Once you’ve passed your CCIE qualifying exam, the next hurdle isn’t a technology domain — it’s logistics. Where can you actually sit the eight-hour lab exam, how do the permanent test centers compare to Cisco’s mobile lab events, and what does booking, paying, and showing up on exam day actually involve? This guide walks through the official test locations, how mobile labs work, how candidates weigh one location against another, the booking process itself, what to expect when you arrive, and the fee and rescheduling rules that govern the whole thing.
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Official CCIE Lab Exam Locations
Cisco operates a fixed set of permanent Expert-level lab facilities at Cisco locations worldwide, alongside a rotating schedule of mobile lab events. As of the current v3.0 lab format, the permanent facilities are:
- Bangalore, India
- Beijing, PRC
- Brussels, Belgium
- Dubai, UAE
- Singapore, Singapore
- Richardson, USA (Texas)
- Sydney, Australia
- Tokyo, Japan
Each location has its own dedicated page on Cisco.com with address and site-specific details, and exam start times can vary by location, so it’s worth confirming the exact time in your booking confirmation email rather than assuming a standard start. Beyond these eight fixed sites, Cisco also runs Mobile Labs — temporary lab events held in additional cities on specific dates — which is where things get more flexible, and more nuanced.
Mobile Labs vs. Permanent Labs: What’s the Difference?
Because not every candidate lives near Bangalore, Brussels, or Richardson, Cisco supplements its eight permanent centers with mobile lab events. Here’s what candidates usually want to know before choosing one:
What exactly is a CCIE Mobile Lab? It’s a temporary, pop-up version of the lab exam held in a city other than the eight permanent locations, on a fixed set of dates rather than year-round availability.
How is a Mobile Lab different from a permanent lab logistically? The exam content, format, and eight-hour structure are identical — the difference is entirely about where and how the equipment is provided, not what’s tested.
What’s the “Cisco Kit” mobile lab option? Cisco supplies all lab equipment on-site, the same way a permanent facility would, just at a temporary venue.
What’s the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) mobile lab option? Candidates bring their own laptop, keyboard, mouse, and optionally an external monitor, connecting into the exam environment remotely rather than using Cisco-provided hardware at the desk. BYOD mobile labs uphold the same exam security standards as both the Cisco Kit mobile labs and the permanent brick-and-mortar centers, so it isn’t a “lighter” version of the exam.
How do I find upcoming Mobile Lab dates and cities? Cisco publishes an expanded, regularly updated schedule of mobile lab dates and locations through the Cisco Learning Network and the CCIE scheduling portal — since these events rotate, checking that schedule directly is more reliable than relying on a static list.
As covered above, Mobile Labs (both Cisco Kit and BYOD) exist specifically to put a testing option closer to candidates who don’t live near one of the eight permanent facilities, without changing what’s actually being tested.
Comparing Locations: What Actually Varies (and What Doesn’t)
With eight permanent centers and a rotating set of mobile events, it’s natural to wonder whether some locations are “easier” than others. The honest answer is that Cisco does not publish pass rates by location, and the exam content, scoring, and proctoring standards are standardized globally — so any location-based difficulty perception comes from candidate travel and comfort factors, not the exam itself:
| Factor | Permanent Lab (e.g., Richardson, Bangalore) | Mobile Lab – Cisco Kit | Mobile Lab – BYOD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam content & scoring | Identical globally | Identical globally | Identical globally |
| Equipment provided | Cisco-owned, on-site | Cisco-owned, on-site (temporary venue) | Candidate’s own laptop/peripherals |
| Exam fee | $1,600 USD | $1,900 USD | $1,600 USD |
| Availability | Year-round, bookable up to 6 months out | Fixed event dates only | Fixed event dates only |
| Travel burden | Often requires international travel for most candidates | Usually closer to home for the target region | Usually closer to home for the target region |
| Candidate-reported comfort | Consistent, well-established venue routines | Newer venue per event; setup can vary | Familiar personal equipment may reduce exam-day friction |
The one clear takeaway: pick a location based on travel cost, visa feasibility, and equipment preference — not on any belief that one center is statistically easier to pass than another, since Cisco doesn’t publish or support that comparison.
