CISCO certification question

Factual Questions
1

Basically my question is…do you need to take the CCNA cert before you can take the CCNP cert, or can you challenge the CCNP even if you don’t have a CCNA? I have a CCNP myself, but I got it when CISCO first brought out the program (ok, I’m really old), and took it at one of their trade shows as a beta tester. A friend of mine doesn’t have any certs at all, and he’s getting mixed answers to this question…some say you need to have a CCNA to take the CCNP, some say you can challenge the CCNP without having to do the CCNA first.

Whats the straightdope on this? Anyone know for sure?

-XT

2

It is still a requirement - from Cisco’s webpage:

Link

Anyhoo, for anyone ready for the CCNP, taking the CCNA should be easy enough.

3

Yeah, but it costs more money. Oh well…I’ll tell him. He won’t be happy, as he’s paying for the cert himself. Appreciate the conclusive answer.

-XT