Recertification Policy

Recertification is an important indicator to you and your employer that you have kept up with current technology trends and validated your skills at the rigorous level of the original certification exam.

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Cisco U.

Tech learning, shaped to you.

Recertification policy update

All certification levels have a three-year recertification requirement. Certified individuals will be able to recertify by completing continuing education activities, taking exams, or a combination of both.

Take an exam

Attend Cisco Live training sessions

Author exam items

Complete online training courses

Complete instructor-led training

Three-year recertification requirement

Certification cycle

Associate, Professional and Expert-level certifications will be active for three years from the date certification is achieved. Certified individuals will be able to recertify by completing continuing education activities, taking exams, or a combination of both. Each time recertification requirements are met the certification active status will be extended for an additional three years. For reference, here's an example of how the recertification cycle works:

  • Certified: Feb 1, 2019, expiration: Feb 1, 2022
  • Recertify: Nov 1, 2019, expiration: Nov 1, 2022
  • Recertify: Aug 1, 2020, expiration: Aug 1, 2023

Expert level certifications are now valid for three years. The suspend status no longer exists. All other recertifications requirements apply.

The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) entry-level certifications are valid for a lifetime and does not have an expiration date, therefore will not require recertification.

How to track your recertification status

Certification holders are responsible for monitoring their certification status.

Visit the Certifications Tracking System to check the status of your Entry, Associate, Specialist, and Professional certifications.

To check the status of your Expert certifications, visit the CCIE/CCDE Tracker.

Recertification requirements

All requirements for recertification must be met by the certification expiration date. Individuals with expired certification(s) must complete the full examination process again to earn active status. Recertification can occur at any time during the active period by advancing to the next level of certifications, earning continuing education credits, or a combination of both.

Certification Level & Duration

Exam Only

Exam and Continuing Education Options

Entry-level Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) certifications are valid for lifetime and will not have an expiration date. Therefore these certifications will not require recertification.
Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) Collaboration, Data Center, and Routing and Switching – 3 years
  • Pass the exam that corresponds to your current certification (CLTECH, DCTECH, or RSTECH), or
  • Pass the current CCNA Composite exam, or 
  • Pass any current Cisco Specialist exam or  
  • Pass any current Technology Core or CCNP Concentration Exam, or  
  • Pass the current CCDE Written Exam, or current CCDE Practical Exam, or CCIE Lab Exam, 
  • Pass the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review to extend lower certifications
  • CE credits are not applicable towards CCT recertification

Associate – 3 years

  • Pass any one associate exam
  • Pass any one professional concentration exam
  • Pass one technology core exam
  • Pass any one expert-level written exam
  • Pass any one expert-level Lab/Practical exam
  • Earn 30 CE credits
Specialist – 3 years
  • Pass any one professional concentration exam
  • Pass one technology core exam
  • Pass any one expert-level written exam
  • Pass any one expert-level Lab/Practical exam
  • Earn 40 CE credits
Professional – 3 years
  • Pass one technology core exam
  • Pass any two separate professional concentration exams
  • Pass any one expert-level written exam
  • Pass any one expert-level Lab/Practical exam
  • Earn 80 CE credits

Or


  • Pass any one professional concentration exam and earn 40 CE credits
CCIE – 3 years
  • Pass the CCDE written exam
  • Pass any one expert-level Lab/Practical exam
  • Pass any three separate professional concentration exams
  • Pass one technology core exam and pass any one professional concentration exam.
    (This is also a CCNP certification if done in the same track.)
  • Pass any two technology core exams
  • Earn 120 CE credits

Or


  • Pass one technology core exam and earn 40 CE credits
  • Pass any two separate professional concentration exams and earn 40 CE credits
  • Pass any one professional concentration exam and earn 80 CE credits
CCDE – 3 years
  • Pass the CCDE written exam
  • Pass any one expert-level Lab/Practical exam
  • Pass any three separate professional concentration exams
  • Pass one technology core exam and pass any one professional concentration exam.
  • Pass any two technology core exams
  • Earn 120 CE credits

Or


  • Pass one technology core exam and earn 40 CE credits
  • Pass any two separate professional concentration exams and earn 40 CE credits
  • Pass any one professional concentration exam and earn 80 CE credits

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Important reminders

  • Cisco does not provide extensions
  • It is your responsibility to recertify on time
  • Recertification email reminders are sent at 90, 60 and 30 days
  • Emails are sent to the address on record in the individual’s profile
  • It is your responsibility to keep your email address up to date
  • Always review the 5-day exam retake policy before scheduling any exam