Talk to our Experts
Our in-house experts have architected, designed, built and automated some of the UK's largest Enterprise Networks and Data Centres. We've probably:
- Networked it
- Designed it
- Automated it
Apr 14, 2023 networking Twitter GitHub info@caci.co.uk
With the recent announcement that Cisco has created its own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme - Cisco Continuing Education Program - it is now possible to recertify your CCNP or CCNA Certification using an exam-free approach, and with some studying and time applied, this can even be done free of charge!
What is a CE Credit?
Cisco Continuing Education Credits (CE Credits) is a program that offers Cisco certification holders flexible options to recertify by completing a variety of eligible Continuing Education (CE) items. The program is designed to help professionals stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends in the Industry - including Python, Network Automation, NetDevOps and beyond. CE Credits are similar in form to CPD points seen in other fields, and can be earned via a variety of means:
- Attending Online Training Courses in Cisco Learning Network
- Taking Online Training Courses in Cisco Digital Learning
- Attendance of in-person Events at Cisco Live conferences
- Watching Online Webinars on Cisco Product Launches
The amount of CE credits earned will depend on the type of activity and its duration. For example, you can earn 12 CE credits for a 14-hour Cisco course delivered via the Cisco Digital Learning platform or earn a generous 40 to 65 credits for attending a 5-day Cisco Instructor-Led training course offered by authorised Cisco Learning Training Partners. You can also earn small amounts of "top up" credit here and there through ad-hoc, time-bound initiatives such as the Rev Up to Recert: Python - which runs until April 20 2023 and is worth a whopping 15 CE Credits.
Points make priz... certificate renewals
The CE Credit process has some legwork to it, as CE Credit issuance isn't automatic; the process roughly looks as follows:
- Attend the Training Session, Course or Webinar for its full duration
- Note down the official Course Name, date when you started it and date when you finished it
- For Online Courses, you should expect to receive a Completion Certificate at the end, which is a PDF document with a Certificate Number in it; you'll need this Certificate Validation Code later on
- Log in to the Cisco CE Credit User Portal with your Cisco.com CCO Account, and click "Submit Items" in the top-right side to enter the details of the Training Course, Webinar or Online Learning you have completed
- Ensure you have the Course Name, Start Date, End Date and Certificate Validation Code and PDF version of the Completion Certificate to hand to submit
- Wait a few days for the Credit Status to change from "Pending" to "Earned" on the Cisco CE User Dashboard
Within 24-48 hours later, your CE Credits will then also show against your Cisco CertMetrics - under Certifications -> Cert Status -> Pick your CCNP/CCNA Certificate -> View More. This shows the progress these points make towards the recertification, where the following table is handy to know:
| Certification | Renewal Period | Renewal (CE Credit-only) | Renewal (Exam + CE Credit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate (i.e. CCNA) | 3 years | Earn 30 CE credits | |
| Specialist | 3 years | Earn 40 CE credits | |
| Professional (i.e. CCNP) | 3 years | Earn 80 CE credits | Earn 40 CE credits + Pass 1 Professional exam |
| Expert (i.e. CCIE, CCDE) | 3 years | Earn 120 CE credits | Earn 40 CE Credits + Pass 1 Technology exam (OR) Earn 40 CE Credits + Pass 2 Professional exams (OR) Earn 80 CE Credits + Pass 1 Professional exam |
Free (and nearly free) CE Credits
The following are known free online Cisco Learning and Training Courses and Activities you can take to get some CE Credits for no cost. Get in quick before they're gone!
| Activity | Type | Credits | Expiration Date | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rev Up to Recert: Python | Online Videos | 15 CE Credits | April 20 2023 | £free |
| Cisco DevNet Associate Fundamentals | Online Course | 48 CE Credits | April 30 2023 | £99 |
Good luck with your learning, and make sure you check out our Careers Openings once you've obtained your CCNA or CCNP, as we're always on the look out for good people!
If you need top Cisco Talent
If you need qualified Cisco Professionals to help your business exceed, why not get in touch and see how we can help your business fully utilise our talented CCNA, CCNP, CCIE and other vendor expertise for your Business Network.