Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Certification

The highest level of professional certification that Cisco provides is the expert-level certification is the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE). There are 5 active CCIE tracks and as of November 14, 2007 there are 15,658 people with valid CCIE certifications in the world. The CCIE program began in 1993 originally with a two day lab, later changing it to the one day format used today. Fewer than 3% of Cisco certified candidates attain CCIE certification, and on average will spend thousands of dollars and 18 months of arduous studying of 18 months before passing. Many candidates build mock-labs at home using old Cisco equipment, selling it again to other candidates after passing.

CCIE has been voted by CertMag as the most technically advanced IT certification and generally reported to pay highest salaries in IT salary surveys. Cisco refers to the CCIE as the "most respected IT certification", and for over two years voted as such in CertCities magazine.

The CCIE consists of a written exam and a lab exam (each taken in a different track and area). The written exam cannot be taken without the lab exam. They go hand in hand. When the written exam is qualified, the candidate is required to take the lab exam which contains 18 months of extensive study. The candidate has three years from the first written exam passed to make a second attempt at lab exam in case he/she do not pass the first lab exam. In the case where the candidate again fails the lab exam he/she is supposed to the CCIE written exam again if the lab one is to be taken again. Point to be noted is that as many attempts can be made to pass the CCIE lab exam in three years time after passing the written one as long as the first lab exam is taken after 18 months of passing the written exam.

Although there are no definite requirements for the CCIE exams, but it is highly recommended to have at least three or five year hands-on experience in networking. No such certifications could be taken earlier until CCIE since it was the first ever Cisco Certified qualification. Since CCIE meant, apart from being offered at higher levels, cutthroat business for many aspiring candidates, who eventually were hired by a great amount of businesses, associate and professional certifications were given due time and resources for their development. Although these certifications are offered at lower levels, these are not the prerequisites for CCIE.

It is possible to become one of the multiple holders of CCIE credentials. All u need is CertPaper supplements to complement your studies. For over a year there are above 1300 candidates who have passed these certifications and over 200 have obtained three or more CCIE credentials. Point to be noted is that its vital to pass both the written and lab examinations.