Expert

CCDE

The Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE®) certification is one of the highest technical networking certifications offered by Cisco.

The qualification continually updates and revises its testing tools and methodologies to ensure program quality, relevance, and value. Through rigorous written and practical exams, the CCDE certification program sets the standard for network design expertise.

Cisco introduced the CCDE certification to recognise senior-level network designers and to assist the industry in distinguishing the top tier of networking design experts worldwide.

Requirements for Certification

CCDE certification is intended for professionals who have day-to-day responsibility for designing complex, converged IP networks. Candidates are strongly encouraged to have at least seven years of networking experience and a thorough understanding of network infrastructure principles and design topics.

There are no formal prerequisites for CCDE certification. Cisco CCDA and CCDP certifications focus on developing solid network design skills and are recommended as a path to CCDE, but they are not mandatory prerequisites. No specific training or other professional certifications are required.

Step One: CCDE Written Exam

The 2-hour, written qualification exam covers network design in the areas of routing, tunneling, Quality of Service (QoS), management, cost, capacity, and security. You must pass the written exam before you are eligible to schedule the CCDE practical exam.

CCDE Written Exam - 352-001

Step Two: CCDE Practical Exam

The 8-hour practical exam tests your ability to perform design analysis, justify design requirements, and develop a design implementation based on best practices. Only candidates that have a passing score on the CCDE Written Exam may register for the CCDE Practical Exam.

CCDE Lab Exam

CCDE Recertification

A CCDE is valid for two years.  To recertify, pass ONE of the following before the certification expiration date:

  • 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
 

CCIE Data Center

CCIE Data Center certifies the expert-level skills required to plan, prepare, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot complex data center networks. Professionals who achieve CCIE Data Center certification have demonstrated their technical skills at the highest level.

Requirements for Certification

Strong technical skills are assumed at the expert level, and CCIE candidates are encouraged to use Cisco authorized training to fill any gaps, before attempting certification. CCNA and CCNP focus on developing a solid foundation and are strongly recommended as a path to CCIE, but are not mandatory prerequisites. You are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics in the exam topics and are strongly encouraged to have three to five years of job experience before attempting certification.

Step One: CCIE Data Center Written Exam

You must pass the two-hour, written qualification exam covering concepts and equipment commands related to packet-based networking infrastructure, before you are eligible to schedule the lab exam.

CCIE Data Center Written Exam - 350-080 - available 3rd September 2012

Step Two: CCIE Data Center Practical Exam

The eight-hour lab exam tests your ability to configure actual equipment and get a service provider network running in a timed test situation. You must make an initial attempt of the CCIE lab exam within 18 months of passing the CCIE written exam. If you do not pass the lab exam within three years of passing the written exam, you must retake the written exam before being allowed to attempt the lab exam again

CCIE Data Center Lab Exam

CCIE Recertification

To maintain active status, every 24-months CCIEs are required to pass one of the following before the certification expiration date:

  • 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.
  • CCIE certification automatically extends other Cisco Certifications, such as CCNP or CCNA.
  • Candidates can only apply one passed written exam towards recertification for every 24 month recertification period.
  • If your CCIE recertification requirements are not completed on or before the certification's expiration date, your CCIE certification will be suspended for one year. Candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam. If a candidate does not recertify prior to the one year deadline and your employer will be notified. Suspended candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam or practical lab before their expert level certification becomes permanently inactive. Inactive CCIE professionals lose all benefits and must pass both the CCIE written and lab or CCDE written or practical exams again.
  • Achieving or recertifying CCIE automatically extends your active Entry, Associate, Professional or other Expert level certification(s), or Specialist certifications up to the expiration date of the latest CCIE, CCDE or CCAr certification achieved.
  • Be sure to use the same ID number you were assigned for your original qualification exam to ensure your profile is updated accurately. If you have any questions about which ID number to use, contact CCIE support.
 

CCIE Routing and Switching

Validates the skills required of expert-level network engineers to plan, operate and troubleshoot complex, converged network infrastructure.

Requirements for Certification

There are no actual prerequisites for CCIE certification. Other professional certifications or training courses are not required. Candidates must first pass a written qualification exam followed by a hands-on lab exam. It is recommended that candidates should have a minimum of three to five years of job experience before attempting certification.

Step One: CCIE Routing and Switching Written Exam

You must pass the two-hour, written qualification exam which covers networking concepts and some equipment commands before you are eligible to schedule the lab exam.

CCIE Written Exam - 350-001

Step Two: CCIE Routing and Switching Lab Exam

The eight-hour lab exam tests your ability to configure actual equipment and troubleshoot the network in a timed test situation. You must make an initial attempt of the CCIE lab exam within 18 months of passing the CCIE written exam. If you do not pass the lab exam within three years of passing the written exam, you must retake the written exam before being allowed to attempt the lab exam again.

