Cisco has done pioneering work in educating IT professionals. It is a university by itself for millions of network professionals across the entire globe. It offers a number of Certifications in the field of networking technology and professionals with Cisco credentials are in demand all over the world. To ensure a more job-focused certification for its workforce, the company updates and modified the certification curriculum every 2-3 years. This ensures that all curriculums are in sync with the latest developments and changes in the field of networking technology. The credibility of all certificates lasts for a maximum of 3 years (except Architect level which is valid for 5 years) from the date of the examination. Before its expiry, the individual has to renew the certificate by appearing in the concerned examination. Failing to do so will make the certificate inactive or expired. This certificate renewal is essential in the IT industry which is evolving at a very fast pace. The professionals in the field need to keep their knowledge and skills abreast with the latest changes and innovations in the field. This only can ensure their validity and user productivity in the evolving technological environment. Cisco has recently (2017) introduced an alternative program to the existing one by introducing a continuing education program to give a more flexible alternative to its certified professionals for the certification renewal process. This is the innovative continuing education program to advance its technical workforce.
The continuing education program is available only to professionals who are in possession of an expert level certification in active or suspended form. From 6 June 2017 any expert level Cisco certified professional can choose from the pre-approved Continuing Education Program curriculum to earn credits for recertification. Any course completed prior to June 6, 2017, is not eligible. The continuing education program is also open for candidates who hold CCIE emeritus status except:
- Those who are in Emeritus status and need to pass lab as well as a written exam to retain the status.
- Candidates who came into Emeritus status by earning business Transformation certifications.
The program is also not available to candidates with associate or professional level certifications.
A timeframe is set for any candidate who registers for the Continuing Education program to earn credits. Candidates must have sufficient time gap to fall within the time frame to earn the credits for their recertification otherwise they are not eligible for the continuing education program.
Credits earned before or after the time frame are not eligible for recertification.
The following 3 steps must be completed before the current Cisco Certification becomes inactive:
- Enroll for the Continuing Education Program and agree to the terms and conditions.
- Earn 100 credit points by successfully completing any of the pre-approved Continuing Education offerings.
- Pay the required Continuing Education administrative fees.
One can enroll for Continuing Education program anytime before the expiry of your Cisco Routing & switching certification but give ample time frame for earning the credits. The points will be credited only after the associated content provider confirms and approves the credit submission.
For pre-approved Cisco Routing & Online training, a certificate of completion is given which then needs to be uploaded and submitted to claim completion of the training. The certificate of completion in the various self-paced training program is documented within the program as part of the purchase package.
After earning the 100 credits and completing the submission, the Cisco certification will be renewed as per the policies of the company.
The contents of the Cisco Routing & Switching Training courses are delivered by authorized Cisco content providers, who validate the training and help the individual view the progress also by logging in.
For enrolling in the continuing education program, submitting the credit points, tracking all your activity and paying administrative fees for the program one has to visit the official website- https://ce. cisco.com
