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Specialization Role Requirements Comparison Chart


The below table presents the exams required for the AM, SE, FE, and other specified roles for Cisco specializations. Details of each specialization or exam may be found by following the individual hyperlinks.

Exams presented in a horizontal row (left to right) under a role title (AM, SE, FE) represent options that may be used to fulfill that role requirement (exam A or exam B; choose one).

Exams presented in a vertical column (top to bottom) under a role title (AM, SE, FE) represent all the requirements needed to fulfill that role (exam A and exam B; each is needed).

Candidates for specialization roles are responsible for confirming current requirements on a regular basis. Cisco will attempt to alert candidates to retiring exam schedules via web-based announcements, email newsletters (if opted-in), and on the individual exam pages. At a minimum, candidates should check for exam retirement dates and replacement exams monthly to ensure up-to-date information when planning for role fulfillment.

Some career certifications may be superseded by others. See bottom of screen for details.

Role sharing rules do not apply to specializations or roles indicated by **. No role sharing limits exist for these.

Role sharing allows: A single qualified individual may fill only the AM role in up to a total of 4 specializations. A single qualified individual may fill only the SE role in up to a total of 2 specializations. A single qualified individual may fill only the FE role in up to a total of 2 specializations. Individuals may not cross-populate between the AM, SE and FE roles.

Last Updated: October 1, 2008

Specialization Name & Role: AM Effective Date SE Effective Date FE Effective Date
SMB** 650-175 1-Oct-08 650-180 1-Oct-08 Combined Eng role with SE n/a
 
Express Foundation 646-204 24-May-08 CCDA 1-Oct-07 CCNA 1-Oct-07
646-362 or 646-363 14-Apr-08 642-372 or 642-373 14-Apr-08 642-382 or 642-383 14-Apr-08
650-393
(not required if passed 646-363)
10-Dec-07 650-393
(not required if passed 642-373)
10-Dec-07 650-393
(not required if passed 642-383)
10-Dec-07
 
Express Unified Communications 646-204 24-May-08 CCDA 1-Oct-07 No FE role required n/a
646-223 9-May-08 642-144 1-Oct-07
650-393 10-Dec-07 650-393 10-Dec-07
 
Advanced Unified Communications 646-204 24-May-08 CCDA 1-Oct-07 CCVP 1-Oct-07
646-230 18-May-08 642-415 25-Jun-08 650-251 5-Jan-08
650-393 10-Dec-07 642-642 1-Oct-07 See #1 below for additional AUC requirements
  650-251 5-Jan-08
 
Advanced Security 646-204 24-May-08 CCDA 1-Oct-07 CCSP CCIE 1-Oct-07
646-562 646-563 31-Oct-08 642-565 642-566 31-Oct-08 650-575 28-Dec-07
650-393
(not required if passed 646-563)
31-Oct-08 650-575
(not required if passed 642-566)
31-Oct-08  
 
Advanced Wireless LAN 646-204 24-May-08 CCDA 1-Oct-07 CCNA 1-Oct-07
646-588 1-Oct-07 642-586 1-Oct-07 642-587 1-Oct-07
650-393 10-Dec-07 650-621 15-Jan-08 650-621 15-Jan-08
 
Advanced Routing & Switching 646-204 24-May-08 CCDA 1-Oct-07 CCNP 1-Oct-07
646-003 15-Nov-07 642-061 18-Dec-07 642-066  18-Dec-07
650-393 10-Dec-07 650-059 10-Dec-07 650-059 10-Dec-07
646-653 15-Nov-07 642-651 15-Nov-07 642-652 15-Nov-07
 
Advanced Data Center Storage Networking 646-204 24-May-08 642-355 1-Oct-07 CCIE-Storage  or 642-356 1-Oct-07
646-976 18-Aug-08  
 
Advanced Data Center Networking Infrastructure 646-204 30-May-08 CCDA 30-May-08 CCNP 30-May-08
646-976 30-May-08 642-971 30-May-08 642-973 30-May-08
  642-974 30-May-08
  See #2 below for additional DCNI requirements
 
Global Commerce No role requirements n/a No role requirements n/a No role requirements n/a
 
#1) Additional Roles for AUC
Advanced Unified Communications Additional Role #1 Effective Date Additional Role #2 Effective Date Additional Role #3 Effective Date Additional Role #4 Effective Date
642-164 16-Mar-08 642-072 1-Oct-07 642-105 4-May-08 642-481 1-Oct-07
642-436 26-Jul-08
#2) Additional Roles for DCNI
Advanced Data Center Networking Infrastructure Additional Role #1 Effective Date Additional Role #2 Effective Date  
642-972 30-May-08 642-975 30-May-08  
 

** Indicates specializations or roles without role sharing rules in effect.

Retired Specializations:

CRM Express Solution – Last day to apply for new or renewal was September 30, 2007

Security VPN/Firewall Express – Last day to apply for new or renewal was February 1, 2008

Data Center Networking Infrastructure Version 1.0 - Last day to apply for new or renewal was April 8, 2008. DCNI Version 2.0 became effective May 30, 2008.

Career Certification Hierarchy:

CCIE = CCIE
CCSP = CCIE or CCSP
CCVP = CCIE or CCVP
CCIP = CCIE or CCIP
CCDP = CCIE or CCDP
CCNP = CCIE or CCNP
CCSP = CCIE and CCSP
CCDA = CCIE or CCDP or CCDA
CCNA = CCIE or CCIP or CCDP or CCNP or CCSP or CCNA

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