Question:         Why is Cisco retiring the CCIP  certification?
Answer:           Since CCIP was originally released approximately 10 years  ago, Cisco has created/released numerous service provider carrier-grade  products, introduced a new Cisco IOS XR operating system, and released a host  of new core, transport, and edge technologies. Hence with all this change the  Cisco CCIP certification was due for a major update or redesign. The CCIP certification is  being retired and replaced with the CCNP  Service Providercertification. This new certification is more relevant to  the present service provider market, aligns better with the network engineering  job role, and emphasizes the latest Cisco Service Provider products and Cisco  IOS-XR operating system.

For more information on  the CCNP Service Provider certification, please visit the Cisco Learning  Network:

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccnp_service_provider .

Question:        How  does the introduction of the CCNP Service Provider certification effect my CCIP  certification?
Answer:           The Cisco CCIP certification will be recognized as a valid certification until it is  retired.  CCIP professionals can  recertify until October 29, 2012 and will be valid for three years. No new CCIP  certifications will be issued after October 29, 2012 when CCIP is retired.

Question:         What is the status of the CCIP  exams and courses?
Answer:            CCIP Exam End of  Life dates:

• BGP  (642-661) Exam: July 27, 2012
• MPLS  (642-611) Exam: July 27, 2012
• BGP+MPLS  (642-691) Exam: July 27, 2012
• QoS  (642-642) Exam: The  last day to test using QoS exam for CCIP certification is October 29, 2012.  However, QoS exam will continue to be available for associated certifications  beyond October 29, 2012.
• ROUTE  (642-902) Exam: The  last day to test using ROUTE exam for CCIP certification is October 29, 2012.  However, ROUTE exam will continue to be available for associated certifications  beyond October 29, 2012.

CCIP Courses End of Life dates:

• BGP,  MPLS, and QoS Courses: EoL July 31, 2013

Question:         If my CCIP certification has  expired can I still recertify my CCIP certification?
Answer:           Candidates may recertify their CCIP certification through  October 29, 2012 and will be valid for three years. However, the CCIP certification  will be retired on October 29, 2012 and Cisco will no longer issue new  certifications. Individuals interested in pursuing a professional-level Cisco  Service Provider certification are encouraged to obtain the Cisco CCNP Service  Provider certification.

Question:        How do I achieve a CCNP Service  Provider certification if I already have a CCIP?
Answer:           For  more information on migration from CCIP to CCNP Service Provider certification,  please visit the CCIP  Migration Tool.

Question:        If I am working on my CCIP certification, can I apply the  completed exams towards a CCNP Service Provider certification?
Answer:           In some cases you are able to apply completed CCIP exams  towards a CCNP Service Provider certification, but not all exams within the  CCIP track will be accepted. For complete information on the status of CCIP  exams within the CCNP Service Provider certification, please visit the CCIP  Migration Tool.

Question:        Where  can I find more information on the CCNP Service Provider certification?
Answer:           For more information on the CCNP Service Provider  certification, please visit the Cisco Learning Network: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccnp_service_provider .