CCIE Lab Exam

CCIE Recertification

To maintain active status, every 24-months CCIEs are required to pass one of the following before the certification expiration date:

  • 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.
  • CCIE certification automatically extends other Cisco Certifications, such as CCNP or CCNA.
  • Candidates can only apply one passed written exam towards recertification for every 24 month recertification period.
  • If your CCIE recertification requirements are not completed on or before the certification's expiration date, your CCIE certification will be suspended for one year. Candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam. If a candidate does not recertify prior to the one year deadline and your employer will be notified. Suspended candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam or practical lab before their expert level certification becomes permanently inactive. Inactive CCIE professionals lose all benefits and must pass both the CCIE written and lab or CCDE written or practical exams again.
  • Achieving or recertifying CCIE automatically extends your active Entry, Associate, Professional or other Expert level certification(s), or Specialist certifications up to the expiration date of the latest CCIE, CCDE or CCAr certification achieved.
  • Be sure to use the same ID number you were assigned for your original qualification exam to ensure your profile is updated accurately. If you have any questions about which ID number to use, contact CCIE support.
 

CCIE Security

The CCIE Security Program is intended for Network Professionals who have the knowledge and skills to implement, maintain and support extensive Cisco Network Security Solutions using the latest industry best practices and technologies.

Requirements for CCIE Security Certification

There are no formal prerequisites for CCIE certification. Other professional certifications or training courses are not required. Instead, candidates must first pass a written qualification exam and then the corresponding hands-on lab exam. You are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics in the exam blueprints and strongly encouraged to have three to five years of job experience before attempting certification. You can review the exam preparation materials included on this page for more information.

Step One: CCIE Security Written Exam

You must pass the two-hour, written qualification exam covering networking concepts and some equipment commands before you are eligible to schedule the lab exam.

CCIE Security Written Exam - 350-018

Step Two: CCIE Security Lab Exam

The eight-hour lab exam tests your ability to get a secure network running in a timed test situation. You must make an initial attempt of the CCIE lab exam within 18 months of passing the CCIE written exam. If you do not pass the lab exam within three years of passing the written exam, you must retake the written exam before being allowed to attempt the lab exam again.

CCIE Security Lab Exam

CCIE Recertification

To maintain active status, every 24-months CCIEs are required to pass one of the following before the certification expiration date:

  • 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.
  • CCIE certification automatically extends other Cisco Certifications, such as CCNP or CCNA.
  • Candidates can only apply one passed written exam towards recertification for every 24 month recertification period.
  • If your CCIE recertification requirements are not completed on or before the certification's expiration date, your CCIE certification will be suspended for one year. Candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam. If a candidate does not recertify prior to the one year deadline and your employer will be notified. Suspended candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam or practical lab before their expert level certification becomes permanently inactive. Inactive CCIE professionals lose all benefits and must pass both the CCIE written and lab or CCDE written or practical exams again.
  • Achieving or recertifying CCIE automatically extends your active Entry, Associate, Professional or other Expert level certification(s), or Specialist certifications up to the expiration date of the latest CCIE, CCDE or CCAr certification achieved.
  • Be sure to use the same ID number you were assigned for your original qualification exam to ensure your profile is updated accurately. If you have any questions about which ID number to use, contact CCIE support.
 

CCIE Service Provider

Cisco CCIE Service Provider certifies expert-level knowledge and skill for building an extensible Service Provider infrastructure to deliver rich managed services.

Requirements for CCIE Service Provider Certification

There are no formal prerequisites for CCIE certification. Other professional certifications or training courses are not required. Instead, candidates must first pass a written qualification exam and then the corresponding hands-on lab exam. You are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics in the exam blueprints and strongly encouraged to have three to five years of job experience before attempting certification. You can review the exam preparation materials included on this page for more information.

Step One: CCIE Service Provider Written Exam

You must pass the two-hour, written qualification exam covering concepts and equipment commands related to packet-based networking infrastructure, before you are eligible to schedule the lab exam.

CCIE Service Provide Written Exam - 350-029

Step Two: CCIE Service Provider Lab Exam

The eight-hour lab exam tests your ability to configure actual equipment and get a service provider network running in a timed test situation. You must make an initial attempt of the CCIE lab exam within 18 months of passing the CCIE written exam. If you do not pass the lab exam within three years of passing the written exam, you must retake the written exam before being allowed to attempt the lab exam again.

