How I’m (Happily) Stacking Free CE Credits to Keep My CCNA/CCNP Fresh
If you’re like me—always tinkering with labs, skimming articles over coffee, and squeezing in learning between projects—then Continuing Education (CE) credits are your best friend. They’re the easiest win you’ll get: keep your certifications active, grow your skills, and yes… do it all online for free.
Here’s how I’ve been taking advantage of CE credits and how you can, too.
1) Renew your CCNA/CCNP without exam stress
CE credits let you renew your CCNA/CCNP by completing approved learning instead of booking another test. Knock out a few solid courses and your expiration anxiety melts away.
2) Expand your knowledge (like you’re supposed to anyway)
Go beyond “what works” to why it works—automation, design trade-offs, security nuances, cloud integrations, and more. That curiosity now counts toward renewal and levels you up on real-world topics.
3) Do everything online
No travel. No hotel. No awkward conference coffee. Just open your laptop and earn credits at your own pace—for free.
There are 60 free CE credits available right now—more than enough to renew your CCNA without paying a cent.
If you’re already at the CCNP level, plan early. Pace your learning across the year before your renewal date and you can renew for free. If you wait until the last minute, the free track may not offer enough credits.
I suggest you check periodically—about once a month—for new free offerings.
This is the fastest path:
Go to Cisco U (your Cisco account is all you need).
Click Explore.
Set Subscription Levels = Free and Continuing Education (CE) .
Enroll, learn, complete the assessments.
It’s now easier than ever—once you complete an eligible course, the CE credits post to your account automatically. No manual submission needed like before.
Did I say it was free? Yes—it’s free.
Use the CE badge as your green light. Confirm the course page shows the CE badge and the credit count.
Sign in with the right Cisco ID. Use the same Cisco ID tied to your Certification Tracking profile so credits auto-post.
Filter like a pro. In Cisco U → Explore, set Subscription Levels = Free and Continuing Education (CE).
Stay in the loop. Turn on Cisco U notifications (or just check monthly) for new free CE offerings.
If credits don’t show after completion: ensure the course shows Completed and still has the CE badge; if it does and nothing posts, ping Cisco U support to nudge the sync.
Kick off with the pre/post assessments to spot gaps, focus on what you missed, then work through the course. Afterward, retake the post-assessment until you hit the score (usually 80%). Eligible courses auto-post CE when you finish.
Q: Can I renew CCNA/CCNP purely with CE?
A: Yes. Earn enough approved credits within your cycle and you can renew without retaking an exam.
Q: How many credits do I need?
A: Clear targets: 30 CE for CCNA, 80 CE for CCNP— You can combine credits from multiple eligible courses until you hit the total. Just make sure each course is CE-eligible and completed within your recertification window.
Q: I actually like taking tests—will I still get one?
A: Yep. You’ll take a post-assessment (typically 80% to pass).
Q: When does my new renewal date start after CE?
A: Your certification renews on the date you finish all required CE credits, and it’s valid for three years from that date.
Example: If your cert was set to expire on December 31 but you complete your CE on October 5, your new renewal date is October 5, and your certification is valid for three years from then.
Q: Is it really free?
A: Yes. Use the Free + CE filters in Cisco U and stick to those courses. No fees, no tricks.
Q: I enjoy certification exams—should I skip CE?
A: Do both if you want. Use CE to bridge new features and keep certs current for free; save exams for when you want a challenge or to level up.
Open Cisco U → Explore.
Filter Subscription Levels: Free and CE credits.
Enroll in the course/s that matches.
Take the pre/post assessments, target your gaps, finish the course.
Watch the credits automatically hit your account.
That’s a tangible step toward keeping your CCNA/CCNP current, leveling up your skills, and doing it entirely for free.