3/18/2003 -- Cisco announced this week that it is reworking its Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP) title.

When the CCIP launched in 2001, it differed from other mid-level Cisco certifications like the CCNP and CCDP in that it had no prerequisite and required passing only three exams, including one elective.

The new CCIP "will following in the CCDP and CCNP tradition of four exams..." and will also now require candidates hold a CCNA, Cisco said.

A comparison of the old and new exams can be found below:

The elective path is being "phased out," Cisco said; the company did not give a timeline for when the previous version of the CCIP would be unavailable.

To view the official announcement regarding this change, click here. -B.N.