How to Book Your CCIE Lab Exam Seat
Once you’ve decided between a permanent facility or a mobile lab event, booking follows the same process either way:
- Confirm your eligibility first. You’ll need a valid Cisco user account, the ID number used for your qualifying written exam, and the date and passing score of that exam — all of it verified through the Cisco Certification Tracking System before you can schedule anything.
- Log in to the Expert Level Certifications Tracker. This is the single portal used to schedule, pay for, and track your CCIE lab or practical exam appointment.
- Select your track and location. Choose your CCIE track and either a permanent facility or an available mobile lab date; note that you cannot change your track later without rebooking, and double bookings for the same track are not permitted.
- Choose your payment method. Credit card is charged immediately upon scheduling; Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs, one CLC = $100 USD, rounded up to the nearest $100) are also accepted, subject to a three-day Team Captain approval window that must clear at least 10 calendar days before your exam.
- Accept the Cisco Certification and Confidentiality Agreement. Scheduling isn’t considered complete until you accept this agreement — declining terminates the process.
- Save your confirmation email. It contains your exact exam address and start time, which can vary by location, so treat it as the authoritative source over any general listing.
You can book up to six months in advance, and it’s worth doing so early for in-demand locations and mobile events, since seats and dates are limited.
What to Expect on Exam Day
Booking the seat is only half the preparation — knowing what happens once you walk in avoids day-of surprises. Here’s what every candidate should plan for:
- Bring two forms of ID. Both must carry your signature, and at least one must be a government-issued photo ID — without this, you won’t be admitted.
- Arrive on time, but know the grace window. If you arrive less than two hours after your exam’s start time, you’ll still be allowed to start, but you must finish with the rest of your group; arriving more than two hours late means you won’t be allowed to test at all.
- Expect a security screening before entry. All candidates are scanned with a handheld metal detector to rule out concealed recording devices, and the entire testing room — including the personal item storage area — is under CCTV surveillance for the full eight hours. You cannot opt out of either and still be permitted to test.
- Store all personal items before entering. Passports, wallets, pens, paper, notebooks, and any electronic devices (powered off) must go into designated storage and can’t be accessed again until the exam ends. One paper dictionary is allowed, but only after the proctor has inspected it.
- Know the break rules. Short restroom or refreshment breaks are fine as long as you notify the proctor and can be located; anything longer than 10 minutes needs to be justified, and you must remain reachable inside the facility for the whole exam window.
- Understand the language and communication rules. The exam itself is written in English; your proctor may communicate with you in English or the local language, but you can’t confer with anyone else about the exam content at any point, during or after testing.
- Save your work as you go. If you hit an equipment issue, spend no more than 10 minutes troubleshooting before flagging your proctor — and remember it’s not the proctor’s job to save your configurations, so build the habit of saving frequently yourself.
Fees, Rescheduling, and Cancellation Policy FAQ
Because location changes, date changes, and unexpected conflicts do come up, it’s worth understanding the money side before you commit to a booking:
How much does the lab exam cost? $1,600 USD at any permanent Cisco testing facility or at a BYOD mobile lab, and $1,900 USD at a Cisco Kit mobile lab location — plus applicable local taxes, which vary by exam location.
What payment methods are accepted? Credit card, and — as of February 4, 2026 — Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs). The two cannot be combined in a single transaction. Exam vouchers stopped being sold as of that same date, though existing unexpired vouchers can still be redeemed.
Can I reschedule to a different location or date? Yes, but not within three calendar days of your scheduled exam, and a non-refundable $500 USD rescheduling fee plus local taxes applies on top of any fare difference between your old and new booking.
What happens if I cancel outright instead of rescheduling? All payments are forfeited, with no refunds — cancellation is financially the worst option compared to rescheduling.
What if I simply don’t show up? You forfeit the full exam fee, and you’re blocked from scheduling another lab attempt for 30 days.
What if I fail — how soon can I retake it? You must wait 30 calendar days from the day after a failed attempt before scheduling that same exam again.
Does Cisco cover any travel or visa costs? No. Cisco does not reimburse travel or lodging costs under any circumstances, and if you need a visa to reach your exam location, applying 10 to 12 weeks in advance is strongly recommended since visa delays fall under the same cancellation policy as any other missed exam.
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