Searching for your “Cisco ID” is one of the most common hurdles faced by networking professionals, whether you are registering for an upcoming certification exam, claiming digital badges, or linking credentials to an employer’s partner portal. The primary reason for this confusion is that Cisco does not rely on a single identifier. Depending on what task you are attempting to complete, you might need your web login account username or your official certification testing tracking number.
Understanding which number you need and where it is stored will save you hours of administrative frustration. This comprehensive guide clarifies the differences between Cisco’s identification systems, walks you through locating your candidate number across various portals, and explains how to recover your account if you have lost access.
Table of Contents
Understanding Cisco Identifiers: CCO ID vs. CSCO ID
Before looking up your account numbers, you must determine whether you are searching for your Cisco.com login credential or your certification testing record. The following answers clarify the distinctions between these terms.
Q: What does “Cisco ID” usually mean?
A: In conversation, “Cisco ID” is used interchangeably for two completely different identifiers: your CCO ID (your web account for Cisco.com) and your CSCO ID (your certification testing tracking number). Always verify which system is requesting the identifier before submitting it.
Q: What is a CCO ID?
A: A CCO ID (Cisco Connection Online ID) is the personal username or registered email address you use to log in to Cisco websites, including Cisco.com, Cisco U., the Cisco Learning Network, Webex, and the Cisco Commerce Workspace (CCW). It handles site authentication, access permissions, and software downloads.
Q: What is a CSCO ID (Cisco Candidate ID)?
A: A CSCO ID is an alphanumeric tracking number (typically formatted as “CSCO” followed by eight digits, such as CSCO12345678) assigned specifically to track your exam history and certification status. It is assigned by Cisco’s testing partner, Pearson VUE, upon scheduling or completing your first Cisco exam.
Q: Do I have a CSCO ID if I have never taken a Cisco certification exam?
A: No. A CSCO ID is only created when you register for and sit your first proctored exam through Pearson VUE. If you are creating an account solely to purchase training materials or access documentation, you only possess a CCO ID.
Q: Can my CCO ID and CSCO ID be the same value?
A: No. Your CCO ID is an alphanumeric username or email address you chose during web registration. Your CSCO ID is a permanent system-generated number assigned to your professional certification portfolio. However, your CCO ID is mapped to your CSCO ID inside the certification portal to grant you single sign-on access.
How to Find Your Cisco Certification ID (CSCO ID)
If you have already sat for a Cisco exam (such as CCST, CCNA, or CCNP), your CSCO ID has been generated. You can quickly locate this number using previous documentation without needing to contact customer support.
Step 1: Check Your Pearson VUE Score Report
The fastest way to find an existing CSCO ID is by reviewing the physical or digital score report provided upon exam completion.
1. If you tested in person, locate the printed score sheet handed to you by the test center proctor.
2. Near the top of the report, look for the field labeled Cisco ID or Candidate ID.
3. Your number will be displayed as CSCO followed by an eight-digit sequence.
Step 2: Download Your Digital Score Report from Pearson VUE
If you tested online via OnVUE or lost your paper report, retrieve a copy directly from the testing vendor:
1. Go to the official Pearson VUE Cisco landing page (pearsonvue.com/cisco) and log in.
2. On your candidate dashboard, locate the right-hand navigation menu and select View Score Reports.
3. Choose any previously completed exam and click View.
4. Open the PDF score report and locate the CSCO identifier listed beside your personal details.
Step 3: Search Your Email Archives
Whenever you register for or complete an exam, automated confirmation messages are issued.
1. Open your email client for any address you may have used when booking exams.
2. Search for the terms "Pearson VUE", "Cisco Score Report", or "Cisco Candidate".
3. Review the appointment confirmation or score notification messages; the email body will frequently display your Cisco ID alongside your registration details.
Cisco Certification Tracking System (CertMetrics): Portal Overview and Navigation
The official source of truth for your testing portfolio is the Cisco Certification Tracking System, powered by the CertMetrics platform.
System Definition
The Cisco Certification Tracking System serves as the centralized database for all Cisco career credentials. It manages certification status, recertification tracking, exam history, Continuing Education (CE) credits, and Credly digital badge synchronization.
