Looking to get certified?
You’re in the right place. Learn everything you need to know about scheduling an exam, tracking your status, maintaining your certifications, and more. Questions? Check out our answers to frequent questions.
What testing is like
Written exams are either unproctored or proctored. Unproctored exams are online "open-book.” Proctored exams are timed and delivered in a secure environment. Most core exams last from 90 minutes to 2 hours. After you’ve finished your testing session, you’ll receive a score report that includes a score for each exam section and the passing score for the given exam.
Lab or practical exams typically last 8 hours. These exams are Pass or Fail. Your results are available online within 48 hours. Log in to the certification tracking system to see them.
How to pay for an exam
Written exams
Individuals
Pay with credit card
Use your credit card when you register with Pearson VUE. You can also redeem exam vouchers.
Organizations
Pay with exam vouchers
Cisco customers and learning partners can redeem Cisco Learning Credits for exam vouchers.
Lab or practical exams
You can find CCIE lab exam payment, cost, and registration information on the CCIE/CCDE Book Your Exam resource page.
Acknowledge agreement before you begin
Before you answer any exam questions, you must acknowledge the Cisco Certifications and Confidentiality Agreement.
Signing this legal agreement is required. If you do not acknowledge this confidentiality agreement, you will not be able to proceed with the exam or receive a refund.
What happens after you pass
Look for an email for your required next steps.
Within 24 hours of passing your certification exam, you will receive an email with instructions on the next steps. Complete these steps to receive your certification.
The Cisco Certification Tracking System records exam and certification status. Keep your profile and contact information up to date to receive notifications about your certification.
After you are notified that you’ve been certified, you are authorized to use the logo associated with the specific certification you have achieved. Before using a logo, you must read and acknowledge the Cisco Certifications Logo Agreement. You can download the logo in your profile within the Certifications Tracking System.
Certification kit
The email you receive after passing your exam will also include instructions for receiving your certification kit. Each kit includes the following items:
- PDF version of your certificate
- Certification logo available for download through your profile
- Option for a printed certificate to be shipped to you (allow 6-8 weeks for shipping)
- Digital badge of the Certification logo (through Acclaim)
For information about the CCIE or CCDE certification kit, visit the Cisco Expert certification benefits page.
How to track your status
The Cisco Certification Tracking System records your exam and certification status. Keep your profile and contact information up to date to receive notifications about your certification.
You can schedule, reschedule, and cancel exams, and more from this system.
Popular exams
200-301 CCNA v1.0
Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions
This exam tests your knowledge and skills of network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, automation, and programmability.
200-901 DEVSAC v1.0
Developing Applications and Automating Workflows using Cisco Platforms
This exam certifies your knowledge of software development and design, including understanding and using APIs, Cisco platforms and development, application development and security, and infrastructure and automation.
200-201 CBROPS v1.1
Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals
This exam certifies your knowledge and skills of security concepts and monitoring, host-based and network intrusion analysis, and security policies and procedures.
350-401 ENCOR v1.1
Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies
This exam verifies that you know how to implement core enterprise network technologies, including dual stack (IPv4 and IPv6) architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and automation.
Frequently asked questions
Pricing varies by exam type. Look for the exam you want to take in the following table.
| Level | Exam | Price in $ USD, plus tax |
| Entry level exams | Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST Cybersecurity) Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST Networking) | $125 |
| Associate-level exams | Cisco Certified Network Associate: Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA 200-301) Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS 200-201) Cisco Certified DevNet Associate: Developing Applications and Automating Workflows Using Cisco Platforms (DEVASC 200-901) | $300 |
| Professional-level exams | CCNP core exam (350-xxx) | $400 |
| CCNP concentration exams (300-xxx) | $300 | |
| Expert-level exams | CCDE Written Exam (400-007) | $450 |
| CCIE Lab and CCDE Practical exams | $1,600 | |
| Specialist-level exams | Specialist Certification exams (500-xxx) | $300 |
| Business Specialist Written Level 2 exams (820-xxx) | $250 | |
| Channel Partner exams | Sales Readiness exams (500-xxx) (700-xxx) | $80 |
Visit Pearson VUE for an expanded list of countries, currency, and exams.
You can access free introductory IT courses through Cisco Networking Academy, at Skillsforall.com. These courses will prepare you for Entry-level networking certifications, and it’s a great way to determine whether a CCNA certification is right for you. You can also access free webinars, tutorials, and more with Cisco U., our new learning platform.
For Entry, Associate, Professional, Specialist, or CCDE written exams, you can retake the same exam after waiting five calendar days, beginning the day after you’ve taken the exam.
For CCIE or CCDE written exams, you can retake the same exam after waiting 15 calendar days, beginning the day after you’ve taken the exam.
The policies for retaking exams depend on the exam:
- If you fail an Entry, Associate, Professional, Specialist, or CCDE written exam, you must wait five calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before retaking the same exam.
- If you fail an Expert-level lab or practical exam, you must wait 30 calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before retaking the same exam.
- If you fail an online, unproctored Cisco (700-xxx series) exam, you must wait 48 hours after the failed attempt before retaking the same exam.
- You must wait a minimum of 180 days before taking the same passed Associate, Professional, Specialist, CCDE written, or online, unproctored Cisco (700-xxx series) exam with the identical exam number.
- Once passed, you cannot retake any Expert-level lab or practical exam unless your certification status becomes inactive.
Yes, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible testing experience for all our users. If you require testing accommodations, please contact us before taking the test, and we will work with you to determine the appropriate accommodations. We may require additional documentation or information to ensure that we can provide the best accommodations possible. You can request all accommodations for Associate, Professional, and Specialist exam appointments.
For CCIE Lab exam appointments, please request your accommodation appointment at the CCIE Portal (a CSCO ID is required). You’ll receive a CSCO ID when you register for a Cisco exam.
No, we do not charge additional fees for testing accommodations. We believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to showcase their abilities and skills. We are dedicated to making that a reality through our commitment to accessibility and accommodation.
You can read our Cisco accessibility statement. Please contact us for information at ciscou-accessibility@cisco.com.
Even after an exam is retired, active certifications based on that exam will remain valid until their individual expiration dates. Retired exams will no longer be available for certifying or recertifying.