{"id":147,"date":"2026-08-29T20:00:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T20:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nceducations.com\/blog\/?p=147"},"modified":"2026-08-28T17:42:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T17:42:58","slug":"cisco-certification-roadmap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nceducations.com\/blog\/cisco-certification-roadmap\/","title":{"rendered":"Cisco Certification Roadmap 2026: PDF, Cost, CCNA to CCIER Certification List, Guidance, Labs Experience, Salary Expectations & Career Path"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cisco certification roadmap has five levels: Entry (CCST), Associate (CCNA, CyberOps Associate, CCNA Automation), Professional (CCNP, with tracks like Enterprise, Security, Data Centre, Collaboration, Cybersecurity, and Automation), Expert (CCIE, the hands-on lab-tested credential), and Architect (Cisco Certified Architect, the highest tier).<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost every engineer starts with <\/span>CCNA<\/b>, specialises at <\/span>CCNP<\/b> in the track closest to their career goal, and moves to <\/span>CCIE<\/b> only once they need to prove expert, lab-tested skill in that same track. Cisco restructured several tracks in 2026 – including retiring the DevNet name in favour of “Automation” certifications and refreshing CCNA with AI, automation, and cloud content – so a roadmap written even a year ago is already out of date in places.<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide maps every level in detail, explains what changed in 2026, compares cost and timelines, and shows how NC Educations structures its training around this exact path.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cisco Certification Roadmap 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This roadmap works whether you’re <\/span>completely new to networking<\/b>, an <\/span>IT support or helpdesk professional<\/b> planning your next certification, or a <\/span>CCNA\/CCNP holder<\/b> deciding which track to specialise in next. Cisco’s system is built as a ladder – each level assumes the one below it – so knowing exactly where you are and what comes next matters more than chasing every new exam that gets announced.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 5 Levels of Cisco Certification<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Level<\/b><\/td>\nCertification<\/b><\/td>\nWhat It Proves<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Entry<\/b><\/td>\nCCST (Cisco Certified Support Technician)<\/span><\/td>\nBasic IT and networking literacy – no prior experience needed<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Associate<\/b><\/td>\nCCNA, CyberOps Associate, CCNA Automation<\/span><\/td>\nFoundational, job-ready skill in networking, security operations, or automation<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Professional<\/b><\/td>\nCCNP (Enterprise, Security, Data Centre, Collaboration, Service Provider, Cybersecurity, Automation)<\/span><\/td>\nDeep, specialised competence in one technology track<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Expert<\/b><\/td>\nCCIE (matching CCNP tracks)<\/span><\/td>\nExpert-level, hands-on skill validated through an 8-hour practical lab exam<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Architect<\/b><\/td>\nCisco Certified Architect (CCAr)<\/span><\/td>\nThe ability to design and lead infrastructure strategy at the largest enterprise scale<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

1. Entry Level: CCST<\/b><\/h3>\n

Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST)<\/b> is Cisco’s entry point for people with little or no IT background. It’s not required if you’re confident jumping straight into CCNA, but it’s a useful on-ramp for absolute beginners or students validating basic networking and cybersecurity literacy before committing to a full associate-level exam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Associate Level: CCNA and Beyond<\/b><\/p>\n

This is where almost every serious networking career actually begins.<\/span><\/p>\n