Upon successful completion of the hands on lab exam, a new CCIE is awarded a CCIE

number. The first CCIE number allocated (in 1993) was 1024, and has increased

incrementally from there. A lower number indicates that the CCIE was awarded some

time back, a higher number indicated a more recently awarded certification. As of

July 2009, the highest CCIE number allocated was just under 25000.

Number 1024 was allocated to the first CCIE lab location, rather than to an

individual, and featured as a plaque at the entrance to the lab. Number 1025 was

awarded to Stuart Biggs, who created the first written exam and first lab exam. The

first person to pass both CCIE written and lab exams was Terrance Slattery, who was

consulting to Cisco at the time when the lab was being devised. Terry Slattery (CCIE

1026) was therefore the first CCIE who passed both exams, and the first CCIE who was

not an employee of Cisco.

Any CCIE who obtains further CCIE certifications, is not awarded any further numbers,

the new CCIE certification is awarded under the same number as the original.

Every two years a CCIE has to take a CCIE written test to retain the certification.

If this is not done, the CCIE is in a suspended status. After one further year, if a

written test has not been undertaken and passed, the CCIE is then revoked. The CCIE

certification can then only be re-gained by taking the written exam and lab exam from

scratch.

Recertification can be obtained by passing any CCIE written exam. Recertification can

occur up to 2 years before a CCIE's expiration date. After passing a CCIE written

exam for recertification, a CCIE must wait 6 months before re-taking the test to use

for re-certification.