Cisco certifications
Twenty-four Cisco certifications, prepared exam by exam: timed practice exams, simulation-style questions, hands-on networking labs and an AI tutor that explains every answer in your style.
200 free credits · No credit card required
Last updated
Certification paths
Cisco certifications go from Entry to Associate, Professional and Expert within each technology, with Practitioner certifications for AI and OT. None has a formal prerequisite, so start at the level that fits you. Select any certification to see its exams.
Enterprise networking
From first network to expert design
Wireless
Cisco’s dedicated wireless track
Security
Secure networks, cloud and users
Cybersecurity operations
Detect, investigate and respond
Automation
APIs, code and infrastructure as code
Data center
Compute, storage and AI infrastructure
Service provider
Carrier-grade networks
Collaboration
Voice, video and messaging
IT support, AI & OT
Job-ready skills for new roles
All Cisco certifications
Filter by track or level. Every card shows what Cisco asks of you: the exams you’ll sit, how long they run and how long the certification stays valid.
24 certifications
EntryEnterprise networking
Network or Help Desk Technician
Networking basics for entry-level IT roles, and a first step toward CCNA.
Prerequisites: None, but know the exam topics
AssociateEnterprise networking
Network Engineer or Administrator
Network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity and services, security and automation: the associate exam most networking careers build on.
Prerequisites: None
ProfessionalEnterprise networking
Senior Network Engineer
Enterprise networks end to end: dual-stack architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, assurance, security and automation.
Plus one of: ENARSI, ENSDWI, ENSLD, ENAUTO, ENCC, ENNA
Prerequisites: None
ExpertEnterprise networking
Expert Network Engineer
Plan, design, operate and optimize complex dual-stack enterprise networks, proven in an 8-hour hands-on lab.
Prerequisites: None
ExpertEnterprise networking
Network Design Expert
Expert network design: gather the requirements, design to them, plan the implementation and explain every decision.
Prerequisites: None
ProfessionalWireless
Wireless Network Engineer
Design, implement and operate enterprise wireless networks on Cisco’s dedicated wireless track.
Plus one of: WLSD, WLSI
Prerequisites: None
ExpertWireless
Expert Wireless Engineer
Plan, design, deploy, operate and optimize complex wireless networks across their full lifecycle.
Prerequisites: None
ProfessionalSecurity
Network Security Engineer
Network, cloud and content security, endpoint protection, secure access and visibility with Cisco security technologies.
Plus one of: SNCF, SISE, SSCA, SDSI
Prerequisites: None
ExpertSecurity
Expert Security Engineer
Design, deploy, operate and optimize end-to-end security for an enterprise dual-stack network.
Prerequisites: None
EntryCybersecurity operations
Entry-level Security Technician
Security principles, network and endpoint security, vulnerability and risk management, and incident handling.
Prerequisites: None, but know the exam topics
AssociateCybersecurity operations
SOC or Cybersecurity Analyst
Security monitoring, analysis and response: the daily work of a security operations center. Formerly CyberOps Associate.
Prerequisites: None
ProfessionalCybersecurity operations
Incident Responder or Threat Hunter
Cybersecurity with Cisco security technologies, then go deep on forensics and incident response or threat hunting.
Plus one of: CBRFIR, CBRTHD
Prerequisites: None
AssociateAutomation
Network Automation Engineer
Automate networks with Cisco platforms: APIs, Python, application deployment and infrastructure automation. Formerly DevNet Associate.
Prerequisites: None
ProfessionalAutomation
Senior Automation Engineer
Design, deploy and manage network automation systems: infrastructure as code, operations and AI in automation. Formerly DevNet Professional.
Plus one of: ENAUTO, DCNAUTO
Prerequisites: None
ExpertAutomation
Expert Automation Engineer
Plan, design, develop, test, deploy and maintain software for automation-driven networks. Formerly DevNet Expert.
Prerequisites: None
ProfessionalData center
Data Center Engineer
Implement and operate data center networking, compute, storage and automation, now including AI infrastructure.
