CCNA renewal maintains your certification valid for 3 years from passing 200-301. Renew by earning Continuing Education credits or retaking the exam before expiration. Check Cisco's requirements for CE credits. Plan early—expired certifications cannot use CE credits to renew.
Validity Period
When you pass the CCNA 200-301 exam, your certification is valid for 3 years from the date you earned it. Your certification number and validity dates appear on your certificate and in the Cisco Learning Network verification system.
You can verify your current certification status and expiration date on the Cisco Learning Network (https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/) by logging into your account and viewing your transcript.
Renewal Methods
Cisco offers two paths to renew your CCNA:
Method 1: Continuing Education (CE) Credits
Earn Continuing Education credits within your 3-year certification period to renew automatically. Check Cisco's recertification page for the current CE-credit requirement. CE credits come from:
- Attending Cisco Live events — The annual Cisco Live conference awards CE credits for sessions attended.
- Passing Cisco exams — Passing another Cisco exam (such as CCNP, CCIE, or other certifications) earns CE credits.
- Completing Cisco Learning Network courses — Some official training modules award CE credits.
- Publishing technical articles — Writing published articles on networking or Cisco topics can earn credits.
- Speaking at industry events — Presenting at conferences or meetups may award credits.
- Online learning and training — Some approved partner courses award CE credits; check the Cisco Learning Network for a current list.
Method 2: Retake the Exam
Retake and pass the CCNA 200-301 exam before your 3-year expiration date. If you pass, your certification renews for another 3 years from the new exam date.
Retaking costs $300 USD again. However, if you are still current (within the 3-year period), you must wait a minimum of 180 days after your previous passing exam before retaking the identical exam (200-301). This rule prevents "gaming" the system by retaking immediately.
Timeline for Renewal Planning
Do not wait until the last day of your 3-year period. Plan your renewal strategy well in advance:
- Midway through your certification period: Track your CE credits or plan to retake the exam. If you attend Cisco Live or pass a higher-level exam, credits accumulate.
- Several months before expiration: Assess your progress toward the required CE credits or decide whether to retake the exam.
- Before expiration: Complete your renewal via CE or exam retake. Do not let your certification lapse.
What Happens If Your Certification Expires?
If you do not renew before the 3-year expiration date, your CCNA certification becomes inactive. Once expired, you lose the right to use the "Cisco Certified Network Associate" designation on your resume or in professional profiles.
To recertify after expiration, you must retake the full CCNA 200-301 exam ($300) from scratch. You cannot use CE credits to renew an expired certification. This is why advance planning matters: renewing before expiration is easier and cheaper than recertifying after lapse.
CE Credit Verification
After completing an activity that awards CE credits, verify they were recorded:
- Log into the Cisco Learning Network
- View your transcript or certification status
- Check that your CE credits appear and are applied to the correct certification
Some credits may take time to process. If credits do not appear, contact the Cisco Learning Network help desk.
Renewal Examination and Recertification
If you pursue renewal by exam retake, remember the 180-day minimum wait from your last passing attempt. Calculate your dates: your certification is valid for 3 years from your pass date, so your expiration date is 3 years out. The 180-day wait means you can retake partway through your certification period.
Allocate focused study time before retaking, even if you are already certified. Technology and exam content evolve, and a refresher study is worthwhile.
Related Pages
Review the cost & booking page to plan for retake costs, explore the career path to see advanced certifications that count toward CE renewal, and check the study plan for preparation strategies.
Exam facts on this page come from Cisco’s own pages (official exam page). Prices, versions and policies change — confirm there before you book.