Cisco Certification Recertification: CE Credits and Options

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Cisco certifications are a recognized benchmark in the IT networking field, validating expertise across a range of technologies. However, these certifications aren't a "set it and forget it" credential. To maintain their relevance and reflect the constantly evolving technological landscape, Cisco certifications have an expiration date. Recertification is the process of renewing your certification before it expires, ensuring your knowledge remains current and your credential stays active. This typically involves earning Continuing Education (CE) credits or passing specific exams, offering flexibility in how professionals keep their certifications valid.

Recertification Policy for Cisco Certifications

Cisco's recertification policy is designed to ensure that certified professionals keep their skills sharp and up-to-date with current technologies and best practices. Unlike some certifications that might require a complete re-test of the original exam, Cisco offers multiple pathways, acknowledging that professionals learn and grow in various ways. The core principle is that your certification is valid for a set period, usually three years for most associate and professional-level certifications, and a shorter period for some expert-level ones.

If you let your certification expire, it moves into a "suspended" state. During this period, which typically lasts for a short grace period (often 6 months), you still have the opportunity to recertify. However, once that grace period ends, the certification becomes "inactive." At that point, you would need to pass all the required exams again, starting from scratch, to regain the certification. This means that proactive recertification is not just about maintaining your status, but also about avoiding significant rework.

For instance, a CCNA certification is valid for three years. If you hold a CCNA and let it expire, you can't simply take an advanced exam to recertify. You would need to re-pass the current CCNA exam to restore its active status. This policy encourages continuous learning and engagement with Cisco technologies, ensuring that the certification reliably reflects current expertise.

Cisco Continuing Education

Cisco's Continuing Education (CE) program is a flexible pathway for recertification, allowing professionals to earn credits through various learning activities rather than solely relying on passing exams. This program recognizes that practical experience, ongoing training, and participation in the Cisco ecosystem contribute significantly to a professional's skill set. CE credits are a numerical value assigned to approved learning activities.

The types of activities that qualify for CE credits are diverse. They include official Cisco training courses (instructor-led or self-paced), participating in Cisco Live events, completing approved online courses from platforms like Cisco Digital Learning, or even authoring technical content for Cisco. Each activity is assigned a specific number of CE credits upon completion. The primary benefit of the CE program is its flexibility. Professionals can choose activities that align with their career goals or areas where they need to deepen their knowledge, making the recertification process a continuous learning journey rather than a one-time high-stakes exam event.

For example, attending a multi-day Cisco Live conference might earn you a significant number of CE credits, while completing a specialized self-paced course on a new technology could earn a smaller, but still valuable, amount. The key is to select approved activities and ensure you track your progress to claim the credits.

Recertification with Continuing Education Credits

Utilizing CE credits for recertification offers a streamlined approach, particularly for those who are actively engaged in learning and development. The number of CE credits required varies depending on the level of certification you hold. Associate-level certifications, like the CCNA, require fewer credits than professional-level certifications (e.g., CCNP) or expert-level certifications (e.g., CCIE).

Here’s a general breakdown of CE credit requirements:

Certification Level CE Credits Required for Recertification
Associate (e.g., CCNA) 30 CE credits
Professional (e.g., CCNP) 40 CE credits
Expert (e.g., CCIE) 120 CE credits
Specialist 30 CE credits

Note: These numbers are subject to change by Cisco. Always refer to the official Cisco Certification Policy for the most current requirements.

To use CE credits for recertification, you must first complete approved activities. Once completed, you submit proof of completion through the Cisco CE Portal. The credits are then validated and added to your profile. It's crucial to ensure that the activities you choose are indeed approved and that you complete them within your certification's active period. Waiting until the last minute might leave insufficient time for credit processing.

For instance, if you hold a CCNA, you could recertify by completing a combination of, say, a 16-credit self-paced course on network automation and attending a 14-credit virtual workshop on SD-WAN. This totals 30 CE credits, fulfilling the requirement. This method allows you to continuously build skills relevant to your job while simultaneously maintaining your certification.

Cisco Recertification Quick Reference

Navigating the various recertification options can seem complex initially, but a quick reference can clarify the pathways. Fundamentally, you have three primary methods to recertify any active Cisco certification:

  1. Pass an exam: This is the traditional method. You can pass any higher-level qualifying exam, or an equivalent exam within the same certification track. For example, passing a professional-level exam (like a CCNP core or concentration exam) will recertify all your active associate-level certifications, and itself.
  2. Earn Continuing Education (CE) credits: As discussed, this involves accumulating a specified number of credits through approved learning activities.
  3. Combine exams and CE credits: This hybrid approach offers the most flexibility. You can take an exam and also earn CE credits to meet the recertification requirement. For example, a professional-level certification might require 40 CE credits, but you could pass one concentration exam (which might grant 30 CE credits towards recertification) and then earn the remaining 10 CE credits through a course.

