Cisco Career Certifications

The table below shows the different paths and levels for Cisco certifications. All certifications, except for CCAr, require passing one or more theoretical exams offered by Pearson VUE. CCIE certifications also require a hands-on exam administered at special labs around the world.

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. Once someone passed the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) Exam (100-101) they earned their CCENT certification.

In 2013, Cisco introduced new ICND1 and ICND2 exams (needed for the new CCNA Routing and Switching). ICND1: 100-101 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 v2.0) became the new exam required for CCENT. With this change, CCENT became a sufficient pre-requirement for CCNA Security, CCNA Voice and CCNA Wireless.

Cisco Certified Technicians have the skills to diagnose, restore, repair, and replace critical Cisco networking and system devices at customer sites. Technicians work closely with the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to quickly and efficiently resolve support incidents.

As of April 2012, there were three domains available for CCT certification:

The CCNA Routing and Switching certification covers skills necessary to administer devices on small or medium-sized networks. This certification requires the ICND1 100-105 and ICND2 200-105 exams. Examinees may take the exams separately or the composite 200-125 CCNA exam. It exists generally as a prerequisite to more advanced certifications, such as the CCNP exams and Cisco Design certifications, e.g. CCNP, CCDA, CCDP, etc.

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, all CCNA certifications have no prerequisites.

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.

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