Do I Need CCNA RS for CCIE RS?

Before we get to the answer to this question, it is necessary to know what is CCNA Routing and Switching and what is CCIE Routing and Switching.

CCNA RS:

Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching, popularly known as CCNA R&S is a certification program for the entry-level Network Engineers that would be helping to highlight the efforts that the candidates make in accumulating foundational networking knowledge as well as increases your value to your employer’s network. 

CCNA Routing and Switching Certification are considered for the Network Support Engineers, Network Administrators, and Network Specialists who are having 1-3 years of experience. This certification is considered to be an associate level of certification presented by the Cisco, and basically, it is considered to be the first step for the Network Engineers.

Obtaining this certification has no pre-requirements. All you need to do is to clear the either CCNA Composite Exam or you could give the collaboration ICND1 and ICND2. CCNA is considered to be pre-requirements for the candidates who are appearing for the CCNP Certifications. Now, let’s learn certain details about the CCIE Routing and Switching Certification.

CCIE R&S:

The CCIE Routing and Switching stands amongst one of the most prestigious networking certifications in the industry. Interestingly, it is an expert-level certification which has no formal prerequisites. However, it is strongly recommended for the candidates to have 3 to 5 years of experience and would have earned the CCNA and CCNP Routing and Switching certifications, so as to be well prepared for the exams which would be associated with the CCIE R&S. To have this certification the candidates are required to give two exams, i.e. CCIE R&S Written Exam and CCIE R&S Lab Exam. CCIE R&S Written Exam is about two hours, which might be easy to crack out, but CCIE R&S Lab Exam, is quite gruesome and about eight hours hands-on exam, which would be quite difficult to clear it. Now, let’s move on to the actual question and find out its answer.

Is it required to gain CCNA R&S to pursue the CCIE R&S Certification?:

Well, the short answer to this question is no, you aren’t required to have a valid CCNA R&S or CCNP R&S Certification for pursuing the CCIE R&S Certification. In fact, there are no formal prerequisites for appearing for the CCIE Certification in any track, but still, candidates would be required to first clear a written exam and then the corresponding lab exam. 

Candidates pursuing the CCIE R&S Certification are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics which would be coming in the exam blueprints and strongly encouraged to have 3 to 5 years of job experience while attempting this certification.

It is required to obtain the CCNA R&S Certification, if you wish to pursue the CCNP R&S Certification or any CCIE would act as a pre-requisite, whereas no official certification is required for the CCIE R&S Pursuers to gain, but if they have followed the chronological order of this certification, clearing the CCIE R&S in single attempt, wouldn’t be that much difficult.

It is not mandatory though to pursue the CCNA R&S Certification, and there are many candidates who have obtained the CCIE R&S Certification, directly, but most of them, have obtained a good training institute, which provides them good study dumps and hands-on training to clear this certification in one go. I have seen many candidates who have trained with the certified team of the SPOTO and gained their CCIE Certification in a single attempt. SPOTO is a well-reputed institute, who has a team of expert to help you out in your study.