Direct Access Point
- Portal URL:
https://cp.certmetrics.com/cisco/ - Alternative Shortcut:
cisco.com/go/certifications
Authentication Protocol
Access requires authentication through Cisco.com Single Sign-On (SSO). You must log in with your valid Cisco.com web username (CCO ID) and password. The portal does not accept your raw CSCO ID as a standalone login password.
Locating Your CSCO ID Within CertMetrics
Once authenticated to the dashboard, use the following interface paths to verify your identifiers:
* Primary Dashboard Display: Your active CSCO ID is permanently rendered in the upper account header banner alongside your legal name.
* External ID Directory:
1. Click Personal Info in the primary navigation menu.
2. Select My Information.
3. Scroll to the External IDs sub-section.
4. View the indexed table containing your mapped identifiers, including your Cisco.com ID, CSCO ID, Credly ID, and Pearson VUE Candidate ID.
Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering Your Cisco.com Account Username (CCO ID)
Because accessing CertMetrics requires a CCO ID, forgetting your web login will lock you out of your certification data. Follow these steps to recover an existing Cisco.com username.
[Navigate to Cisco.com]
│
▼
[Click "Log In" ➔ "Forgot Username?"]
│
▼
[Enter Registered Email Address]
│
▼
[Check Inbox for Cisco Notification]
│
▼
[Retrieve CCO ID or Reset Password]
- Access the Identity Portal: Open a browser and navigate to
cisco.comor directly toidentity.cisco.com. - Initiate Recovery: Click the Log In icon in the top-right corner. On the authentication prompt, select the Forgot username? link located beneath the username input box.
- Submit Your Email Address: Enter the email address you originally used to create your Cisco account. Click Submit.
- Inspect Recovery Email: Cisco will generate an automated email containing any CCO username(s) associated with that address. If your organization utilizes modern identity mapping, your CCO ID may simply be your complete corporate or personal email address.
- Reset Accompanying Credentials: If you cannot recall your password, return to the login screen, enter the recovered username, select Forgot password?, and follow the verification prompts sent to your inbox.
How to Contact Cisco Support for Lost IDs or Duplicate Account Merges
In certain situations—such as losing access to an old company email address, taking exams years ago under an untracked profile, or accidentally creating duplicate Pearson VUE accounts—self-service recovery is not possible. In these cases, you must open a case with Cisco Support to recover your records or merge conflicting IDs.
Step 1: Navigate to Cisco Centralized Support
Navigate to the Learning@Cisco Centralized Support platform at certsupport.cisco.com (or cisco.com/go/certsupport). Do not submit general IT hardware cases through the standard technical support portal; certification records are managed exclusively by the learning support team.
Step 2: Open a Targeted Support Ticket
Sign in (or create a new temporary Cisco.com profile) and click Open a Case. Categorize your request accurately to ensure rapid routing:
* Category: Certification & Exams
* Topic: Merge or Update CSCO ID / Account Profile Update
Step 3: Provide Verification Details
In the ticket description, provide as much historical information as possible to allow agents to locate your archived records:
* Your full legal name (matching the government ID used on exam day).
* Your current, active email address.
* Any previous email addresses formerly tied to your testing account.
* Approximate dates, test center locations, and titles of the exams you completed.
* Any known CSCO IDs (if resolving a duplicate account conflict).
Step 4: Attach Identification Documentation
To protect the integrity of certified candidate profiles, Cisco requires identity validation before altering records or merging accounts. Attach a clear, color scan of a valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport) and copies of any old score reports you possess.
Step 5: Complete Account Mapping
Once an agent confirms your identity, they will locate your legacy CSCO record, merge duplicate profiles into a single primary ID, and map that record to your active Cisco.com CCO username.
Conclusion
Finding and managing your Cisco identification numbers comes down to a clear distinction: your CCO ID handles your general web account access on Cisco.com, while your CSCO ID represents your official certification credential record. You can easily retrieve your CSCO ID from previous Pearson VUE score reports or the CertMetrics dashboard, and self-service email tools can quickly recover a forgotten CCO username.
To prevent future administrative issues, always use the exact same email address and existing CSCO ID whenever scheduling exams at Pearson VUE. Keeping these accounts synchronized ensures all your past and future certifications remain consolidated under one verified profile.
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