Getting Started
If you currently hold an Associate, Specialist, Professional, or Expert certification, you have multiple choices and a wide range of eligible training resources available to you for recertification through the Cisco Continuing Education Program. By staying connected with the certified professional community and continuously honing your skills to adapt to evolving technologies, you can ensure the longevity of your active certification status. Embrace the flexibility offered and keep your expertise up to date.
Continuing Education Requirements
To maintain your active certification status, it is important to fulfill all recertification requirements before your certification expiration date. Credits earned through the Cisco Continuing Education Program accumulate until you recertify your highest level of certification. Upon recertification, all certifications at that level and below will be renewed.
In the event that your certification(s) expire, you will be required to complete the full examination process anew to regain active status. However, there is a silver lining: any “Pending” CE credits that were in progress at the time of expiration will be retrospectively applied toward recertification. Once your claim is validated, these credits will be considered based on the date of activity completion, assisting you in your recertification journey.
Certification Level and Duration | Continuing Education Only | Combination of Continuing Education and Exam |
Associate – 3 years | Earn 30 CE credits | |
Specialist – 3 years | Earn 40 CE credits | |
Professional – 3 years | Earn 80 CE credits | Earn 40 credits AND pass one professional level exam |
CCIE – 3 years | Earn 120 CE credits |
|
CCDE – 3 years | Earn 120 CE credits |
|
Once a certification is retired, no new certifications will be issued, and they will no longer be available for recertification. However, the existing certification will remain active until the candidate’s individual expiration date. For more details on retired certifications, please refer to the Retired Certifications page.
The provided table summarizes the available options for recertification through the Continuing Education Program. Alternatively, certified individuals can recertify by successfully passing certification exams or progressing to the next level of certification at any time. To access our comprehensive policy and explore the complete list of recertification options, please visit the recertification policy page.
Continuing Education Process
To recertify through Continuing Education, complete the following steps before your current certification becomes inactive:
1. Choose your recertification path
- Review recertification options and determine how many credits you need to recertify
- Active certification holders log in to the Continuing Education program portal and accept the terms and conditions
- Explore the catalog
2. Earn/Claim Continuing Education credits
- Step 1: Complete eligible activities
- Step 2: Log in to the Continuing Education program portal and submit a claim within 365 days
3. Track your progress and certification status
- Track your progress in the Certification Tracking System (Associate, Professional, Specialist) or Expert Level Certifications Tracker (CCIE/CCDE)
4. Recertification
- Recertification occurs automatically once the criteria are satisfied
For Qualifying Continuing Education item categories and Continuing Education program policy and rules, please click here.
To view the entire schedule of trainings along with respective CE points, please visit our Tranining schedule or to Redeem your CLCs for NIL Learning classes through Cisco, click here.
Reach out to our team!
For any additional information, team training or language options, write to our team! We’re eager to help you meet your learning goals.