The short version
Your CCNA is valid for three years. You can renew it by passing the current CCNA exam or a higher-level Cisco exam, or by earning 30 continuing education (CE) credits. If you fail a written exam, you wait five calendar days before the next try. This page goes deeper than the retake notes on the exam format page and covers the renewal side as well.
How long the CCNA lasts
Cisco’s exam policies say that Associate-level certifications are valid for three years. The clock starts when you pass. Cisco’s CCNA certification page repeats the three-year validity. Nothing else about the credential needs maintenance during those years: there is no annual fee mentioned on the pages we read.
Your renewal options
Cisco’s CCNA page names two routes. You can use either one within the three years.
- Pass an exam. Pass the current CCNA exam, or any higher-level Cisco certification exam. A higher-level exam is one at the Professional level or above, for example a CCNP concentration exam. Cisco’s CCNA exam page also says the exam “can be used towards your recertification goals.”
- Earn 30 CE credits. Credits come from approved Cisco activities, such as Cisco training courses and webinars. Cisco’s page lists the number as 30 for the CCNA. Community guidance on Cisco’s own forums says credits must be earned before the certification expires, so do not leave them to the last week. The exact list of approved activities is on Cisco’s continuing education pages and can change, so read it when you plan your renewal.
Cisco’s policies add one detail that matters: completing a recertification resets the deadline to three years from that event. Renewal is not a one-time extension; it starts a new three-year period.
We do not print fees. Check Cisco’s exam page for the current exam fee, and see our certification costs guide for the general picture.
What happens if it lapses
Cisco’s policies state that once a certification expires and becomes inactive, you must meet the full current requirements to get it back. In plain words: if you miss the deadline, renewal credits no longer help, and you take the exam again as if you were starting over. That is the strongest reason to set a calendar reminder about six months before your expiry date.
Retake rules
Cisco’s policy for written exams, which includes the CCNA, is simple:
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| You fail an attempt | Wait five calendar days, counted from the day after the failed attempt |
| You pass and want to take the same exam again | Wait at least 180 days before retaking the same exam number |
| Number of attempts | No maximum for written exams is stated on the policies page |
| Score details | Cisco reports a section breakdown, not a passing score; scores can be revised after testing |
Cisco does not publish a passing score, so the section breakdown is your best guide. If a section shows weakness, rebuild that domain in a lab before you book again. Our domains explained page helps you map the breakdown to topics.
Two details Cisco’s pages do not give for written exams: a deadline or fee for rescheduling, and a limit on attempts. Ask when you book rather than assuming.
Version changes: v1.1 and v2.0
Cisco Press states that the first testing date for CCNA 200-301 v2.0 is February 3, 2027, that the code stays 200-301, and that the v1.1 exam is valid until February 2027. Cisco’s own CCNA pages we read still describe v1.1 and do not mention v2.0.
What this means for you:
- If you pass v1.1 before the change: Cisco’s validity rule is three years from passing. Nothing we read says a new exam version shortens that period. Confirm on Cisco’s site if your date is close to the changeover.
- If you fail v1.1 close to the end: the five-day wait still applies, but the version may retire before you try again. Check the last v1.1 testing date before you rebook. Cisco Press says only “February 2027,” and we did not find an exact last day on a Cisco page.
- If you want to renew an old CCNA: the renewal route says “current CCNA exam.” After February 3, 2027, Cisco’s cited source suggests that means v2.0. Read the CCNA page again when you book.
- The 180-day rule: Cisco states it by exam number. Because the code stays 200-301, ask Cisco whether the wait applies across v1.1 and v2.0 if you have recently passed.
A short timeline example
This is an illustration, not a prediction.
- March 2027: you pass CCNA v2.0.
- March 2030: your three years end. Your renewal window is the three years before that date.
- Autumn 2029: you start earning CE credits, or you book a higher-level Cisco exam.
- If you pass that exam or reach 30 credits before March 2030, the new deadline is three years after that event.
- If you miss it, you restart with the full requirements.
More guides for CCNA-200-301-V2
- CCNA 200-301 v2.0 Study Plan: 4 or 8 Weeks
- CCNA 200-301 v2.0 Sample Questions
- Is CCNA 200-301 v2.0 Hard? An Honest Look
- Is CCNA 200-301 Worth It? An Honest Look
- CCNA 200-301 v2.0 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts
- CCNA vs CCNA Automation: Which Exam First?
- CCNA vs Network+: Which Exam First?
Next step
Read the exam format page for the day-of rules, and check the prerequisites page if a retake means going back to basics. When you want to find weak domains before you book again, our CCNA 200-301 v2.0 practice tests give a score per domain. The overview is at CCNA 200-301 v2.0 exam guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake the CCNA to renew?
No. Cisco lists two routes: pass the current CCNA or a higher-level exam, or earn 30 CE credits.
Can I retake right after failing?
No. You wait five calendar days, starting the day after the failed attempt.
Is there a limit on retakes?
Cisco’s policies page states no cap for written exams.
Does a CCNA pass reset when v2.0 starts?
Nothing we read says so. Cisco states a three-year validity from the date you pass. Confirm with Cisco if you are near the changeover.