CCIE/CCDE Emeritus

Long term CCIE, CCDE, or both CCIE and CCDE who have moved out of the "day to day" technical work but would like to stay involved in the program serving as ambassadors to current and future CCIE/CCDE's.

At the 10th anniversary of being a CCIE, CCDE or both CCIE and CCDE Cisco will send an email informing the potential eligibility for Emeritus. At the 20th anniversary, any active CCIE or CCIE Emeritus that maintains their CCIE active or Emeritus status for 20 consecutive years will be given a CCIE Lifetime Emeritus Benefit.

• CCIEs and CCDEs active for at least 10 consecutive years desiring to join the Emeritus program must purchase Emeritus in the CCIE lab portal under the "Purchase Emeritus" tab.
• Emeritus status is granted for one year from your expiration date. Emeritus CCIEs and CCDEs must reapply and pay the fee each year to maintain status. Reapplication is available 3 months prior to the current Emeritus expiration date.
• Note: You are responsible for keeping track of your yearly application date and reapply as needed.

The Emeritus process is detailed on the Certification Policies.

Visit Emeritus policy

• Any active CCIE or CCIE Emeritus that maintains their CCIE active or Emeritus status for 20 consecutive years will be given a CCIE Lifetime Emeritus Benefit.
• CCIE Lifetime Emeritus means that the holder would retain the CCIE Emeritus status for life without further Emeritus renewal fees. Active CCIEs do not retain an Emeritus status.
• When a CCIE member that qualifies for CCIE Lifetime Emeritus tenure option fails to recertify their CCIE until the last day of their recertification cycle, they will be automatically granted the CCIE Lifetime Emeritus status to save them from going inactive.
• A CCIE Lifetime Emeritus may become "active" again by fulfilling CCIE recertification requirements.

• Permission to use Emeritus logo (subject to Cisco requirements)
• In situations where the logo is not applicable, the word Emeritus will follow CCIE/CCDE number
• CCIE/CCDE number is maintained, but now classified as Emeritus status
• Candidate is recognized for technical proficiency and long-term status within the program
• Continue to participate in discussion forums, blogs, groups, etc., as an Emeritus
• Opportunity to re-enter active CCIE/CCDE status by fulfilling the current recertification requirements

CCIE and CCDE Emeritus or Lifetime Emeritus are non-active status. As such the following rules apply:

• It does not recertify lower-level certifications.
• It does not provide TAC support privileges or preference.
• It does not count toward Channel/Partner requirements.
• It does not apply to maintaining status levels for Channel Partners.
• It does not recognize or qualify for CCIE or CCDE anniversary.
• It does require candidates to continue to report violations to the program when encountered.
• You are still governed by all the Cisco Expert-Level certification non-discloser agreements.