Cisco (CCNP, CCNA, CCiE)
Among the most popular certifications in the industry, the basic Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) covers installing and managing medium-size networks. It requires a passing mark on a $250 exam, and certification lasts for three years. CCNA accreditation is a prerequisite for intermediate-level Cisco system certifications such as the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), which requires passing three 2-hour exams and costs $600. At the high end, Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification is viewed as the gold standard for Cisco-specific work. There are seven tracks, with exam costs of $1750. Qualifying involves 8 hours of lab work and a passing mark on a written test.