Important Considerations:

This quick reference should help in planning your recertification strategy, allowing you to choose the method or combination of methods that best suits your learning style and career trajectory.

Recertification Policy: How to Recertify Cisco Certifications

The overarching goal of Cisco's recertification policy is to ensure that certified professionals maintain a current and relevant skill set. It's not merely about renewing a piece of paper; it's about validating ongoing competence in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The policy applies uniformly across all certification levels, though the specific requirements (like the number of CE credits or the type of exam) differ.

Let's break down the "how-to" for recertifying, focusing on the most common scenarios:

Recertifying an Associate-Level Certification (e.g., CCNA)

To recertify your CCNA, you have a few clear options:

A common scenario for CCNA holders is to pursue a CCNP certification. By passing a CCNP core exam (e.g., ENCOR) or two CCNP concentration exams, they automatically recertify their CCNA for another three years, in addition to earning the new CCNP certification. This is an efficient path for career progression.

Recertifying a Professional-Level Certification (e.g., CCNP)

Recertifying a CCNP requires a higher level of effort, reflecting the advanced knowledge it validates:

For a CCNP holder, a practical approach might be to prepare for a new concentration exam that aligns with emerging technologies or their current job role. Alternatively, for those heavily involved in training or solution design, accumulating CE credits through advanced courses or workshops might be more suitable.

Recertifying an Expert-Level Certification (e.g., CCIE)

CCIE recertification is the most rigorous, reflecting the pinnacle of Cisco certifications:

CCIE professionals often find a blend of methods effective. They might be involved in delivering expert-level training, contributing to Cisco design efforts, or pursuing new CCIE tracks, all of which can contribute to their recertification. The 120 CE credit option allows for significant ongoing learning and contribution.

Cisco Recertification Policy

The overarching Cisco Recertification Policy emphasizes continuous learning and skill validation. It is not just a bureaucratic hurdle but a mechanism to ensure the value and integrity of the Cisco certification program. The policy states that all certifications have a finite lifespan, and active status requires periodic renewal.

A critical aspect of the policy is the "stacking" effect of exams. Passing a higher-level exam automatically recertifies all lower-level active certifications within the same technology track. For example, if you hold a CCNA and then pass a CCNP Enterprise core exam, your CCNA is automatically renewed for three years from the date you passed the CCNP core exam. This tiered recertification ensures that as you advance, your foundational credentials remain current without requiring separate renewal efforts for each.

The policy also outlines grace periods. If a certification expires, it enters a "suspended" state for a limited time (usually six months). During this period, you can still recertify using any of the standard methods. However, if you fail to recertify within this grace period, the certification moves to an "inactive" state, and you must re-earn it by passing the necessary exams from scratch. This distinction is crucial for planning and avoiding the need to restart your certification journey.

Cisco's commitment to the CE program further illustrates its policy of supporting diverse learning paths. By allowing credits from various sources, Cisco acknowledges that professionals gain valuable knowledge not just from exam preparation but also from practical experience, official training, and community engagement. This flexible policy aims to keep certifications relevant to the rapidly changing IT industry while providing clear, achievable pathways for professionals to maintain their validated expertise.

FAQ

How to recertify Cisco certification?

You can recertify your Cisco certification through three primary methods:

  1. Pass a qualifying exam: This could be an exam at the same level, a higher-level exam, or a specialist exam, depending on your current certification.
  2. Earn Continuing Education (CE) credits: Accumulate a specific number of CE credits through approved learning activities like Cisco courses, Cisco Live events, or digital learning.
  3. Combine exams and CE credits: Use a mix of passing an exam and earning CE credits to meet the total recertification requirement.

How many CE credits do I need to recertify my CCNA?

To recertify your CCNA certification, you need to earn 30 Continuing Education (CE) credits. These credits must be obtained through Cisco-approved learning activities and submitted via the Cisco CE Portal before your CCNA certification expires.

What happens if my Cisco certification expires?

If your Cisco certification expires, it enters a "suspended" state for a grace period, typically six months. During this time, you can still recertify using any of the standard methods. If you do not recertify within the suspended period, your certification will become "inactive." Once inactive, you will need to re-earn the certification by passing all the required exams again, effectively starting over.

Conclusion

Cisco certification recertification is an essential process for IT professionals looking to maintain the validity and relevance of their credentials. The policy is designed to encourage continuous learning and skill development, offering flexible pathways through traditional exams, Continuing Education (CE) credits, or a combination of both. Understanding these options and proactively planning your recertification strategy ensures your expertise remains current and recognized in the fast-paced world of networking technology. For anyone holding a Cisco certification, staying informed about expiration dates and available recertification methods is key to sustained professional growth and credibility.

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