Cisco certifications are the list of the certifications offered by Cisco. There are four to five (path to network designers) levels of certification: Associate (CCNA/CCDA), Professional (CCNP/CCDP), Expert (CCIE/CCDE), and recently, Architect (CCAr: CCDE previous), as well as nine different paths for the specific technical field; Routing & Switching, Design, Industrial Network, Network Security, Service Provider, Service Provider Operations, Storage Networking, Voice, Datacenter, and Wireless. There are also a number of specialist technicians, sales, business, data center certifications, and CCAI certified instructors (Cisco Academy Instructor).
Paths to Certification The table below shows the different paths and levels for Cisco Certifications. 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.
+ Certification Paths Level Enterprise Infrastructure Enterprise Wireless Collaboration Data Center Security Service Provider Design DevNet Cybersecurity Operations Expert CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure CCIE Enterprise Wireless CCIE Collaboration CCIE Data Center CCIE Security CCIE Service Provider CCDE CCDvE - Professional CCNP Enterprise CCNP Collaboration CCNP Data Center CCNP Security CCNP Service Provider - CCDvP CCCyP Associate CCNA CCDvA CCCyA Entry CCST
As of October 1, 2023, Cisco has altered their certification structure. 2 entry level certificates: CCST 3 associate level certificates: CCNA, Cisco Certified DevNet Associate, and Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate. 7 professional level certificates : Cisco Certified DevNet Professional, CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Collaboration, CCNP Data Center, CCNP Security, CCNP Service Provider, and Cisco Certified CyberOps Professional 8 expert level certificates : CCIE Collaboration, CCIE Data Center, DevNet Expert, CCDE, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCIE Enterprise Wireless, CCIE Security, CCIE Service Provider
As of February 24, 2020, Cisco altered their certification structure. 1 entry level certificate: CCT 3 associate level certificates: CCNA, CC DevNet Associate, and CC CyberOps Associate. 7 professional level certificates : CCNP DevNet, CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Collaboration, CCNP Data Center, CCNP Security, CCNP Service Provider, and CC CyberOps Professional 7 expert level certificates : CCDE, CCIE Infrastructure, CCIE Enterprise Wireless, CCIE Collaboration, CCIE Data Center, CCIE Security, and CCIE Service provider.
Primary Certifications Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician {CCENT} represents the lowest level of certification which covers basic networking knowledge. Until its introduction, CCNA represented the first level of the certification program. It has appropriate use for an entry-level network support position. CCENT certified staff can install, manage and troubleshoot a small enterprise network, including basic network security. The first step towards a CCNA certification must start by having a CCENT. In 2017, Cisco introduced new ICND1 and ICND2 exams (needed for the new CCNA Routing and Switching). ICND1: 100-105 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 v3.0) became the new exam required for CCENT. With this change, CCENT became a sufficient pre-requirement for CCNA Security, CCNA Voice and CCNA Wireless.
It is valid for 3 years.
Cisco Certified Technicians (CCT)
As of September 2024, there were 3 domains available for CCT certification: CCT Collaboration - valid for 3 years. CCT Routing and Switching - valid for 3 years. CCT Data Center - valid for 3 years.
Associate Certifications
CCNA Routing and Switching
The CCNA Routing and Switching certification covered skills necessary to administer devices on small or medium-sized networks. This certification required the ICND1 100-105 and ICND2 200-105 exams.
Pearson VUE test centers conduct these exams.
All CCNA-certified individuals specialize by technology. 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. As of autumn 2015, the CCNA Certification has no prerequisites.
Starting 24 February 2020, all CCNA specializations were consolidated. The 200-301 Cisco Certified Network Associate exam is now the only exam available at CCNA-level.
Valid for 3 years.
Retired on February 23, 2020
CCDA Cisco-Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certified engineers can design switched or routed networks of LANs, WANs and broadband services. 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.
Valid for 3 years.
Retired on February 23, 2020
CCNA Cloud
Valid for 3 years.
Retired on February 23, 2020
CCNA Collaboration The Cisco Certified Collaboration Associate certification is for Cisco engineers who specialize in Cisco's Unified Communications (UC) products. Collaboration engineers focus on the deployment and support of voice, video, and live text communication solutions across IP networks.
Valid for 3 years.
Retired on February 23, 2020
CCNA CyberOps
The CCNA Cyber Ops certification prepares candidates to begin a career working with associate-level cybersecurity analysts within security operations centers.
Valid for 3 years.
Retired on May 28, 2020
CCNA Industrial The Cisco Certified Network Associate Industrial (CCNA Industrial) certification was valid for 3 years.