CCIE Service Provider Lab Exam

CCIE Recertification

To maintain active status, every 24-months CCIEs are required to pass one of the following before the certification expiration date:

  • 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.
  • CCIE certification automatically extends other Cisco Certifications, such as CCNP or CCNA.
  • Candidates can only apply one passed written exam towards recertification for every 24 month recertification period.
  • If your CCIE recertification requirements are not completed on or before the certification's expiration date, your CCIE certification will be suspended for one year. Candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam. If a candidate does not recertify prior to the one year deadline and your employer will be notified. Suspended candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam or practical lab before their expert level certification becomes permanently inactive. Inactive CCIE professionals lose all benefits and must pass both the CCIE written and lab or CCDE written or practical exams again.
  • Achieving or recertifying CCIE automatically extends your active Entry, Associate, Professional or other Expert level certification(s), or Specialist certifications up to the expiration date of the latest CCIE, CCDE or CCAr certification achieved.
  • Be sure to use the same ID number you were assigned for your original qualification exam to ensure your profile is updated accurately. If you have any questions about which ID number to use, contact CCIE support.
 

CCIE Service Provider Operations

Cisco CCIE Service Provider Operations certifies expert-level knowledge and skills associated with the operation and maintenance of complex service provider IP NGN networks in both IOS and IOS-XR operating environments.

Requirements for Certification

Strong technical skills are assumed at the expert level, and CCIE candidates are encouraged to use Cisco authorized training to fill any gaps, before attempting certification. CCNA and CCNP focus on developing a solid foundation and are strongly recommended as a path to CCIE, but are not mandatory prerequisites. You are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics in the exam topics and are strongly encouraged to have three to five years of job experience before attempting certification. You can review the exam preparation materials included on this page for more information.

Step One: CCIE Service Provider Operations Written Exam

You must pass the two-hour, written qualification exam covering concepts and equipment commands related to packet-based networking infrastructure, before you are eligible to schedule the lab exam.

CCIE Service Provider Operations Written Exam - 350-060

Step Two: CCIE Service Provider Operations Practical Exam

The eight-hour practical exam tests your ability to configure actual equipment and get a service provider network running in a timed test situation. You must make an initial attempt of the CCIE lab exam within 18 months of passing the CCIE written exam. If you do not pass the lab exam within three years of passing the written exam, you must retake the written exam before being allowed to attempt the lab exam again.

CCIE Service Provider Lab Exam

CCIE Recertification

To maintain active status, every 24-months CCIEs are required to pass one of the following before the certification expiration date:

  • 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.
  • CCIE certification automatically extends other Cisco Certifications, such as CCNP or CCNA.
  • Candidates can only apply one passed written exam towards recertification for every 24 month recertification period.
  • If your CCIE recertification requirements are not completed on or before the certification's expiration date, your CCIE certification will be suspended for one year. Candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam. If a candidate does not recertify prior to the one year deadline and your employer will be notified. Suspended candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam or practical lab before their expert level certification becomes permanently inactive. Inactive CCIE professionals lose all benefits and must pass both the CCIE written and lab or CCDE written or practical exams again.
  • Achieving or recertifying CCIE automatically extends your active Entry, Associate, Professional or other Expert level certification(s), or Specialist certifications up to the expiration date of the latest CCIE, CCDE or CCAr certification achieved.
  • Be sure to use the same ID number you were assigned for your original qualification exam to ensure your profile is updated accurately. If you have any questions about which ID number to use, contact CCIE support.
 

CCIE Storage Networking

Requirements for Certification

There are no formal prerequisites for CCIE certification. Other professional certifications or training courses are not required. Instead, candidates must first pass a written qualification exam and then the corresponding hands-on lab exam. You are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics in the exam blueprints and strongly encouraged to have three to five years of job experience before attempting certification. You can review the exam preparation materials included on this page for more information.

CCIE Storage Networking certifies expert-level knowledge of intelligent storage solutions using multiple transport options over long distances.

Step One: CCIE Storage Networking Written Exam

You must pass the two-hour, written qualification exam which covers storage networking concepts, features, design, applications, management and device operations before you are eligible to schedule the lab exam.

CCIE Storage Networking Written Exam - 350-040

Step Two: CCIE Storage Networking Lab Exam

The eight-hour lab exam tests your ability to get the storage area network running in a timed test situation. You must pass the lab within three years of passing the written to achieve certification. Your first lab attempt must be made within 18 months.

CCIE Storage Lab Exam

CCIE Recertification

To maintain active status, every 24-months CCIEs are required to pass one of the following before the certification expiration date:

  • 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.
  • CCIE certification automatically extends other Cisco Certifications, such as CCNP or CCNA.
  • Candidates can only apply one passed written exam towards recertification for every 24 month recertification period.
  • If your CCIE recertification requirements are not completed on or before the certification's expiration date, your CCIE certification will be suspended for one year. Candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam. If a candidate does not recertify prior to the one year deadline and your employer will be notified. Suspended candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam or practical lab before their expert level certification becomes permanently inactive. Inactive CCIE professionals lose all benefits and must pass both the CCIE written and lab or CCDE written or practical exams again.
  • Achieving or recertifying CCIE automatically extends your active Entry, Associate, Professional or other Expert level certification(s), or Specialist certifications up to the expiration date of the latest CCIE, CCDE or CCAr certification achieved.
  • Be sure to use the same ID number you were assigned for your original qualification exam to ensure your profile is updated accurately. If you have any questions about which ID number to use, contact CCIE support.
 

