Does the CCNA expire? How to renew your CCNA

Yes, the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) expires. The certification is valid for three years, and if you want to keep it active, you have to recertify before the expiration date.

Cisco gives you several ways to do it. You can pass the current CCNA exam again, pass a higher-level Cisco exam, or earn 30 continuing education (CE) credits through training, events, and other approved activities. You can also combine exams and credits.

This guide explains how long the CCNA lasts, each way to renew it, how CE credits work, what happens if your certification lapses, and how the new version of the CCNA exam, which starts on February 3, 2027, affects renewal.

How long is the CCNA valid?

The CCNA is valid for three years from the date you earn it. According to Cisco’s exam and certification policies, you must meet the recertification requirements within three years of earning the certification, or within three years of your most recent recertification. Each time you recertify, the deadline resets to exactly three years from that date.

Cisco emails reminders to the address in your certification profile two years and one year before your certification expires, and again at 90, 60, and 30 days. Still, Cisco makes it your responsibility to monitor your status, so check your expiration date in the Certification Tracking System, where you can also follow your CE progress.

How the CCNA compares with the CCST

Cisco’s entry-level Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) certifications follow different rules. A CCST earned on or after July 15, 2025, is valid for five years, and one earned before that date doesn’t expire. CE credits can’t be used to renew a CCST: you recertify by passing the current CCST exam, any current Associate-level exam (such as the CCNA), or a higher Cisco exam.

How to renew your CCNA

Cisco’s recertification policy lets you recertify at any time while your CCNA is active. You have three options, and you only need to complete one of them.

Pass the current CCNA exam

Passing the current CCNA exam, Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (200-301 CCNA), renews your certification. It’s the most familiar route, since you’ve passed the exam before, but the exam changes over time, so expect to study again. The exam costs $300; our guide to CCNA cost and vouchers covers the fee and ways to save on it.

What the 2027 change means for you: Version 1.1 of the exam can be taken through February 2, 2027, and version 2.0 is the only version from February 3, 2027. Both count toward recertification. If you plan to renew by exam after the switch, you’ll be studying for the new version, which puts more weight on troubleshooting and adds agentic AI. If your CCNA expires before February 2027, you can renew on version 1.1 or with CE credits.

Pass a higher-level Cisco exam

Passing any higher-level Cisco certification exam also renews your CCNA. For most CCNA holders, that means an exam from a professional-level certification such as CCNP Enterprise: either the core exam (350-401 ENCOR, $400) or a concentration exam (such as 300-410 ENARSI, $300). This is a good option if you’re already working toward your next certification, since one exam renews your CCNA and moves you forward at the same time.

Earn 30 CE credits

You can also renew without taking an exam by earning 30 credits through Cisco’s Continuing Education program. The next section explains how credits are earned and tracked.

Combine exams and credits

Cisco’s policies say you can recertify by taking exams, earning credits, or a combination of both. That’s because every passed exam also earns CE credits, which add to the credits you earn from training:

For example, a passed Practitioner-level exam (15 credits) plus 15 credits of eligible training adds up to the 30 you need.

How Cisco Continuing Education credits work

The CE program is open to anyone with an active Practitioner, Associate, Specialist, Professional, or Expert certification. Your activities must be completed before your certification expires.

Eligible activities

Cisco’s qualifying options fall into four groups:

• Eligible training: Instructor-led courses from Cisco or authorized learning partners, CE-eligible Learning Paths in Cisco U., and approved workshops. Each is worth four to 64 credits, depending on the training, and only items in Cisco’s CE Credit Catalog count.
• Certification exams: Credits are awarded for passing exams, as shown in the table above.
• Exam development: Writing exam questions or joining exam workshops through Cisco’s subject matter expert program.
• Cisco Live technical sessions: Approved sessions at Cisco Live events, if you badge in and attend at least 75% of the session.

Pick the activities that fit your schedule and career goals, and you can work toward your 30 credits at your own pace.

Submitting and tracking credits

You manage CE credits in My CE Portal in Cisco U., where you can see your credit history, browse the catalog of eligible training, and submit claims. Under Cisco’s CE policies:

• Automatic credits: Credits for passed exams are always applied automatically, and credits for most training arrive within 48 hours of completion.
• Manual claims: If credits don’t appear, submit a claim within 365 days of finishing the activity, from the Cisco.com account you used to complete it. Most claims are validated within seven days, though some take up to 30.
• How long credits last: Earned credits are valid for three years from the date you completed the activity, and they’re applied in the order you earned them.
• Extra credits: Credits beyond what you need roll over into your next recertification cycle.

Once you reach 30 credits, Cisco recertifies you automatically, based on the date you completed the last qualifying activity.

What CE credits cost

Cisco doesn’t list a fee for claiming CE credits. The cost is in the activity itself: an exam fee, a course, or a Cisco Live pass. Cisco U. has a free plan with select Learning Paths and paid 365-day plans with more, so check the CE Credit Catalog to see which Learning Paths earn credits before you pay for one.

When to renew and what happens if your CCNA expires

You can start working toward recertification as soon as you earn your CCNA. CE credits build up over the three years, so steady training adds up without a last-minute rush. If you plan to renew by exam, give yourself enough time to study and, if needed, to retake it: after a failed attempt, Cisco makes you wait five calendar days before trying again.

Keep in mind that recertifying early doesn’t add time to your current expiration date. Your new three-year period starts on the day you meet the requirements.

Is there a grace period?

No. Cisco states that it doesn’t provide extensions, and you must meet all requirements by your expiration date. If your CCNA expires, your status becomes inactive, and you have to complete the full exam process again to earn it back.

There’s one exception for credits still being validated. If you completed an activity before your expiration date but your claim was still pending, those credits apply retroactively, based on the completion date, once Cisco validates the claim.

Renewing your CCNA when you hold a CCNP

If you hold a higher certification, you don’t need to renew your CCNA separately. Cisco states that credits accumulate until you recertify your highest level of certification, and at that point all certifications at that level and below become recertified. Earning a higher-level certification also recertifies the lower ones.

For a CCNP holder, that means recertifying the CCNP (80 CE credits, or the equivalent in exams) renews the CCNA too. Passing a CCNP core exam alone earns 80 credits. Our CCNA vs. CCNP comparison explains how the two certifications differ, and the Cisco certification path shows where each level fits.

Final thoughts

The CCNA lasts three years, and keeping it active is mostly a matter of planning. Decide early whether you’ll renew by exam, with CE credits, or by moving up to a CCNP, and check your status in the Certification Tracking System so the deadline doesn’t catch you off guard.

If you’re renewing by exam after February 3, 2027, prepare for version 2.0. Our guide to the CCNA exam topics covers the new version domain by domain, our CCNA study guide lays out a step-by-step plan, and our list of the best CCNA prep courses can help you choose your study materials.