How to Get Cisco Exam Voucher​​​?

In the competitive landscape of Information Technology, Cisco certifications stand as a global benchmark for excellence. They validate the critical skills in networking, security, and automation that hiring managers actively seek, often serving as a key differentiator for candidates in the job market.¹ However, the path to certification involves a significant financial commitment. Exam fees can range from $125 for entry-level credentials like the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) to $400 for a professional-level core exam like the CCNP Enterprise, with expert-level lab exams costing well over $1,000.³ This cost can be a substantial barrier for many aspiring professionals. The primary tool for mitigating this expense is the Cisco exam voucher, a prepaid code that covers the full or partial cost of an exam, making these career-accelerating credentials more attainable.

Cisco exam vouchers can be acquired through four primary channels. The most direct method is purchasing them from official partners like Pearson VUE or authorized resellers. For dedicated students, the Cisco Networking Academy offers a pathway to earn substantial discounts by meeting specific academic performance criteria. For professionals in corporate environments, exam costs can often be covered by redeeming company-owned Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs). Finally, candidates can take advantage of special promotions, such as the Exam Safeguard offer or training bundles sold directly by Cisco.

Navigating these options can be complex, as the most effective strategy depends entirely on an individual’s unique situation. A student enrolled in a partner college, an employee at a large tech firm, and a self-studier preparing independently will each find a different path to be the most advantageous. This report provides a detailed, fact-based exploration of each method, equipping candidates with the necessary information to choose the most financially prudent strategy for their certification journey.

Blog Claim: While several methods exist for obtaining a Cisco exam voucher, the most strategic and impactful way for individual learners to manage certification costs is by leveraging Cisco’s own ecosystem programs. Specifically, the Cisco Networking Academy offers the most accessible and substantial discount available to individuals, directly rewarding academic commitment with significant financial relief.

Where Can You Directly Purchase Cisco Exam Vouchers?

The most straightforward method for obtaining a Cisco exam voucher is through direct purchase. This option is designed for candidates who are confident in their preparation, have a clear timeline for taking their exam, and are not eligible for other discount programs. While it offers the least in terms of cost savings, its primary advantages are speed and convenience, allowing a candidate to secure their exam payment method immediately and proceed with scheduling.

Cisco exam vouchers can be purchased directly from Cisco’s official global testing partner, Pearson VUE. Vouchers are also available through other authorized channels, including Cisco Press, Certiport (for CCST exams specifically), and a network of third-party resellers such as Global IT Success and GetCertified4Less.⁴

The landscape for purchasing Cisco exam vouchers is well-defined, with official and authorized channels providing a secure way to prepay for certification tests. Understanding the roles of these different vendors is key to making an informed purchase.

The Official Channel: Pearson VUE

Pearson VUE is Cisco’s exclusive global partner for the administration of its certification exams.⁴ All exam scheduling, whether for an in-person test at an authorized center or for an online proctored exam via the OnVUE platform, is managed through the Pearson VUE system.⁷ Purchasing a voucher directly from Pearson VUE or its affiliate, Cisco Press, is the equivalent of prepaying the standard exam fee at the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). For instance, the foundational Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) 200-301 exam voucher is priced at $300 USD, while vouchers for CCNP Technology Core exams (350-xxx series) are priced at $400 USD.⁸ This route offers no discount but provides the security of dealing directly with the official testing provider. Similarly, Certiport is the exclusive vendor for Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) exam vouchers, which cover the Cybersecurity, Networking, or IT Support exams.⁹

The Reseller Marketplace

Beyond the official channels, a marketplace of authorized third-party resellers offers another avenue for purchasing vouchers. Companies like GetCertified4Less, Global IT Success, and XVoucher provide a platform to buy vouchers for a wide range of Cisco exams.⁵ However, it is crucial for candidates to manage their expectations regarding discounts from these sources. The value proposition of these resellers is typically not deep price cuts but rather convenience. For example, the CCNA 200-301 voucher, with an MSRP of $300, is often sold by these resellers for around $294—a minimal saving of only 2%.⁶ The primary benefit they offer is often a streamlined procurement process or the ability to purchase vouchers from multiple IT vendors (e.g., Cisco, CompTIA, AWS) in a single transaction.⁵

The Universal Fine Print: Critical Terms and Conditions

Regardless of the purchase source, all Cisco exam vouchers are governed by a strict set of terms and conditions that represent a significant financial consideration for the buyer. Vouchers are universally non-refundable, non-returnable, non-exchangeable, and valid for a single use only.⁵ The most critical condition is the expiration date. Vouchers typically expire

one year from the date of purchase, and this date cannot be extended under any circumstances.³ This “use it or lose it” policy means that if a candidate fails to schedule and take their exam before the voucher expires, the full financial value of the voucher is forfeited. This underscores the importance of aligning a voucher purchase with a realistic and committed study plan to avoid losing the investment.

Sub claims: Direct purchasing provides immediate access to an exam voucher but is the least cost-effective method. It is the most suitable option for well-prepared candidates with a firm exam date who do not have access to Cisco’s more generous educational or corporate discount programs.