Plus one of: DCID, DCIT, DCACI, DCNAUTO, DCAI
Prerequisites: None
ExpertData center
Expert Data Center Engineer
Expert-level data center design, deployment, operation and optimization, proven in an 8-hour lab.
Prerequisites: None
ProfessionalService provider
Service Provider Network Engineer
Carrier-grade networks: core architecture and services, advanced routing, VPN services and cloud network infrastructure.
Plus one of: SPRI, SPVI, SPCNI
Prerequisites: None
ExpertService provider
Expert Service Provider Engineer
Expert-level service provider networks, from core routing to services, proven in an 8-hour lab.
Prerequisites: None
ProfessionalCollaboration
Collaboration Engineer
Voice, video and messaging, on premises and in the cloud, including call control and customer experience.
Plus one of: CLACC, CLHCT, CLCCE
Prerequisites: None
ExpertCollaboration
Expert Collaboration Engineer
Expert-level collaboration solutions, designed, deployed and troubleshot in an 8-hour lab.
Prerequisites: None
EntryIT support, AI & OT
IT Support or Help Desk Technician
The everyday work of IT support: devices, operating systems, connectivity, security basics and helping people fix problems.
Prerequisites: None, but know the exam topics
PractitionerIT support, AI & OT
Technical roles working with AI
Put AI to work in technical roles: coding, debugging, data analysis, automation and workflows, with applied labs.
Prerequisites: None
PractitionerIT support, AI & OT
OT and Industrial Security roles
Secure the operational technology and industrial networks behind manufacturing, utilities and critical infrastructure.
Prerequisites: None
Launches Feb 3, 2027
Exam details from cisco.com, checked weekly for changes; last updated November 4, 2026. Cisco doesn’t publish question counts or passing scores. Cisco, CCNA, CCNP, CCIE and CCDE are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.
Built for Cisco exams
Cisco exams test whether you can run a network, not just name its parts. Every tool works toward the exam you’ll actually sit.
Full-length practice for every core and concentration exam, timed like the real thing, so exam day holds no surprises.
Learn more: Timed practice examsDrag-and-drop, command-line configuration and troubleshooting tasks, and network topology exercises alongside multiple choice. For CCNA, the command line is a Cisco router prompt.
Learn more: Simulation-style questionsPractice the configuration and troubleshooting each exam’s topics describe, in guided labs.
Learn more: Hands-on labsGot one wrong? The tutor explains why, in the way you learn best, and points to the exam topic behind it.
Learn more: An AI tutor on every answerA readiness score across every exam topic, so you book the exam when the numbers say you’ll pass.
Learn more: Know when you’re readyFAQs
Find quick answers or contact our support team.
If you’re new to IT, start with CCST Networking or CCST IT Support: 50-minute exams with no prerequisites. If you already know networking basics, go straight to CCNA, the associate exam most networking careers build on, then on to CCNP Enterprise.
No. None of Cisco’s certifications has a formal prerequisite, so you can start at any level. Most people still build up through CCNA, because the CCNP core exam assumes that knowledge.
Every CCNP takes two exams: a 120-minute core exam for the technology and a 90-minute concentration exam you choose. Each exam you pass also earns you a Cisco Certified Specialist certification, and the same core exam also counts toward the CCIE in that technology.
After the 120-minute core exam, CCIE adds an 8-hour hands-on lab where you plan, design, deploy, operate and optimize a complex network. The lab costs US$1,600. CCDE follows the same pattern: a 2-hour written exam with 90 to 110 questions, then an 8-hour practical.
Three years for CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, CCDE and the Practitioner certifications. CCST certifications earned since July 15, 2025 last five years. You renew by passing exams, or, above CCST, with Continuing Education credits.
Cisco renamed them. DevNet Associate is now CCNA Automation (200-901), CyberOps Associate is now CCNA Cybersecurity (200-201), and DevNet Professional and DevNet Expert are now CCNP Automation and CCIE Automation.
Yes. The free plan includes 200 credits you can spend across the platform, with no credit card required. Upgrade to Pro whenever you want unlimited practice.
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