Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) – Requirements, Cost, Time, Difficulty

Overview

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) is a professional credential in Networking (Expert). It validates knowledge and practical skills expected for roles aligned with Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), and signals readiness for entry through mid-level responsibilities.

Last updated: 2025-11-12 04:29:09 UTC

What it covers

Fundamentals commonly required in Networking (Expert) roles
Applied skills that map to day-to-day job tasks
Tools, workflows, and quality/safety best practices
Provider-defined objectives and exam domains

Quick snapshot

PriceWritten $400 + Lab $1,600 ≈ $2,000

Time Commitment300–600+ hrs

Recertification Interval3 years (CE or exam)

PrerequisitesNo formal prereq. Must pass qualifying written exam and 8‑hour lab; 5–7 yrs experience recommended.

Difficulty5

Job Demand5

Self Employment5

Remote Roles8

Typical Salary (US): $150k–$200k+

Steps to get certified

Confirm eligibility and prerequisites (if any)
Review the exam objectives and official candidate handbook
Study with free resources and complete practice tasks/exams
Schedule and take the exam (remote or test center, per policy)
Maintain the credential via recertification/CE (if required)

Free study resources

Official exam objectives / sample questions (usually free)
Open courseware and tutorials aligned to the objectives
Hands-on labs or small projects that mirror real tasks
Local library access to relevant books and guides

Communities & discussion

Certification-focused forums and Q&A communities
Reddit/Discord/Slack groups for this cert’s domain
Local meetups or online study groups

Example jobs with this cert

Networking (Expert) Technician
Networking (Expert) Specialist
Networking (Expert) Associate
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Support/Assistant
Junior Networking (Expert) Analyst