(NOTE: This story was originally posted to CRN.com June 6.)

New Twist On Certification

Eliminating the need to keep taking certification exams, Cisco is changing how individuals can become Cisco-certified.

The company's new Continuing Education Program allows any certified Cisco individual to become recertified by obtaining credits towards a specific certification through online courses, instructor-led training or participating in sessions during an event.

"We're focused on really upscaling our certified base," said Tejas Vashi, senior director of product strategy and marketing for Cisco Services, in an interview with CRN. "Everything that we're doing here will help the partner ecosystem … We've never done anything like this before in terms of certifications."

Here are 10 things channel partners and Cisco certified individuals need to know about the new program.