Exams are proctored, timed, and delivered in a secure environment. Most exams last approximately one to two hours. Lab exams typically last eight hours. Lab exams are Pass/Fail and results are available online (using login) within 48 hours.

• Candidates must acknowledge the Cisco Certifications and Confidentiality Agreement online at the authorized testing center prior to taking any Cisco Certification exam. Candidates who do not agree will not be able to proceed with the exam and a refund will not be provided. Signing this legal agreement is required.
• An Exam Tutorial is available to demonstrate the various question formats.
• Candidates will be provided with an erasable note board and marker for notes and calculations to assist them as they answer the questions.
• At the completion of the testing session, candidates will receive a score report that includes a score breakout by exam section and the passing score for the given exam. 

Visit Pearson VUE for an expanded list of countries, currency, and exams.

Cisco written exams

Pearson VUE administers all Cisco exams except CCIE lab exams. Pearson VUE offers two ways to pay for an exam:

• Use your credit card when registering for an exam
• Prepay for your exam before you schedule it by purchasing an exam voucher using your Cisco Learning Credits

CCIE lab exams

CCIE Lab exam payment, cost and registration information is found on our CCIE Book Your Exam resource page.

Exam vouchers - Learning Credits

Cisco customers and learning partners can redeem their Cisco Learning Credits for certification exam vouchers.

You can usually schedule an exam up to six weeks in advance and as late as the same day.

• For written exams details, visit Exam Registration Information.
• For CCIE Lab Exams, visit the CCIE website.

The policies for retaking exams are as follows:

• Candidates who fail an Entry, Associate, Professional, Specialist or CCDE Written exam must wait a period of five (5) calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before they may retest for the same exam.
• Candidates who fail an Expert-level lab or practical exam must wait a period of thirty (30) calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before they may schedule for the same exam.
• Candidates who fail an Online/Un-proctored Cisco (700-xxx series) exam must wait a period of forty-eight hours (48 hours) after the failed attempt before they may retest for the same exam.
• A candidate must wait a minimum of 180 days before taking the same passed Associate, Professional, Specialist, CCDE Written, or Online/Un-roctored Cisco (700-xxx series) exam with an identical exam number.
• Once passed, candidates cannot retake any Expert-level lab or practical exam unless their status becomes Inactive.

• Every written proctored exam passed equals a Specialist certification.
• Within 24 hours of passing your certifying exam you will receive an email advising you on the next steps. You must complete the steps to trigger the fulfillment process.
• The Cisco Certification Tracking System records exam and certification status. Keep your contact information up to date to receive notifications about your certification.
• After you’re certified, you will be authorized to use the Cisco Certification logo that identifies your status. Before using a logo, you must read and acknowledge the Cisco Certifications Logo Agreement. You can download logos through the Certifications Tracking System.

Visit our Certification Fulfillment and Benefits page to learn more about the certification fulfillment process and the benfits you'll receive.

• Yes. Exam expiration dates help us make sure that candidates complete multi-exam certifications within a given time frame.
• Exams for associate, specialist and professional level certifications are valid for three years from the date you pass.
  
• For CCIE written exam expiration information, visit the CCIE Exam Information page.