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Compare certifications
Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.
Comparing
CiscoCCDE
› Cost
Exam fee
CCDE$1,750
Exam fee
$1,750
Annual maintenance fee
CCDE—
Annual maintenance fee
—
3-year cost of ownership
CCDE$1,750
3-year cost of ownership
$1,750
› Exam mechanics
Pass mark
CCDETwo-stage: written exam ~825/1000 + 8-hour scenario-based practical
Pass mark
Two-stage: written exam ~825/1000 + 8-hour scenario-based practical
Retake policy
CCDE$300 fee · 5d wait
Retake policy
$300 fee · 5d wait
Study time
CCDE800–1600 hrs
Study time
800–1600 hrs
Validity
CCDE3 yrs
Validity
3 yrs
CPE / yr
CCDE30 CPEs
CPE / yr
30 CPEs
Delivery
CCDEtest center
Delivery
test center
› Salary signal (US base)
Range
CCDE$160K – $240K
Range
$160K – $240K
Median
CCDE$195,000
Median
$195,000
Premium %
CCDE—
Premium %
—
Role context
CCDESenior network architect / consulting design lead, US, 10+ years.
Role context
Senior network architect / consulting design lead, US, 10+ years.
› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)
Schema quality
CCDE8.5
Schema quality
8.5
Practice evidence
CCDE7.5
Practice evidence
7.5
Maintenance
CCDE8.0
Maintenance
8.0
Market recognition
CCDE7.5
Market recognition
7.5
Average
CCDE7.9
Average
7.9
› Recognition & lifecycle
Recognition
CCDEGlobal
Recognition
Global
ISO 17024 accredited
CCDE—
ISO 17024 accredited
—
DoD 8140 baseline
CCDE—
DoD 8140 baseline
—
Holders worldwide
CCDE—
Holders worldwide
—
Current version
CCDECCDE v3.0 (2022-02)
Current version
CCDE v3.0 (2022-02)
› Domain coverage
A2Network Security
CCDE● core
A2Network Security
● core
A25Security Architecture & Engineering
CCDE● core
A25Security Architecture & Engineering
● core
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