Cisco Recertification Policy
Cisco Recertification
Despite having a great value In IT certification field, Cisco Certifications have a drawback too. They expire. Yes, you read it right. All the certifications provided by Cisco will expire with the time. There is a time limit in each and every Cisco Certifications. Yes, on expert levels too.
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Why certifications expire?
Well, Cisco says that technology is changing very fast. Every year something new comes up. So whether you like it or not, you will have to learn about those techs. That’s why Cisco keeps adding new modules in current exams and removes outdated techs or anything that is not important now. That is why most of the certifications expire in 3 or 2 years and you will have to recertify those. Take a look at certification expiry duration.
| Certification | Duration |
|---|---|
| Entry-level, Associate-level, and Professional level | 3 years |
| All CCIE certifications | 2 years |
| Specialist certifications | 2 years |
| Cisco Certified Architect | 5 years |
And you will have to repay for your certification. There are many ways of recertification. Let’s go through a few of them.
Cisco Recertification Policy
It is not always good to put an expired certificate on you resume but you can mention it if you see that as an achievement. Knowledge never expires and that’s what matters the most.
Renewal of Entry/ Associate level exams
Entry level certificates can be renewed by either taking the same exam or going for the higher level of certification. For example, if you have a CCNA R&S certification that is going to expire soon, you can either give CCNA Security or any other CCNA level exam.
Second, if you don’t want to take the associate level exam, go for the professional level. Clear any one of CCNP level exam and it will renew you CCNA level Certification.
Third, you can also go for CCIE level of exams. It will also renew your CCNA. You can directly go for CCIE because there is no prerequisite in CCIE (some of them have).
In short to recertify or renewal of CCNA certifications,
- Pass any current Associate-level exam except for ICND1 exam, or
- Pass any current 642-XXX Professional-level or any 300-XXX Professional-level exam, or
- Pass any current 642-XXX Cisco Specialist exam (excluding Sales Specialist exams or Meeting Place Specialist exams, Implementing Cisco Tele Presence Installations (ITI) exams, Cisco Leading Virtual Classroom Instruction exams, or any 650 online exams), or
- Pass any current CCIE Written Exam, or
- Pass the current CCDE Written Exam OR current CCDE Practical Exam, or
- Pass the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review to extend lower certifications
Renewal of Professional Level Certifications
Professional level certifications can be renewed either by taking the same exam or by going for the higher level of certifications i.e. if you have a CCNP R&S certification that will expire in one year, you can either retake the same exam or go for any CCIE level of certifications. You can also pass any other professional level certification in order to renew you current certification.
Briefly, to recertify, pass ONE of the following before the certification expiration date:
- Pass any current 642-XXX Professional-level or any 300-XXX Professional-level exam, or
- Pass any current CCIE Written Exam, or
- Pass the current CCDE Written Exam OR current CCDE Practical Exam, or
- Pass the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review to extend lower certifications
Renewal of Expert Level Certifications
Yes, the highest level of certifications expires too. Being the highest level of certifications, it can only be renewed by taking any CCIE level of exams. To recertify,
- Pass any current CCIE Written Exam OR CCIE Lab Exam or
- Pass the current CCDE Written Exam OR current CCDE Practical Exam, or
- Pass the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review to extend lower certifications.
That is all you need to know about recertification. Remember to take the recertification exam before your current certification expires. Also, keep in mind that time left in the expiration of any certificate will not be added on passing the higher level of certification. You can always track your certification status.
I am CCNA (R&N) certified ,but I came to know that this certification will expire after 3 years,to extend the validity of this certification should I take all the CCNP exams (routing,switching,troubleshooting) or the 1st stage of CCNP (routing) ?
ie by taking (300-101 ROUTE Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE)) will CCNA (200-120) be extended for another 3 years
Hi Kiran
Yes, CCNA Certification is valid for only 3 Years and after 3 Years you need to recertify your certification.
Now you have two option to recertify your Certification:
1. Take CCNA R&S Certification. (CCNA 200-125)
2. Take Any of the CCNP R&S Exam either Router or Switch.
As mentioned by you yes, if you take 300-101 ROUTE Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE) your CCNA Certification will be extended for 3 years and within 3 years you need to clear One More Exam i.e CCNP Switch.
Why do certifications expire?
Well, Cisco says that technology is changing very fast. Every year something new comes up. So whether you like it or not, you will have to learn about those techs. That’s why Cisco keeps adding new modules in current exams and removes outdated techs or anything that is not important now. That is why most of the certifications expire in 3 or 2 years and you will have to recertify those. Take a look at certification expiry duration.
CCNA Certification Validity: 3 Years
CCNP Certification Validity: 3 Years
CCIE Certification Validity: 2 Years
And you will have to repay for your certification.
You can Check out more details about Recertification Policies from this link: http://www.imedita.com/blog/cisco-recertification-policy/
Although if you are interested in Cisco CCNC, CCNP, CCIE Certification then visit http://www.imedita.com
Hi
I’m certified CCNP R&S right now but my certification will expired in 3 month. Can I take CCNP security (300-206) and my certification will go for another 3 years ?
Thanks for your help
Hi
To recertify, pass ONE of the following before the certification expiration date:
Pass any current 642-XXX Professional-level or any 300-XXX Professional-level exam, or
Pass any current CCIE Written Exam, or
Pass the current CCDE Written Exam OR current CCDE Practical Exam, or
Pass the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review to extend lower certifications.
hi,
i am ccna(R&S) , CCNP(R&S), CCNA(Security) Certified. then 3 years back i received emails from cisco that my certification will expire on next month. so i write 1 paper of ccnp Security (300-206) and all my certifications are become valid for next 3 years.Now today again i receive email from cisco that my all certification will expires on next month. if i write any paper of ccnp security so all my cerification will valid for next 3 years or what i have to do to safe my certificates.
To recertify, pass ONE of the following before the certification expiration date:
Pass any current 642-XXX Professional-level or any 300-XXX Professional-level exam, or
Pass any current CCIE Written Exam, or
Pass the current CCDE Written Exam OR current CCDE Practical Exam, or
Pass the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review to extend lower certifications