Cisco certification question - doing CCNP exams when CCNA is expiring??

plucky duck · August 8th, 2002, 12:28 AM

I've already acquired my CCNA back in January. It'll be awhile before I'll complete the 4 exams for CCNP designation. Question is if I start on one or two of the CCNP exams, and my CCNA cert expires, will I have to redo the CCNP exams that I've already completed?

Thx.
Plucky

lrt73 · August 8th, 2002, 01:02 AM

No...you can get the CCNP without having the CCNA..

plucky duck · August 8th, 2002, 02:25 AM

Really? I always thought that CCNA was a pre-requesite (sp?)
Glad to hear if it really is the case.

desmocat · August 8th, 2002, 06:18 PM

Holding a valid CCNA is a prerequesite, you will automatically renew your CCNA when you get your CCNP.

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/...rams/ccnp.html

plucky duck · August 8th, 2002, 06:21 PM

Ok then, but the question is will the CCNP exams I do (maybe one or two between now and my CCNA expiration, have to be redone again when my CCNA cert expires before I complete my CCNP?

That's the lingering question in my mind. Thx.
Plucky

plucky duck · August 8th, 2002, 06:25 PM

Hmm...I thought CCNP was valid for 3yrs and CCNA was only 2yrs, guess I was wrong. CCNA is valid for 3yrs as well, guess that still gives me plenty of time to work on my CCNP.

I should really cut the slack and get my arse back in gear while there's still time.

Thx,
Plucky

desmocat · August 9th, 2002, 12:09 PM

I would assume that you might, but not sure, I would think as long as you passed the exams, they would be good, but until you pass all 4, thats the date when your CCNP goes into effect. I go onto the cisco site quite a bit, and I think I will ask that and find out for ya.

You bring a good point that needs clarification. I will post back any answer I get.
It seems to be a catch-22 type deal, huh?

desmocat · August 9th, 2002, 01:23 PM

here ya go, I think this will help you out:
(from a response at cisco's website)
I just used passing 2 of the four tests as an example.

Once you pass all the requirements to complete a certification a "timer" (so to speak) starts the day you pass the exam. This influences how long you are certified for.

The question you are asking is a common one and is answered as follows.

If you pass your CCNA (which is of course valid for 3 years) and it eventually runs out and in that time you have part completed half of your CCNP (you said 2 exams) the CCNP exams will still be seen as individually passed.

You should only have to complete the CCNA and the remaining 2 CCNP exams to get your CCNP. If the gentleman completes the remaining 2 CCNP exams first he will neither be a CCNA or a CCNP until he recertifies for his CCNA.

Try to remember that the exam certification database is just a logical database which uses a basic formula to arrive at a certification decision.

For example it could be seen like this...

"If person X has passed exam A (the CCNA exam), he is a CCNA AND if he has passed exam B,C,D,E(say the CCNP exams) he is a CCNA and a CCNP.

But IF person X no longer holds a pass for exam A (i.e the CCNA has expired) he is NO LONGER a CCNA or a CCNP.

Anyone can look into the certification tracking database to see what ticks they have against which exams. These ticks are what the database uses to decide if all the requirements are met and once they are all met the certification box turns blue to show a complete certification.

In this gentlemans case, I am sure he will find that he has two ticks towards his CCNP certification regardless of if he still has his CCNA.

plucky duck · August 9th, 2002, 08:22 PM

Oh, I see, I see....that makes sense and seems fair the way it works out. Thx very much for the much needed clarification desmocat

You da man

Lemon[H]ead · August 9th, 2002, 08:54 PM

is CCNA, CCNP or MSCE a good course to take to fill up a timetable at university? or is it a full time deal?

just decided to ask here as it seems pointless creating a new thread for it