All Certifications, except for CCAr, requires the passing of one or more theoretical exams offered by Pearson VUE.
CCIE Certifications also require a hands-on exam administered at special labs around the world.
Technicians work closely with the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to quickly and efficiently resolve support incidents.
Previously, specialized tracks required passing and maintaining a CCNA certification, but with the expiration of the 640 series tests this is no longer the case.
The CCDA exam (200-310 DESGN) requires a CCENT at a minimum, though either CCNA or CCIE will serve as a prerequisite, as well SWITCH-level knowledge of Cisco-based LANs.
Collaboration engineers focus on the deployment and support of voice, video, and live text communication solutions across IP networks.
[17] Retired on February 23, 2020 [18] The CCNA Cyber Ops certification prepares candidates to begin a career working with associate-level cybersecurity analysts within security operations centers.
By remaining compliant, the CCNA Security program provides the required training for network security professionals who assist private sector entities and federal agencies of the United States, protects their information and aid in the defense of the United States IT infrastructure.
Candidates who have passed the CCNA Security will receive a letter of recognition acknowledging they have met the CNSS 4011 training requirements.
The class, "Building Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation Networks" is delivered in two parts.
Part 2 is a 5-day instructor-led course that provides knowledge of network construction and IP NGN architecture.
[33][34] The CCNP validates the ability to plan, implement, verify, and troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks and work collaboratively with specialists on advanced security, voice, wireless, and video solutions.
In July 2014, Cisco released version 2.0 of the CCNP exams and training courses, "to reflect the alignment with changing industry job roles and the addition of new study materials.
Required exams: Retired on February 23, 2020 [49] Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert represents Cisco's highest certification, comprising seven tracks at present, tracks are updated and retired frequently and are aligned to industry's latest technologies and trends.
Fewer than 3% of Cisco-certified individuals attain CCIE certification and, on average, spend thousands of dollars and 18 months studying before passing.
As of July 2014, the CCIE Lab costs $1600 per attempt and ten Cisco locations offer it worldwide.
According to a Cisco survey, $9050 represents the average cost to prepare for CCIE certification as of April 2006, which gets spent mostly on practice equipment and study material.
[56] No formal prerequisites currently exist for the CCIE written exam, but Cisco recommends at least 3–5 years networking experience.
The associate and professional Certifications recognized the fact that CCIE is overkill for many networking personnel.
Adam McCombs cited this qualification as "essentially a PhD in the internet" in Season 1 Episode 10 of Shark Tank.
[60] The Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) certification assesses the experience and competency of network designers who can support the increasingly complex networks of global organizations and effectively translate business strategies into technical strategies.
Candidates are asked to modify their proposals "on the fly," based on additional requirements presented by the board.
Prerequisites include a CCDE certification, approximately 10 years of industry experience, and acceptance into the program via an application process.
CCDE supplies a vendor-neutral curriculum, testing business requirements analysis, design, planning, and validation practices.
CCDE certified individuals can use CCIE qualification exams to re-certify and vice versa.
A CCDE can demonstrate an ability to develop solutions which address planning, design, integration, optimization, operations, security, and ongoing support focused at the infrastructure level.
Many have reputed that the lab exam seems as much a test of time management and planning as of technical expertise.
One must make configurations on the Windows Server environment, a CallManager web-based GUI, and the IOS command line.
After protest from current and aspirant CCIE Voice holders, whom argued that the differences remain too few to warrant retiring the track with no option to transition to the new track, Cisco offered a transition path for existing Voice holders.
The Cisco CCIE Service Provider (CCIE SP) certification validates expert level skills required of a Network Engineer to configure, build, troubleshoot, and optimize a complex highly available Service Provider IP NGN core infrastructure.