The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is a Cisco credential that validates a person’s knowledge and skills in installing, managing, and troubleshooting small-to-medium-sized networks. Cisco offers the CCNA as an entry-level networking certification for those looking to enter the IT field or advance their current career in network administration.
The Cisco Certified Network Associate certification has been around since 1998, and it was created to help businesses ensure that they have qualified employees who are capable of installing, managing, and troubleshooting Cisco products on local area networks (LANs).
The most popular CCENT certification is the Cisco Certified Network Associate. It is also referred to as the Associate level of expertise, which is an abbreviation for Advanced-level technological expertise. To obtain the CCNA credential, you must pass the 200-301 Exam.
In this post, we will discuss how long the CCNA certification lasts after passing the exam, how a candidate can keep their CCNA active once they have achieved Cisco Certified Network Associate certification, and how to re-certify the CCNA credential if it expires. Please contact MyComputerCareer for more information on the CCNA certification series, as well as other IT-related certifications and best practices.
What is the validity period of the CCNA certificate?
Your certification is valid for three years from the date it was issued. You must meet several recertification criteria to recertify before your certificate’s expiration date. You are not required to do anything to maintain your CCNA certification. Cisco’s certification program is notorious for being subjected to frequent changes. If the CCNA exam is changed, your certificate will be valid until the expiration date of your certification.
The CCNA certification is Cisco’s way of verifying your knowledge of Cisco technologies. It also aids in increasing your marketability both within and outside of Cisco. For example, CCNA Routing & Switching certification validates your ability to configure, administer, operate, and maintain Cisco routers and switches used in small networks.
What Are the Requirements for CCNA Certification Renewal?
Before your CCNA certificate expires, you must complete recertification procedures. The CCNA is a network security certificate that has two ways to be renewed. The first option is to recertify with a traditional exam. The second, more recent option is to obtain CE (Continuing Education) credits.
Continuing Education credits are available through Cisco Learning Partners. Passing Cisco professional-level job certifications, completing relevant Cisco authorised courses, creating exam questions for Cisco, and/or participating in local Cisco user group meetings and Live technical sessions earn you credits. If you want to recertify for the CCNA, you must complete 40 CE credits.
You must pass one of the following exams to be eligible for recertification:
Passing the CCNA 200-301 exam a second time.
You may also take any one of the associate exams. The most practical option is to retake the 200-301 CCNA exam. Cisco, on the other hand, offers two other associate-level certifications: DEVASC for Cisco Certified Devnet Associate and CBROPS for Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate. You can recertify your CCNA by passing one of the two exams while also earning other certifications.
Any of the five technology core exams is adequate. Each of the five CCNP tracks has its own technology core exam: Enterprise, Data Center, Security, Service Provider, and Collaboration. Furthermore, the Cisco Certified DevNet Professional and Cisco Certified CyberOps Professional certifications each have a core exam that can be passed to renew your CCNA while gaining additional expertise and a credential. The certification you receive is based on your networking knowledge and experience. To become a network administration specialist, you must first pass the basic exam. You must pass both the core test and a concentration exam to obtain professional accreditation.
Any of the five CCNP credentials, including Cisco Certified CyberOps Professional and Cisco Certified DevNet Professional, can be tested for certification.
You may be eligible for any of the CCIE lab exams. You must have passed a technological core test to be eligible for the CCIE laboratory exam. Your CCNA would have been recertified regardless of the outcome of the technology core examination. This is a rare option for recertifying your CCNA, but if you do end up taking the CCIE lab, it will recertify all of your previous certifications, including your CCNA.
Obtaining Certified Status When the CCNA expires
Cisco requires Cisco Certified Network Associates to recertify every three years in order to maintain their certification.
If a CCNA holder’s certification has expired, they can recertify by taking a written exam or participating in an instructor-led online course and passing with 80 percent correct answers. The Cisco Learning Network is a Cisco learning portal available to all CCNA holders. Candidates can attend webinars, watch video tutorials, and review study materials in the Learning Library on the site.
We recommend that you recertify before your certification expires. If your certification expires, you must retake the CCNA exam to renew it. If you want to advance to the next level of certifications or use CE credits to recertify, you must re-certify before your CCNA certification expires.
It is important to note that Cisco does not extend the certification waiting period. It is your responsibility to recertify on time. Before scheduling your recertification exam, be aware of Cisco’s five-day retake policy. If you schedule your recertification exam three days before your certification’s expiration date, for example, and then fail the test, you won’t be able to retake it for another five days, allowing your certificates to expire.
What is the cost of CCNA recertification?
The exam fee for the CCNA 200-301 is $300. The exact cost you pay will vary depending on your location and taxes, but $300 is a reasonable estimate. Make sure you’re well-prepared to avoid an expensive second attempt.
The Cisco Certified Network Associate credential is extremely difficult and time-consuming to obtain. You have it for three years after you earn it if you don’t do anything else. Passing the 200-301 CCNA exam again will help you recertify; however, passing an advanced professional exam to further your knowledge and job prospects while maintaining your CCNA certification is a better option.