Cisco Certifications
- General Certifications Hierarchy
- Entry Level Certifications
- Associate Level Certifications
- Professional Level Certifications
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP)
- Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider (CCNP SP)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider Operations (CCNP SP Ops)
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP)
- CCNP Wireless
- Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
- Expert Level Certifications
- Architect Certifications
General Certifications Hierarchy
| Routing & Switching | Voice | Security | Service Provider | Service Provider Operations | Wireless | Storage | Design | |
| Expert | CCIE R&S | CCIE Voice | CCIE Security | CCIE SP | CCIE SP Ops | CCIE Wireless | CCIE SAN | CCDE |
| Professional | CCNP | CCVP | CCSP | CCNP SP | CCNP SP Ops | CCNP Wireless | CCNP | CCDP |
| Associate | CCNA | CCNA Voice | CCNA Security | CCNA SP | CCNA SP Ops | CCNA Wireless | CCNA | CCDA |
| Entry | CCENT | |||||||
Entry Level Certifications
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
- Prerequisites
- None
- Exam Paths
- ICND1 (640-822)
The CCENT was created in 2007 to add an entry level tier beneath the CCNA as it became more challenging. The certification is widely considered to equate to "half" of a CCNA; it signifies having completed one of the two exams required to obtain a CCNA (the other being ICND2). While obtaining a CCENT can be useful for demonstrating short-term progress in entry level study, it is not generally recognized as a valuable standalone certification. Rather, it implies that its holder is currently pursuing the CCNA.
Associate Level Certifications
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
The CCNA is perhaps the most popular entry level general networking certification. While widely respected, the proliferance of braindumps have eroded its reputation somewhat. The certification can be achieved by passing both the ICND1 and ICND2 exams, or by passing the single CCNA exam.
CCNA Voice
CCNA Security
CCNA Service Provider
CCNA Service Provider Operations
- Prerequisites
- None
- Exam Paths
- SSPO (640-760)
CCNA Wireless
- Prerequisites
- CCNA
- Exam Paths
- IUWNE (640-721)
Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
- Prerequisites
- None
- Exam Paths
- DESGN (640-863)
Professional Level Certifications
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP)
- Prerequisites
- CCNA Voice
- Exam Paths
- CVOICE (642-436), CIPT1 (642-446), CIPT2 (642-456), QOS (642-642), and TUC (642-426)
Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)
- Prerequisites
- CCNA Security, or
- CCNA and SND (642-552) (until 17 Nov 2011)
- Exam Paths
- SNRS (642-504), SNAF (642-524), IPS (642-533), and CANAC (642-591), or
- SNRS (642-504), SNAF (642-524), IPS (642-533), and MARS (642-545), or
- SNRS (642-504), SNAF (642-524), IPS (642-533), and SNAA (642-515)
Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider (CCNP SP)
- Prerequisites
- CCNA SP or CCNA R&S plus minimum of 1 CCIP Exam (QOS, BGP, MPLS, BGP+MPLS, ROUTE), or Valid CCIP, or Any CCIE certification
- Exam Paths
- SPROUTE (642-883), SPADVROUTE (642-885), SPCORE (642-887), and SPEDGE (642-889)
Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider Operations (CCNP SP Ops)
- Prerequisites
- CCNA SP Ops or Any CCIE certification
- Exam Paths
- OFCN (642-770), MSPRP (642-775), MSPVM (642-780), and MSPQS (642-758)
Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP)
- Prerequisites
- CCNA
- Exam Paths
- BSCI (642-901), QOS (642-642), BGP (642-661), and MPLS (642-611), or
- BSCI (642-901), QOS (642-642), and BGP+MPLS (642-691)
CCNP Wireless
- Prerequisites
- CCNA Wireless
- Exam Paths
- CUWSS (642-731), IUWVN (642-741), IUWMS (642-746), and IAUWS (642-736)
Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
- Prerequisites
- CCNA and CCDA or Any CCIE certification
- Exam Paths
- ROUTE (642-902), SWITCH (642-813), and ARCH (642-874)
Expert Level Certifications
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
Obtaining a CCIE certification in one of the six disciplines is a two-step process. First, a candidate must pass the applicable two-hour written (computerized) exam, similar to any of the lower level certifications. Upon successful completion of the written, the candidate must schedule and attempt the eight-hour practical (lab) portion of the exam within 18 months.
CCIE certifications must be renewed every 24 months by passing any CCIE written or lab exam, or a CCDE exam.
CCIE Routing and Switching (R&S)
CCIE Voice
CCIE Security
CCIE Service Provider (SP)
CCIE Service Provider Operations (SP Ops)
CCIE Wireless
CCIE Storage
Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
Cisco created the CCDE certification in 2008 to fill a gap in its "Design" certification track at the expert level; the CCDE is analgous to the CCIE as the CCDP is to the CCNP. The written CCDE exam debuted in 2008, with the finalized lab exam not available until early 2009.
Similar to the CCIE examination process, the CCDE is achieved by completing both a two-hour written exam and an eight-hour practical exam, in that order.
Architect Certifications
Cisco Certified Architect (CCA)
The CCA was introduced in 2009 to establish a certification tier above the CCIE and CCDE, but to date few details are known for certain.
A Cisco Certified Architect gathers the business requirements and objectives necessary to produce a blueprint for an integrated, large-scale, complex, global network. They can translate business parameters and objectives into functional requirements for a network design. In addition, Cisco Certified Architects can clearly communicate and advocate proposed Cisco network architectures.
The official syllabus lists CCDE as a prerequisite, with three general steps to certification:
- Application for entry into the program
- Pre-Board Exam work
- Board Exam
The CCA certification is due to debut in January 2010. The tentative certification cost is listed as $15,000 USD.