Increase your Networking Knowledge

CCNA Certification Is the

Data Sheet

First Step on an Industry-Recognized Career Track

Do you want to learn how to install, configure, and maintain simple

networks? Are you trying to increase your knowledge, demonstrate your
expertise, or improve your credibility? The foundation you gain when
preparing for Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA™) certification is also
the first step on an industry-recognized career track.

Gaining and Certifying Foundation Skills

The CCNA certification guarantees an individual’s networking skills at the foundation
level. Candidates who pass proctored exams receive a CCNA certificate from Cisco and
may use the CCNA designation on their business cards.

The CCNA is awarded in two tracks:

Benefits of CCNA Certification
• Routing and Switching
Overall, Cisco certification validates an
individual’s achievement, so it increases the • WAN Switching
holder’s professional credibility by ensuring
high standards of technical expertise. Note: For specific information about CCNA-WAN Switching, see
www.cisco.com/go/certifications
In particular, the CCNA certification
indicates knowledge of networking for the
small-office, home-office (SOHO) market To help candidates prepare for the certification exams, Cisco
and the ability to work in small businesses Learning Partners offer the following services:
or organizations whose networks have
fewer than 100 nodes.
• Leader-led and e-learning courses
A CCNA certified individual can do the
following: • Mentoring and online chat rooms
• Install and configure Cisco switches and
routers in multiprotocol internetworks • Hands-on skills development via Internet-enabled
using LAN and WAN interfaces
remote labs
• Provide Level 1 troubleshooting service
• Improve network performance and
security The Cisco Networking Academy Program also offers CCNA
preparation for high school and college students. Self-study
Positions for a CCNA certified individual
include:
materials are available through the Cisco Learning Store.
• Help-desk engineer
Note: Candidates may earn CCNA certification without taking any courses.
• Field technician
• Level 1 systems engineer Career certifications can be renewed by passing exams. Associate and
• Level 1 systems integrator
Professional certifications are valid for three years, Expert and
Specializations certifications for two years.
 Information and Resources
The Path to CCNA Certification
About Cisco Learning Partners—These organizations
1. Get help with the basics, if necessary. Contact Cisco Learning offer courses, remote labs, self-study materials, and other
Partners or the Cisco Networking Academy Program if you’re
resources. A Learning Locator, course information, and
just starting out.
exam dates are all available on the Training site.
2. Find out if you’re ready to take the exam. A course called www.cisco.com/go/training
Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices (ICND) prepares candi-
dates for the CCNA certification exam. Find the course descrip-
tion on the Training website (www.cisco.com/go/training) and About Cisco Networking Academy Program—This pro-
read the course objectives. If you can perform the tasks listed, gram, with its hands-on comprehensive curriculum, helps
go to step 5.
high school and college students gain real-world skills and
prepare for the CCNA.
3. Determine your training needs. Find and read the pre-
requisites for the ICND course. If you can meet the general and
www.cisco.com/edu/academies
specific prerequisites, go to step 4.
About E-Learning—E-learning is the Cisco Internet-enabled
4. Develop fundamental skills with self-paced training. Purchase learning approach. E-learning can offer content delivery in
the Internetworking Technology Multimedia (ITM) CD at the multiple formats, Web-based management of the learning
Cisco Learning Store on the Training site. Use the CD to become
familiar with the terminology, protocols, and devices you need experience, and a networked community of learners and
to understand before taking ICND. experts. An increasing number of courses are available in
e-learning editions.
5. Develop the specific skills in an e-learning or instructor-led www.cisco.com/go/e-learning
course. Read about the two versions of the ICND course. Decide
which version best meets your needs and, using the Learning
Locator on the Training site, find a Cisco Learning Partner who About Cisco Career Certifications—This program awards
offers it. Alternate approaches are the Cisco Networking certifications in network support and design to individuals
Academy Program or self-study. who demonstrate proficiency in proctored exams and, at
the highest level, hands-on laboratory work.
6. Take the CCNA exam. Look on the Certifications website for www.cisco.com/go/certifications
exam information. Register on line and take the proctored exam
in a secure environment. When you pass a certification exam,
you receive a certificate in the mail, and a designation to place
on your business card.

Corporate Headquarters European Headquarters Americas Headquarters Asia Pacific Headquarters

Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco Systems Europe Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco Systems Australia Pty.,
170 West Tasman Drive 11, Rue Camille Desmoulins 170 West Tasman Drive Ltd.
San Jose, CA 95134-1706 92782 Issy Les Moulineaux San Jose, CA 95134-1706 Level 17, Walker Street
USA Cedex 9 USA North Sydney
http://www.cisco.com France http://www.cisco.com NSW 2059 Australia
Tel: 408 526-4000 http://www-europe.cisco.com Tel: 408 526-7660 http://www.cisco.com
800 553-NETS (6387) Tel: 33 1 58 04 60 00 Fax: 408 527-0883 Tel: 61 2 8448 7100
Fax: 408 526-4100 Fax: 33 1 58 04 61 00 Fax: 61 2 9957 4350

Cisco Systems has more than 200 offices in the following countries. Addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers are listed on the
Cisco Connection Online Web site at http://www.cisco.com/go/offices.
Argentina • Australia • Austria • Belgium • Brazil • Canada • Chile • China • Colombia • Costa Rica • Croatia • Czech Republic • Denmark • Dubai, UAE
Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Hong Kong • Hungary • India • Indonesia • Ireland • Israel • Italy • Japan • Korea • Luxembourg • Malaysia
Mexico • The Netherlands • New Zealand • Norway • Peru • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Puerto Rico • Romania • Russia • Saudi Arabia • Singapore
Slovakia • Slovenia • South Africa • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Taiwan • Thailand • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom • United States • Venezuela
Copyright © 2000 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. CCNA is a trademark, and Cisco, Cisco IOS, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. or its
affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership
relationship between Cisco and any other company. (08/31/00) (0005R)