How to Become an Internetworking Expert

Cisco Certified Internetworking Experts complete rigorous requirements to obtain the designation.

Cisco Systems is an information technology company that creates and manufactures Internet protocol (IP) networking systems and communication products for homes, businesses and public institutions. The company also provides services for these products and their use, including an industry-recognized series of certifications designed to train individuals to troubleshoot, maintain and administer networks and communications. The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification program allows individuals to achieve certification specializations in voice, routing and switching and security. The number of individuals designated as CCIEs is limited, as the training and exams are rigorous.

Instructions

1. Obtain a position in the field of information technology that matches your career goals in your area of interest or expertise. Positions in IT can require formal education, technical degrees, knowledge and experience depending on the employer; therefore, entry-level positions are often required. To become certified as an expert in your area of specialization, three to five years of work experience in that field is strongly recommended. Individuals seeking expert certification as network engineers will pursue CCIE routing and switching, storage network engineers will seek CCIE storage and networking certification, network security engineers will work for CCIE security certification, voice network engineers will need to get a CCIE voice certificate, wireless network engineers will seek CCIE wireless certification, and both service provider network engineers and service provider operations engineers must seek CCIE service provider credentials.

2. Prepare for the CCIE written exam. Individuals can take the exam without any other formal requirements; however, because of the cost involved in taking the exam, many choose to take preparation courses or purchase study materials. Some courses and workshops are offered by independent companies and institutions; however, many candidates choose to take instructor-led and online workshops that are part of the Cisco Authorized Learning Partners program. This program provides training options and educators who have been approved or prepared by Cisco. Preassessments to gauge test-takers' aptitude and present knowledge, and subscriptions to online training programs are offered as well.

3. Register for and take the Cisco written exam in your area of specialization. All written exams are taken at Cisco authorized testing facilities that schedule and accept payment for testing. In June 2011, the cost of taking a CCIE written was between $80 and $325. Written exams are proctored, completed on a computer and one to two hours in length, and consist of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank and drag-and-drop questions. Test takers are given white boards and markers to help with calculations; no other items are permitted during the testing period.

4. Prepare for the Cisco lab exam for your area of specialization; candidates are required to pass the written test before attempting the lab exam. Formal training sessions, simulated lab test experiences and preassessments are all offered through Cisco Authorized Learning Partners and independent vendors. Lab tests are hands-on experiences that may require test takers to build or assemble equipment, troubleshoot and problem solve. Some individuals choose to build their own practice labs in geographical areas that do not have simulated lab locations nearby.

5. Register for, take and pass the lab exam for your area of specialization. Lab exams are eight hours in length and may be taken only at one of ten special lab facilities. In the United States, lab tests are offered only in San Jose, California, and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Most labs do not offer all areas of specialization; check the Cisco website for details. The cost of taking the CCIE lab exam was $1,400 in June 2011. Test takers are also responsible for all transportation costs, lodging costs and meals associated with taking the lab exam. Once the lab exam has been passed, CCIE certifications can be obtained electronically in three to five business days; test takers will receive a paper certificate by mail in six to eight weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no limit to the number of times candidates may retake the written exam; however, individuals must wait five calendar days between attempts.

• Cisco strongly recommends that individuals have work experience before taking exams; however, it does allow minors between the ages of 13 and 17 to test and receive certification with parental consent.

• Individuals must attempt the CCIE lab exam within 18 months of passing the CCIE written exam. Candidates who do not pass the lab exam must retake and pass it within 12 months of the previous attempt in order to keep the written test results valid.

• All CCIE certifications expire. Written exams must be retaken or other requirements met to maintain CCIE status. If the recertification requirements are not completed before or on the certification expiration date, the certification will be suspended for one year. Individuals must successfully complete the recertification requirements within this year or they will lose certification and have to start the process over.

• Before testing, all candidates must sign the Cisco Career Certifications and Confidentiality Agreement at the testing center.

References

• Cisco: Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert
• Cisco: IT Certification and Career Paths
• Ascolta: CCIE Training for the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert
• The New York Times: Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Cisco: CCIE Exam Information

Resources

• PC World; IT Certifications that Matter; Elsa Wenzel; November 2, 2010
• Blue Ocean Technologies: Cisco Versus Microsoft--Friends or Foes?
• Cisco Learning Network: Careers