Cisco redesigns CCDP

Cisco recently outlined a new blueprint for its Cisco Certified Design Professional certification program. The new CCDP structure reflects the latest developments in convergence of voice, video and data.

The switching vendor is phasing out the previously required exams of Remote Access and Cisco Internetwork Design. They’ll be replaced with Designing Cisco Network Architectures (ARCH) 642-871. A beta of the ARCH exam is available as 641-871.

In conjunction with the new exam, Cisco is introducing an instructor-led course, Designing Network Service Architectures. ARCH replaces the current Cisco Internetwork Design (CID) course, which ends as of April 28. The recommended training for ARCH is available from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and the Partner E-Learning Connection.

To become a CCDP, you must already hold valid Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certifications. You also need to pass the Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) 640-901, Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BSMSN) 640-604 and ARCH exams.

If you’ve already completed the CIC exam, Cisco will recognize Remote Access and CID exams instead of ARCH until September 1.

CCDP is valid for three years. The CCDP recertification exam, 640-529, covers BSCI and BCMSN content only.

 In other news, Cisco also modified its recertification policy to benefit candidates who demonstrate additional skills beyond their current certification level. If a recertification candidate passes any new exam at the professional or Cisco Qualified Specialist level, the candidate will be considered recertified at the CCNA® or CCDA® level.

Only those exams with numbers bearing the 642 prefix, such as ARCH 642-871, may be applied to the CCNA or CCDA recertification. Alternatively, candidates still have the option of recertifying at the CCNA or CCDA level by passing the original certification exam.

For more information, go to https://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/index.html