You may register for any Cisco certification exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. The website for Pearson VUE is www.vue.com.
The appropriate certification depends on your level of expertise and what topics you desire for certification. The Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) exam is designed for entry-level technicians. The highest level of certification is the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) which is designed for individuals with an advanced knowledge of a variety of networking concepts and mastery of Cisco technologies. Certification for security, wireless and voice technologies are also offered by Cisco.
Certifications vary in the amount of time they remain active. Typically, new exams must be passed within three years of receiving a certification for it to remain active.
Cost for computer-based exams range from $80 to $325 per exam. The CCIE written exam is $300. The CCIE lab exam is $1,400.
Computer-based exams are multiple choice. CCIE requires completion of a lab assignment and a written essay-style portion.