Cisco certification validates an individual's achievement. In this
fast-paced Internet economy, re-certification is a tangible indication
— to IT professionals and the organizations that employ them — that the
certification holder has kept up with current trends in technology.
Cisco Career Certifications at the Associate and Professional level
(CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP) are valid for three years. CCIE and
Specializations are valid for two years. Valid certifications may be
renewed indefinitely. Without timely renewal, certifications expire or
become inactive.
Understanding the Rationale
By using limited-term certifications — an offering an exam-based
re-certification process — Cisco assures that certification holders
have not only met high standards, but also kept their skills up to date
.
Re-certification has been part of the Cisco Career Certification
program sine 1997, when CCIE re-certification was implemented. It is
now being implemented for the Professional and Associate levels and for
Specializations. A re-certification policy — with time limits on
certifications and a way to renew them — keeps certification status
relevant during a time of rapidly changing technology.
Re-certification - How and Why
To renew certifications, holders must register for — and pass — the
appropriate Cisco re-certification exams. Re-certification exams are
offered on a regular basis at locations throughout the world. Valid
certifications may be renewed indefinitely. For CCIE certificate
holders, renewal requires passing a re-certification test and also
attending specific sessions at Networkers conferences.
For CCNA and CCDA, the re-certification exam is simply the current version of the appropriate exam.
At
the Professional level, there is a re-certification exam for CCFNP and
a different one for DDCP. Questions for these exams are drawn from the
several exams currently in use for that certification.
For
Specializations, the re-certification exam is simply the current
version of the appropriate exam. (For Network Management, there are two
exams).
People re-certify for the following reasons:
They
cannot afford not to. Once a certification has expired, it can no
longer be used on a resume or business card. An inactive CCIE
certification revokes CCIE privileges.
Associates
and Professional need a valid certification at one level to attain one
at a higher level. A valid CCNA, for example is required when someone
registers for the CCNP exam.
They
don't want to start over. Because expired certifications cannot be
renewed, their holders must go through the entire exam process to
regain them. For CCIE re-certification policy, see www.cisco.com/go/ccie.
About the Cisco Career Certifications Tracking System
This password-protected database, available from the Cisco Certification site (www.cisco.com/go/certifications),
contains contact information, exam history, and certification progress
for Associate and Professional certificate holders in the Cisco Career
Certifications program.
Steps to Associate and Professional Re-certification:
Keep your contact information current.
Check and update your personal information in the Cisco Career
Certifications Tracking System on the Certification site. Select
Tracking System from the bar on the left, navigate to the login screen,
and enter your login ID and password. (Cisco uses the information in
this database to notify you about expiring certificates).
Monitor your certification.
Check the expiration date of your certification on the Cisco Career
Certifications Tracking System.
Prepare for the re-certification exam.
Review the exam outlines on the Certification site and, if necessary,
enroll in the recommended courses.
Register in advance.
Check the exam dates on the Certification site and register online.
Plan ahead so you have time to pass the re-certification exam before
your certification expires.
Review and acknowledge the agreement.
Review the updated version of the Cisco Career Certifications Agreement
posted on the Certification site. Then go to the Cisco Career
Certifications Tracking System to acknowledge the agreement
electronically.
Take the exam.
When you pass a re-certification exam, you receive a new certificate
and wallet card.