How Can You Earn a Significant Discount Through the Cisco Networking Academy?

For individual learners and students, the Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad) stands out as the most valuable and accessible pathway to significantly reduce the financial burden of certification. This global education initiative is not merely a training platform but a merit-based program that directly rewards academic diligence and success with substantial financial incentives, making it a premier choice for dedicated candidates aiming for certification.¹

Students enrolled in the Cisco Networking Academy can earn a significant discount voucher, reported to be as high as 58%, for the CCNA, CyberOps Associate, or DevNet Associate certification exams. To qualify, a student must successfully complete an eligible NetAcad course and achieve a score of 70% or higher on the final exam during their first attempt.¹³

The NetAcad discount program is intentionally designed to be a rigorous, merit-based system that encourages deep learning and mastery of the curriculum, ultimately better preparing students for the certification exam itself.17

Understanding the NetAcad Program

The Cisco Networking Academy is a vast partnership between Cisco and educational institutions worldwide, including community colleges, universities, and vocational schools.¹⁷ It provides a comprehensive, industry-standard curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in technology. The discount voucher is a key incentive offered within this framework to encourage students to formalize their learning with an official certification.¹

The Path to Eligibility: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Earning a NetAcad discount is a multi-step process with strict requirements that must be met precisely. The high-stakes nature of these requirements, particularly the “first attempt” rule for the final exam, reflects Cisco’s intent to reward true mastery of the material rather than simple course completion.

1. Enroll in a Qualifying Course: The discount is only available for specific, designated courses. These include the three-course series for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), the CyberOps Associate (CBROPS) course, and the DevNet Associate (DEVASC) course.¹
2. Complete the Rigorous Coursework: Students must fully engage with the curriculum, which involves a significant time commitment. User reports indicate that each of the three CCNA modules, for example, requires approximately 70 hours of study, including completing all labs, quizzes, and module exams.¹⁷
3. Pass the Final Exam on the First Attempt: This is the most critical academic requirement. A student must score 70% or higher on the qualifying course’s final exam on their very first try.¹³ While older versions of the curriculum sometimes required a 75% score, the current standard for CCNAv7 and later courses is 70%.¹⁴ Failing to meet this threshold on the initial attempt disqualifies the student from receiving the discount for that course.
4. Finalize Administrative Requirements: After passing the final exam, two final steps are required. The student must complete the end-of-course feedback survey and, crucially, be marked as “Complete” by their course instructor in the NetAcad online grade book.¹³ The instructor’s action is a necessary final step in the process; therefore, students should maintain clear and proactive communication with their instructors to ensure this administrative task is completed promptly after all academic requirements are met.

Requesting and Redeeming Your Voucher

Once all eligibility criteria are satisfied, the student can request the discount voucher directly through their profile on the NetAcad learning platform.¹ After a few days, a unique voucher code is issued by Cisco.¹⁷ This code is then used during the standard exam registration process on the Pearson VUE website. It is essential for students to have their Networking Academy ID and username available when registering, as the voucher’s validity is tied to their NetAcad profile.⁴

Sub claims: The Cisco Networking Academy program represents the single most valuable opportunity for individuals to lower their certification costs. It strategically aligns substantial financial incentives with proven academic performance, making it an exceptionally rewarding path for dedicated learners.

What Are Cisco Learning Credits and How Are They Used for Vouchers?

Shifting from the individual student to the corporate professional, Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs) provide a streamlined, enterprise-level solution for managing training and certification expenses. CLCs function as a form of prepaid currency, allowing organizations to efficiently budget for and procure Cisco training, including exam vouchers, for their employees. This system is designed for business-to-business (B2B) transactions and is the standard for employer-sponsored certification paths.³

Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs) are prepaid training funds purchased by companies, where each credit has a fixed value of $100 USD. Employees at these companies can redeem CLCs, with internal approval, to pay for Cisco certification exam vouchers, effectively having their employer cover the full cost of the exam.²⁰

Understanding the CLC ecosystem is essential for any employee looking to leverage their company’s professional development resources to advance their career with Cisco certifications.

The Corporate CLC Ecosystem

It is critical to recognize that CLCs are a corporate asset, not a product available to the general public. Individuals cannot purchase CLCs for personal use. Instead, companies acquire them, often as part of large hardware or software purchases from Cisco or in bulk to fund their annual training budgets.³ Within an organization, the CLC pool is typically managed by a designated “Team Captain,” who is responsible for approving redemption requests from employees.²³ For an employee, the process begins by making a business case to their manager or training department to get approval for using the company’s CLCs for their desired certification exam.

The Value of a CLC: A Standardized Training Currency

Unlike the NetAcad program, the CLC system is not a discount mechanism but rather a payment method designed for corporate convenience. The value is standardized globally: 1 CLC is equivalent to $100 USD.²⁰ This fixed rate allows large, multinational companies to allocate training budgets and manage procurement without the complexities of currency fluctuations or processing numerous small invoices. For the employee, the benefit is not a percentage discount but the opportunity to have their employer cover 100% of the exam fee.

