The expert-level certification is the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE). It is the highest level of professional certification that Cisco provides. There are 5 active CCIE tracks. As of November 14, 2007 there are 15,658 people with active CCIE certifications in the world.

Cisco began its CCIE program in 1993 originally with a two day lab, later changing it to the one day format used today. Fewer than 3% of Cisco certified individuals attain CCIE certification, and on average will spend thousands of dollars and 18 months studying before passing.  Many candidates build mock-labs at home using old Cisco equipment, selling it again to other candidates after passing.

Cisco refers to the CCIE as the "most respected IT certification", and from 2002 to 2005 it was voted as such in CertCities magazine. It has also been voted the most technically advanced IT certification by CertMag, and is generally reported as the highest salaried certification in IT salary surveys.

The CCIE is comprised of a written exam and a "lab" exam (each in the specific area of the chosen track). The written exam is required to take the lab exam. Upon passing the written exam, the candidate is qualified to have a first attempt the lab exam for 18 months. If the first attempt is unsuccessful the candidate has 3 years from the date the written exam was passed to successfully complete the lab. If a candidate does not pass the CCIE lab in that time, they must pass the CCIE written exam again before making additional attempts at the CCIE lab exam. As many attempts can be made to pass the lab exam for up to 3 years after passing the written, so long as the first attempt is within 18 months. There is a minimum waiting time between attempts of one month.

There are no formal prerequisites for the CCIE exam, but Cisco recommends one has at least 3 - 5 years experience in networking before attempting to become a CCIE. CCIE was the first Cisco Certified qualification, and as such there were no other certifications that could be taken prior. The development of the associate and professional certifications was due to recognition of the fact that a CCIE is overkill for many networking personnel, and also for the vast majority of businesses who employ such people, and that certifications needed to be offered at lower levels. Despite the development of the lower certifications, Cisco has chosen not to make them formal requirements for the CCIE certification.

It is possible to hold multiple CCIE certifications. This is done by passing both the written and the lab exam in a particular track. As of November 14th, 2007 there are 1,344 individuals who hold multiple CCIE certifications. Of those, 210 hold three or more CCIE certifications.  Become one of these highly respected individuals with the help of the many available TestKing products.