Retired on February 23, 2020
CCNA Security CCNA Security validates knowledge of security infrastructure, threats, and vulnerabilities to networks and threat mitigation. Required skills include installation, troubleshooting and monitoring of network devices to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and devices. To earn this certification one must pass the 210-260 IINS (Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security) exam, as well as hold a current CCNA certification. The CCNA-Security is a prerequisite to the CCNP Security certification. It represents the required exam to earn the certification and for continuing the security certification path to the CCNP.
Note: The CCNA Security courseware holds compliance with the NSA and CNSS training standard of CNSS 4011. 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.
Valid for 3 years.
Retired on February 23, 2020
CCNA Service Provider Part 1 is a 5-day instructor-led course that provides the basic knowledge and skills necessary to support a service provider network. The course provides knowledge of the major network components and helps learners to understand how service provider networks function. The course introduces IP Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) architecture. The course also includes remote labs that help gain practical skills for deploying basic Cisco IOS / IOS XE and Cisco IOS XR software features. Part 2 is a 5-day instructor-led course that provides knowledge of network construction and IP NGN architecture. The course includes additional remote labs.
Valid for 3 years.
Retired on February 23, 2020
CCNA Wireless The CCNA Wireless certification covers wireless LANs, including networking associates/administrators, wireless support specialists, and WLAN project managers. The certification validates skills in the configuration, implementation, and support of wireless LANs. 200-355 WIFUND (Implementing Cisco Wireless Networking Essentials) is the required exam.
Valid for 3 years.
Retired on February 23, 2020
Professional Certifications
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Certifications validate knowledge and skills required to install, configure, and troubleshoot converged local- and wide-area networks with 100 to 500 or more end-devices. One needs a valid CCNA certification to obtain a CCNP certification.
CCNP Routing and Switching 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 addition to CCNA Exams, professionals must pass three separate professional-level exams. The certification track changed in July 2010, with various migration paths available for those that had begun, but not completed, the CCNP certification process. 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." 29 January 2015 was the last day to test using the v1.0 exams. As of 30 January 2015, only the v2.0 exam is offered.
Required exams (v1.0): 642-902 ROUTE: Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE) 642-813 SWITCH: Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH) 642-832 TSHOOT: Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (TSHOOT)
Required exams (v2.0): 300-101 ROUTE: Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE) 300-115 SWITCH: Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH) 300-135 TSHOOT: Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (TSHOOT)
Retired on February 23, 2020 Check CCNP Enterprise Architecture.
CCDP With a CCDP certification, a network professional can discuss, design, and create advanced addressing and routing, security, network management, data center, and IP multicast enterprise architectures that include virtual private networking and wireless domains. An active CCDA certification acts as a prerequisite for this certification.
Required exams: 300-101 ROUTE: Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE) 300-115 SWITCH: Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH) 300-320 ARCH: Designing Cisco Network Service Architecture
Note that CCDP requires 300-101 ROUTE and 300-115 SWITCH. After passing CCNP and CCDA, CCDP requires only 300-320 ARCH.
Retired on February 23, 2020
CCNP Collaboration
You are required to pass these four exams: 300-070 CIPTV1 Implementing Cisco IP Telephony and Video, Part 1 (CIPTV1) 300-075 CIPTV2 Implementing Cisco IP Telephony and Video, Part 2 (CIPTV2) 300-080 CTCOLLAB Troubleshooting Cisco IP Telephony and Video (CTCOLLAB) 300-085 CAPPS Implementing Cisco Collaboration Applications (CAPPS) CCNP-Collaboration "Cisco.com. Retrieved 15 November 2016."
CCNP Data Center CCNP Data Center validates knowledge of data center design, equipment installation, and maintenance.
Five required exams: 300-175 DCUCI Implementing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing (DCUCI) 300-165 DCII Implementing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCII) 300-170 DCVAI Implementing Cisco Data Center Virtualization and Automation (DCVAI) 300-160 DCID Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCID) OR 300-180 DCIT Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCIT)
CCNP Security Formerly Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP).
The CCNP Security certification program aligns to the job role of the Cisco Network Security Engineer, who has responsibility for security in routers, switches, networking devices, and appliances, as well as choosing, deploying, supporting, and troubleshooting firewalls, VPNS, and IDS/IPS solutions for their networking environments. The CCNP Security certification no longer requires CCNA Security or any other Certification. The CCNP has no prerequisites, but Cisco recommends three to five years of experience.
CCNP Service Provider The CCNP Service Provider certification replaced the retiring CCIP certification.
Required exams: