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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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 |
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Associate – 3 years |
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| Specialist – 3 years |
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| Professional – 3 years |
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Or
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| CCIE – 3 years |
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Or
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| CCDE – 3 years |
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Or
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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
- For Associate, Professional and Specialist certifications: Update your profile on Cisco Certification Tracking System.
- For Expert certifications: Update your profile on CCIE Tracker.
- Always review the 5-day exam retake policy before scheduling any exam