Renewing your Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification can be completely free by earning 120 Continuing Education (CE) credits through Cisco-approved courses. With Cisco’s streamlined system, credits from free courses are automatically applied to your profile, making recertification seamless. This guide walks you through renewing your CCIE for free as of April 16, 2025, detailing how to take courses, the time involved, and how to stay updated on free opportunities via this blog.
Current Free CE Credit Opportunities: (Up to 16 Apr 2025)
| Course | Credit | Authority | Free Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coming Soon!! | |||
| AI Solutions on Cisco Infrastructure Essentials | DCAIE | 34 credit | Cisco U | 21 Feb 2025 – 24 Mar 2025 |
| Cisco Data Center Nexus Dashboard Essentials | DCNDE | 26 Credit | Cisco U | 8 Jul 2024 – expired |
Why CE Credits for CCIE Renewal?
CCIE certifications are valid for three years. Instead of retaking expensive exams, you can earn 120 CE credits through Cisco’s Continuing Education Program to recertify. Free courses on platforms like Cisco U. or Cisco Live keep you current on technologies like SD-WAN or automation without costing a dime.
Step-by-Step Guide to Renew Your CCIE for Free
1. Join the Cisco Continuing Education Program
- Visit the CE Portal: ce.cisco.com.
- Log in with your Cisco account, accept the terms, and enroll. Your CCIE must be Active or Suspended to participate.
- Review the CE Item Catalog for free, eligible courses.
2. Find Free CE-Eligible Course
- Cisco periodically offers free CE courses or events, such as:
- Cisco U. Demos: Free trials on Cisco U. (2–16 credits).
- Cisco Live Virtual Sessions: Select sessions offer up to 70 credits for attending 75% of the content.
- Promotional Campaigns: Past “Rev Up to Recert” offers (e.g., 56 credits in 2023) are announced on Cisco Blogs.
3. Take a Course: What to Expect
- Pass the mandatory quiz, once you complete all the quiz for whole section. The CE credit will auto update to your account. Also If the 120 credit your certificate will be auto renew immediately.
- The quiz can be retake without limitation until you pass the exam. Sometimes the question will change from time to time. But not 100%, only a potion of them.
Here’s how free CE courses on Cisco U. or Cisco Digital Learning typically work:
- Course Structure:
- Video Material: Watch lectures, demos, or slides (2–20 hours per course), with transcripts for quick review.
- Short Quizzes: Take 10–15 question quizzes after sections with unlimited attempts to reinforce learning.
- Mandatory Final Test: Pass a 20–60 question test per course or section with a 75% score (based on community reports). Retake as needed, often without limits.
- Time Commitment:
- Short courses (2–5 credits): 2–7 hours (e.g., SD-WAN Mastery modules).
- Mid-length courses (12–16 credits): 10–20 hours (e.g., Network Automation Essentials).
- Cisco Live sessions (up to 70 credits): 1–2 days of virtual attendance.
- Speed up videos (e.g., 2x) or skim transcripts to save time.
- Skipping Known Content:
- Fast-forward or skip familiar video sections in Cisco U. courses, as completion depends on passing quizzes and tests, not video watch time.
- Mandatory tests and key sections can’t be skipped, but prior knowledge helps you ace assessments quickly.
- CE Credits Earned:
- Free Cisco U. courses: 2–16 credits (e.g., 4 for Cisco DNA Center Assurance).
- Promotional bundles (e.g., Rev Up to Recert): Up to 56 credits.
- Cisco Live sessions: Up to 70 credits.
- You need 120 credits total for recertification.
4. Earn Credits Automatically
- Complete the course and pass the final test (75% score).
- For Cisco-delivered courses (e.g., Cisco U., Cisco Live), credits are automatically applied to your CertMetrics profile—no manual submission required!
- For rare non-Cisco activities (e.g., content authoring), submit details at ce.cisco.com with a certificate. Cisco verifies in 1–2 days.
- Once you reach 120 credits, your CCIE is recertified for three years from the last activity’s completion date.
5. Verify Your Progress
- Check CertMetrics to ensure credits are recorded.
- If credits are missing, contact Cisco Certification Support at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or open a case via CertMetrics.
Tips to Maximize Free CE Credits
- Stay Proactive: Free courses are time-sensitive. Check this blog regularly for the latest finds!
- Community Power: Reddit (r/ccie, r/ccnp) or Packet Pushers share free course tips. Past posts revealed “Rev Up to Recert” credits..
- Save Time: Use prior knowledge to skip videos and pass quizzes/tests quickly. Speed up videos to cut hours.
- Fallback Options: If free credits are short, author Cisco-related content (up to 20 credits) or take a professional-level exam to reduce CE needs.
Check these sources:
- Cisco U.: www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/cisco-u.html
- Cisco Learning Network: learningnetwork.cisco.com
- Cisco Blogs: blogs.cisco.com
Found a free CE course? Share it in the comments to help other CCIEs! Your tips will be featured in future updates, making this blog your go-to resource for CCIE recertification.
Key Resources
- Cisco CE Program: www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/certifications/continuing-education-program.html
- CE Portal: ce.cisco.com
- CertMetrics: www.certmetrics.com/cisco/
- Cisco Learning Network: learningnetwork.cisco.com
Final Thoughts
Renewing your CCIE for free is easier than ever with Cisco’s free CE courses and automatic credit updates. Expect to spend 2–20 hours per course on videos, unlimited-attempt quizzes, and 75% pass-rate tests (20–60 questions). Skip known content to save time and earn 2–70 credits per activity. Check this blog regularly for the latest free CE courses—I’ll keep you posted on new opportunities to keep your CCIE active without cost.