The Official Conversion Rate Table

The number of CLCs required for an exam voucher corresponds directly to the exam’s USD cost. The official conversion rates provide a clear guide for employees and managers to plan their training investments.

Data sourced from official Cisco Learning Network documentation.³

The Redemption Process

To redeem CLCs for an exam voucher, an employee typically works through a Cisco Learning Partner or their company’s internal procurement system.²⁵ The process generally involves selecting the desired exam voucher, submitting the request with the company’s Sales Order number, and having it routed to the Team Captain for approval. Once the Team Captain approves the transaction, the CLCs are debited from the company’s account, and a voucher code is issued to the employee.²³

Sub claims: Cisco Learning Credits are the standard for corporate-sponsored certification. For employees, accessing this powerful benefit is not about finding a discount but about understanding their company’s training policies and effectively advocating for professional development investments.

Are There Special Promotions or Bundles That Include Exam Vouchers?

Beyond direct purchases and programmatic discounts, Cisco periodically offers special promotions and bundled packages that provide alternative ways to acquire exam vouchers. These opportunities are often dynamic and cater to specific candidate needs, such as mitigating the financial risk of a failed exam attempt or purchasing a complete, all-in-one training and certification solution. Monitoring these offers can unlock unique value for strategic candidates.

Yes, Cisco offers special promotions that include exam vouchers. The most prominent is the “Exam Safeguard” offer, which provides a free retake for a failed exam. Cisco also sells official training bundles that package e-learning with an exam voucher, and major events like Cisco Live frequently feature free or heavily discounted on-site exam opportunities for attendees.²⁷

These promotional avenues require candidates to be proactive and opportunistic, aligning their certification plans with timely offers from Cisco.

The Exam Safeguard Offer: A Strategic Insurance Policy

Cisco has identified the anxiety many candidates feel about the high cost of exam retakes and has created a product to address it: the Exam Safeguard offer.³⁰ This is not a traditional discount but rather a value-added bundle that functions as an insurance policy against failure. For example, a standard CCNA exam costs $300 USD. The CCNA Exam Safeguard offer costs $375 USD.¹⁸ By paying a $75 premium, the candidate receives a voucher that is valid for two attempts. If they pass on the first try, they have overpaid by $75. However, if they fail the first attempt, the second attempt is free, saving them the $300 cost of a new exam and resulting in a net savings of $225. This makes the Safeguard offer a strategic choice for candidates who want to reduce the pressure of a single, high-stakes attempt or who are not entirely certain of their readiness.³¹ Similar Safeguard offers are available for Professional-level core exams.³²

All-in-One Training and Certification Bundles

For candidates seeking a complete, Cisco-authorized study path, the Cisco Learning Network Store offers official training bundles. A prime example is the CCNA Preparation Bundle.²⁷ This package typically includes the official e-learning course, an exam review tool with hundreds of practice questions, and the exam voucher itself. While the upfront cost is significant (around $995), it represents a bundled discount—in this case, 16% off the total MSRP of the individual components.²⁷ These bundles are ideal for learners who prefer a structured, all-inclusive approach and value having all their study materials and the exam voucher in a single purchase.

Event-Based Opportunities: The Cisco Live Perk

Cisco’s premier global conferences, known as Cisco Live, often provide one of the most valuable—albeit highly situational—voucher opportunities. Attendees holding a “Full Conference” or “IT Leadership” pass are typically eligible to register for one free on-site certification exam.²⁹ This offer represents a significant value, but it must be viewed in context. These conference passes cost thousands of dollars, meaning the free exam is not a standalone money-saving tactic but rather an ancillary benefit of a substantial corporate training investment. Therefore, this is an unmissable perk for professionals whose employers are already sending them to the event. Registration for the free exam must be completed before a specific deadline prior to the conference. If the free slots are filled, attendees can often still register on-site for a 50% discount on a space-available basis.²⁹

Sub claims: Strategically monitoring Cisco’s official promotions and events can unlock unique value, whether it’s by insuring against exam failure with a Safeguard offer, investing in a comprehensive training bundle, or capitalizing on the perks of attending major industry conferences.

Conclusion

The journey to obtaining a Cisco certification is a proven investment in one’s IT career, but the associated exam fees require careful financial planning. Fortunately, a variety of pathways exist to acquire exam vouchers, making these credentials more accessible. The four primary methods—Direct Purchase, the Networking Academy, Cisco Learning Credits, and Special Promotions—each cater to different circumstances and needs. Direct purchase offers immediate convenience for those ready to test, while corporate-sponsored CLCs provide a route for employees with company training support. Special promotions like the Exam Safeguard offer a strategic way to manage risk. However, for the majority of individual learners, the Cisco Networking Academy provides the most impactful and accessible route to a major discount, directly linking academic dedication to substantial cost savings. By understanding these options, candidates can confidently select the best strategy to invest in their professional future.

External links recommendations

1. Cisco Certification Exam & Vouchers Program on Pearson VUE ⁷
2. Cisco Networking Academy Homepage ¹
3. Cisco Learning Network Store ²⁷
4. Cisco Learning Credits Program Information ³
5. Cisco Live Global Events ²⁹

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