After passing the CCIE Lab Exam in Routing & Switching v5 on August 27th 2015 my CCIE Plaque has finally arrived.
After all the late nights and weekends of studying and the cost of the training, bootcamps, travel and the lab exam fee, what do you get for passing?
Well apart from your digits which will stay with you forever, Cisco send you the coveted CCIE Plaque, a paper certificate and a retractable key thing and two very small stickers.
I must say it is more of a solid object than I was expecting, it is a solid block of perspex construction and quite heavy, just need to decide where to put it now!
The First CCIE Plaque
Stuart Biggs who is sadly no longer with us was awarded the first CCIE number of #1025 he devised the first CCIE written and lab tests – his CCIE Plaque is shown below.
This is often referred to as the Medallion Plaque.
There was also a version between this one and the current one which was just like a printed sheet of paper in a plastic frame.
For more info on the person that received this one and his comments head over to:
http://ccie-in-3-months.blogspot.co.uk/2008/02/ccie-plaque-too-cheap-for-ccie.html
#1024 the first ccie number was awarded to the lab room.
The first person to pass the CCIE Lab Exam was Terry Slattery who was CCIE #1026 and is classed as the first CCIE in history on 3rd August 1993
Timothy
I believe Terry Slattery is the first person who pass the CCIE (CCIE #1026), Stuart is the creator of the first CCIE exam and awarded the CCIE #1025 (#1024 is for the testing room)
Roger Perkin
Thanks Timothy, I have updated the post with the correct info now
DJ
Timothy is correct. Terry was also the first NON-Cisco employee to hold a CCIE too.
DJ
Also, congratulations again on passing. Isn’t opening the plaque something special?
Roger Perkin
Yes DJ opening the package was very special – it was wrapped in 4 x UPS padded envelopes!
Jit
Congrats Roger, the hard work has finally paid off. Well done mate. Coincidentally, I passed mine on the same day. But my number is 20 digits off 🙂 #50018. Wishing you the best
Roger Perkin
Thank Jit, congratulations yourself – I need to find out who got #50000
Rob
Hey Roger, very well done! Am extremely happy for you that you finally managed to succeed. Have my (first) lab attempt booked for Brussels in January 2016.
Roger Perkin
Rob, Thanks for the comments and good luck for January, take it easy and just focus on efficient config – if things get tough in TS just stand up go and get a drink and come back to it. Very easy to see 15 minutes go by on a simple problem – the CCIE Lab is as much about time management as it is about technical ability. Bring ear plugs and focus on your lab, use lunchtime to think over what you are going to do in the afternoon, don’t waste that time chatting.
Reza
Hi Roger, Congratulation! I have also passed my lab exam on 1st of Oct and my number is #50456, However, I have not received my certificate and plaque yet. How long did it take for you to receive your certificate and plaque?
Wishing you all the best
Roger Perkin
Reza, Congratulations on passing the CCIE Lab Exam! You must feel great now – with so much time to spare!
Regarding the plaque mine took about 9 weeks to come
Reza
Thanks,
Wass
Congrats Roger on this huge achievement! The plaque looks very pretty.
mith
i have passed on sept 7th, my questions are how long it will take to be received ?
And do i need to pay anything extra for the PLAQUE ?
Roger Perkin
Congratulations on passing, you don’t need to pay extra for your plaque, it will be delivered to the address on your Cisco profile which you should have been asked to validate when booking your lab.
It depends, but it might take quite a few weeks to arrive, be patient – it is so worth it to see the plaque on your wall!