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What Is Cisco Continuing Education?
The Cisco Continuing Education Program offers all certification holders flexible options to recertify by completing a variety of eligible Continuing Education items.
The Continuing Education program is intended to encourage candidates to maintain, grow, and diversify skillsets by offering flexible, configurable pathways to validate skills and recertify existing certifications.
This will result in IT professionals bringing value to their organization and the industry by maintaining their status as a Cisco professional.
Keep reading to learn more about Continuing Education options and to discover how you can maintain your certifications by doing the things that certified professionals already love to do.
Recertification Requirements
To recertify via Continuing Education, complete the following steps before your current certification becomes inactive:
- Enroll in the program by logging into the Continuing Education portal
- Agree to the Continuing Education Terms and Conditions as part of the enrollment process
- Complete your chosen recertification pathway, which may include earning a specific number of CE credits from the preapproved Continuing Education offerings
- Submit your completed item(s) for credit via the Continuing Education portal within 90 days of completing the item(s)
- Track your progress in the Certification Tracking System (except for CCIE/CCDE). CCIE/CCDE recertification status can be tracked through the CCIE tracker
- Recertification will be automatically processed when the criteria are met/approved
- Candidates must have an active certification (from the day the certification is earned through the day the certification expires/recertified) to earn credit
Benefits of Cisco Continuing Education Credits
Maintain Your Cisco Certification
Earn CE credits to meet recertification requirements without necessarily having to retake your certification exam.
Stay Current with Technology
Build skills in emerging technologies and evolving Cisco solutions as the IT landscape changes.
Expand Your Expertise
Use CE-approved learning activities to deepen your knowledge and develop new technical capabilities.
Flexible Learning Options
Earn credits through a variety of eligible training and educational activities that fit your professional development goals.
Advance Your Career
Demonstrate your commitment to ongoing learning and keep your Cisco credentials current and relevant.
What Qualifies for Cisco CE Credits?
- Cisco or authorized learning partner training →
- Eligible Cisco U. Learning Paths →
- Certification exams →
- Cisco Live technical sessions
- Eligible digital or self-paced training with labs →
- Workshops and automation bootcamps
- Exam development
- Item authoring
How Many CE Credits Are Needed to recertify?
| Certification Level | Credits Required |
|---|---|
| CCST or CCT | Not Applicable |
| Practitioner | 15 |
| Associate | 30 |
| Specialist | 40 |
| Professional | 80 |
| CCIE and CCDE Expert-Level | 120 |
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enter my credits in the Continuing Education Program portal?
After completing an eligible Cisco Continuing Education activity, sign in to the Cisco Continuing Education Program portal using your Cisco.com account. From there, you can submit your completed activity and the required documentation or information to have your credits applied to your certification record. Be sure to submit credits within the applicable reporting period and keep documentation of your completed training.
How long are the credits valid for?
Cisco Continuing Education credits are generally valid for three years from the date they are earned and can be used toward recertification during that period. Credits must be earned and applied according to the requirements of your specific Cisco certification and recertification cycle. For the most current rules, check Cisco's Continuing Education Program requirements.
How do I know if a course qualifies for CE credits?
Cisco CE-eligible training must be listed in the Cisco Continuing Education Program Item Catalog and delivered by Cisco or an authorized Cisco Learning Partner or provider. Eligible courses from Sunset Learning will show the CE value on the course page.
Can Cisco CE credits be combined from multiple activities?
Yes. You can accumulate CE credits from multiple eligible activities toward your recertification requirements. Credits are automatically applied toward recertification in the order they are earned, and there is no cap on the number of CE credits you can earn from an individual activity category.
Do Cisco CE credits expire?
Yes. Cisco CE credits are valid for three years from the date the eligible activity was completed. CE credits are automatically applied toward recertification in the order they are earned and cannot be held for future use. If you earn more credits than needed for recertification, eligible excess credits can roll over when a new recertification cycle begins.
Can I earn CE credits without taking a certification exam?
Yes. Cisco's Continuing Education Program allows you to earn CE credits without taking a certification exam. Qualifying training, Cisco Live sessions, exam development, item authoring, and other eligible activities can contribute toward recertification. This gives you the opportunity to maintain your certification while continuing to build your technical skills.
How long does it take for CE credits to appear in my Cisco account?
Most CE credits are automatically awarded within 48 hours of completing an eligible activity. In some situations, you may need to submit a manual claim—for example, if the activity isn't yet included in Cisco's automated system or your training completion wasn't properly recorded. Manual claims must be submitted within 365 days of completing the activity.