Cisco Career Certifications - Expert-level Certifications - CCIE Numbering and Recertification

CCIE Numbering and Recertification

Upon successful completion of the lab exam, a new CCIE is awarded a CCIE number. The first CCIE number allocated (in 1993) was 1,024 and increased thereafter. As of August 2011, the highest CCIE number allocated was just over 30,000. The first number was allocated to the first CCIE lab location, rather than to an individual, and was featured as a plaque at the entrance to the lab. Number 1025 was awarded to Stuart Biggs, who created the first written exam and first lab exam. The first person to pass both CCIE written and lab exams was Terry Slattery, who was consulting at Cisco when the lab was devised. Slattery was the first CCIE who was not an employee of Cisco. Each CCIE retains their number regardless of how many certifications he or she receives. Every two years a CCIE has to take a written test to retain the certification. If this is not done, the certification is suspended. After one further year without passing, the certification is revoked. The certification can then only be regained by starting from scratch. Recertification can occur up to 2 years before the expiration date. After certification/recertification, a CCIE must wait 6 months before re-certifying.