The process of migrating from CCNA certification to another certification can be a bit complicated, depending on the type of exams you are considering taking. There are three main types of exams that are commonly used in the United States, CMI ESX-wered (Cisco Certified Network Expert) exam, MCSE-wered (Cisco Certified Systems Engineer) exam, and MCSA-computed exam (Cisco Certified Systems Specialist). If your company uses one or more of these exam types, it may be time to consider a Cisco certification migration. There are many different ways in which to accomplish this. Hiring a professional consultant can help with this process as well.

One option is to choose a path where you complete a concentration exam prior to moving to the second step. In many cases, a CCNA or other networking knowledge base certification does not require a secondary study or hands-on lab work experience. There is a large market for these types of Cisco certifications with many companies looking for quick learners and technicians with at least a basic working knowledge of networking. This option is not ideal if you are a candidate who wants to spend more time with the work side of their career, such as a network engineer. Cisco career certifications tend to be especially useful for this focus.

Another option is to complete one or more Cisco certification exams as a stand-alone study method. There are benefits to this approach, as most professionals in the IT field have at least some amount of knowledge of networking and router security. Cisco industry experts may recommend that you focus on one or two of these exams before moving forward. A CCNA or other certifications usually do not require a study plan, however, preparation for these exams can be helpful, especially if you are a Cisco specialist looking to migrate to a new position and need to acquire networking skills.

You can also choose to complete one or more Cisco certifications as a bridge exam if you already possess other certifications. It should be noted, however, that many ccie exam manufacturers (like ExamStuff) will not allow you to certify again until you already have a CCNA or other Cisco certification. If this is something you are considering, you should discuss it with your potential Cisco training provider or your Cisco professional association. While it is possible to gain entry without recertification, it would be a longer process and you would likely be required to wait longer to get your first job in the field.

If you are moving from a CCNA to CTP environment or vice versa, you should look into any available recertification policy for your specific industry. Different industries have different CCNA or other networking certifications requirement. Your Cisco Certification Migration Tool should have this information available. Some may allow re-certification upon completion of a certain number of classes, while others require full certification at the time of your move. Check with your Cisco training provider or your Cisco professional association to find out what the recommended policy is for your specific industry.

When evaluating Cisco certification migration tools, it is important to consider the difference between an in-class practice exam and a real-life simulation or hands-on lab. An in-class practice exam typically consists of questions based on previously studied material and may not give you enough time to adequately prepare for real-life scenarios. Hands-on labs allow Cisco experts and students to thoroughly learn about installation, configuration, troubleshooting, etc., but typically do not test as extensively as an in-class exam. If you need to have information up-to-date before deciding which exam to take, an in-class exam is highly recommended.

The best way to evaluate all the Cisco certification migration tools offered is to use a CCIE or CCNA review site. These sites are designed to keep existing and potential Cisco customers informed about the latest status of Cisco certification exams. Some sites also provide hands-on labs featuring real networking environments. You can get hands-on experience with many different Cisco tools including installation, configuration, diagnosing, monitoring, and maintenance. These labs allow you to develop and practice the skills needed to successfully complete a Cisco exam.

A CCIE or CCNA is one of the most sought-after certifications. Cisco experts and other employees of Cisco ensure that continued development and support of these career certifications ensure that their validity continues to be high. As long as proper preparation, testing, and feedback are utilized, any migration tool can effectively make sure your exam results are high. Finding the right Cisco certification migration tools for your needs makes a world of difference in your ability to achieve your Cisco certification goals.