CCIE Wireless

Candidates who pass the CCIE Wireless certification exams demonstrate broad theoretical knowledge of wireless networking and a solid understanding of wireless local area networking (WLAN) technologies.

Requirements for Certification

There are no formal prerequisites for CCIE certification. Other professional certifications or training courses are not required. Instead, candidates must first pass a written qualification exam and then the corresponding hands-on lab exam. You are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics in the exam blueprints and strongly encouraged to have three to five years of job experience before attempting certification. You can review the exam preparation materials included on this page for more information.

Step One: CCIE Wireless Written Exam

You must pass the two-hour, written qualification exam covering concepts and equipment commands before you are eligible to schedule the lab exam.

CCIE Wireless Written Exam - 350-050

Step Two: CCIE Wireless Lab Exam

The eight-hour lab exam confirms that you have the job skills and technical knowledge required of a wireless expert-level network professional. You must make an initial attempt of the CCIE lab exam within 18 months of passing the CCIE written exam. If you do not pass the lab exam within three years of passing the written exam, you must retake the written exam before being allowed to attempt the lab exam again.

CCIE Wireless Lab Exam

CCIE Recertification

To maintain active status, every 24-months CCIEs are required to pass one of the following before the certification expiration date:

  • 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.
  • CCIE certification automatically extends other Cisco Certifications, such as CCNP or CCNA.
  • Candidates can only apply one passed written exam towards recertification for every 24 month recertification period.
  • If your CCIE recertification requirements are not completed on or before the certification's expiration date, your CCIE certification will be suspended for one year. Candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam. If a candidate does not recertify prior to the one year deadline and your employer will be notified. Suspended candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam or practical lab before their expert level certification becomes permanently inactive. Inactive CCIE professionals lose all benefits and must pass both the CCIE written and lab or CCDE written or practical exams again.
  • Achieving or recertifying CCIE automatically extends your active Entry, Associate, Professional or other Expert level certification(s), or Specialist certifications up to the expiration date of the latest CCIE, CCDE or CCAr certification achieved.
  • Be sure to use the same ID number you were assigned for your original qualification exam to ensure your profile is updated accurately. If you have any questions about which ID number to use, contact CCIE support.
 

CCIE Voice

Certified CCIE Voice experts are capable of building and configuring complex end-to-end telephony networks, troubleshooting and resolving VoIP-related problems and ensuring quality of service using in-depth understanding of Layer 2 and 3 network infrastructure. Successful certification candidates will possess the skill to help companies accelerate business processes, increase productivity, and speed innovation.

Requirements for CCIE Voice Certification

There are no formal prerequisites for CCIE certification. Other professional certifications or training courses are not required. Instead, candidates must first pass a written qualification exam and then the corresponding hands-on lab exam. You are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics in the exam blueprints and strongly encouraged to have three to five years of job experience before attempting certification. You can review the exam preparation materials included on this page for more information.

Step One: CCIE Voice Written Exam

You must pass the two-hour, written qualification exam covering those technologies and applications that comprise a Cisco Enterprise VoIP solution before you are eligible to schedule the lab exam.

CCIE Voice Written Exam - 350-030

Step Two: CCIE Voice Lab Exam

The eight-hour lab exam tests your ability to get the VoIP solution operating in a timed test situation. You must make an initial attempt of the CCIE lab exam within 18 months of passing the CCIE written exam. If you do not pass the lab exam within three years of passing the written exam, you must retake the written exam before being allowed to attempt the lab exam again.

CCIE Recertification

To maintain active status, every 24-months CCIEs are required to pass one of the following before the certification expiration date:

  • 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.
  • CCIE certification automatically extends other Cisco Certifications, such as CCNP or CCNA.
  • Candidates can only apply one passed written exam towards recertification for every 24 month recertification period.
  • If your CCIE recertification requirements are not completed on or before the certification's expiration date, your CCIE certification will be suspended for one year. Candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam. If a candidate does not recertify prior to the one year deadline and your employer will be notified. Suspended candidates have one year to recertify their CCIE certification by passing the required written exam or practical lab before their expert level certification becomes permanently inactive. Inactive CCIE professionals lose all benefits and must pass both the CCIE written and lab or CCDE written or practical exams again.
  • Achieving or recertifying CCIE automatically extends your active Entry, Associate, Professional or other Expert level certification(s), or Specialist certifications up to the expiration date of the latest CCIE, CCDE or CCAr certification achieved.
  • Be sure to use the same ID number you were assigned for your original qualification exam to ensure your profile is updated accurately. If you have any questions about which ID number to use, contact CCIE support.