CISCO RECERTIFY
Learn everything about recertifications.
Recertify! What Needs to be done?
Cisco certifications are valid for three years, and professionals must recertify before they expire to maintain their active status. Here’s how you can recertify:
How it Works
Understand the certification timeline
Meet the recertification requirements
Decide how you want to recertify
Track your recertification status
Associate certification exams
Exam only (Choose one option):
- Pass any one associate-level exam
- Pass any one professional-level concentration exam
- Pass one technology core exam
- Pass any one expert-level written exam
- Pass any one expert-level lab or practical exam
Combining exams with Continuing Education (CE) credits:
- Earn 30 CE credits
Specialist recertification
Exam only (Choose one option):
- Pass any one professional-level concentration exam
- Pass one technology core exam
- Pass any one expert-level written exam
- Pass any one expert-level lab or practical exam
Combining exams with Continuing Education (CE) credits:
- Earn 40 CE credits
Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) recertification
Exam only (Choose one option):
- Pass the current CCDE written exam
- Pass any one expert-level lab or practical exam
- Pass any three separate professional-level concentration exams
- Pass one technology core exam and pass any one professional-level concentration exam
- Pass any two technology core exams
Combining exams with Continuing Education (CE) credits (Choose one option):
- Earn 120 CE credits
- Earn 40 CE credits AND pass one technology core exam
- Earn 40 CE credits AND pass any two separate professional-level concentration exams
- Earn 80 CE credits AND pass any one professional-level concentration exam
CCST recertification does not apply
Recertifications FAQs
No, Cisco does not provide extensions. If you have an active certification, it’s your responsibility to recertify on time.
You can retake the exam for the same cost, unless you purchased CCNA Exam Safeguard. However, there is a wait period between the original attempt and a retest:
- If you fail an Entry, Associate, Professional, Specialist or CCDE Written exam, you must wait five calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before you can retest for the same exam.
- If you fail an expert-level lab or practical exam, you must wait 30 calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before you can schedule for the same exam.
- If you fail an online, unproctored Cisco (700-xxx series) exam, you must wait 48 hours after the failed attempt before you can retest for the same exam.
- You must wait a minimum of 180 days before taking the same passed Associate, Professional, Specialist, CCDE Written, or online, unproctored Cisco (700-xxx series) exam with an identical exam number.
- Once you pass any expert-level lab or practical exam, you cannot retake it unless your status becomes “inactive.”
Cisco sends recertification email reminders to the address in your certification profile at 90, 60, and 30 days before your certification expires.
- If you have an active Associate, Professional, or Specialist certification, update your profile on the Cisco Certification Tracking System.
- If you have an active Expert certification, update your profile on the CCIE Tracker.
We’re ready let's talk
Do You Have More Questions? We're delighted to assist you!