Get started with Cisco

Everything you need to know in between signing up to be a CATC, all the way to delivering your first exam, can be a bit overwhelming. So before you dive in to the details, take a moment to understand the basics of what we do at Certiport, and what you'll need to perform to get up and running:

• We are a company that creates and offers certification exams which you (the CATC) then proctor (administer/deliver) to Test Candidates (your customers or students, etc.).
• We also create the software that is used by our CATCs to deliver those exams, but that software is free and can be downloaded after your organization becomes an approved CATC.
• Our exam delivery software is called Compass and comes in both a Windows and a Mac compatible version and Cisco is available in both environments.
• Our exam delivery requires not only Compass to be installed, but the exam content as well.
• The "exam content" is all the data that comprises the questions in the exams and must be downloaded to Compass after it is installed.

This is a basic list of our recommended requirements for Cisco exams. For a comprehensive list including communication ports, IP addresses, version details, and any prohibited items, you must review our full Technical requirements page.

A user account is the basis for all functions here at Certiport. Whether you will be the one just signing up your organization to be a CATC, or be the person managing it, or proctoring exams, or doing it all, a new user account is where it all begins. 

The account is created right here through certiport.com and you will be automatically assigned the role of "Test Candidate" to begin. All other roles will be built upon this role and you can easily switch in between those roles after you sign in. And yes! If you want to take an exam yourself you will also use this account.

The account will be used for more than just our website:

• At www.certiport.com you will use it for:
  • Managing associations: who else can perform actions on behalf of your CATC.
  • Purchasing: buying licenses or vouchers that can be redeemed for certification exams.
  • Reporting: various reporting functions are available for administrators, proctors, and even teachers.
  • Taking an exam: If you decide to take an exam, this is where you can view your scores, transcripts, and certificates as a Test Candidate.
• In the Compass software you will use it for:
  • Software setup & management: Associating Compass to your CATC, configuring settings, and downloading exam content.
  • Proctoring exams: administering a live exam to a Test Candidate
  • Taking exams: If you are a Proctor but wish to take an exam you will use the same username and password. (Note: You cannot proctor yourself, see the agreement when becoming a Proctor.)

Ready? Follow the instructions on the Registering as a new user page.

For a detailed look at new user account creation, please see our user guide.

If you have reviewed the information on this page and are ready to register your organization as a Certiport Authorized Testing Center, please see our Register a CATC page. You will:

1. Log in with the user account you created in the previous section. 
2. Select your country and your center type. If you are creating a multi-location center and need assistance, please contact support.
3. Select your business sector and verify accuracy by reading the definition on the right side of the screen.
4. Enter the organization name and other pertinent account information.
5. Accept the Certiport Center Agreement by typing your name at the bottom.
6. Click Accept.

A representative will contact you with information regarding the status of your registration. After becoming an active CATC, you will be assigned the additional role of Organization Administrator (a.k.a, Org Admin), at which point you can continue with the remaining steps outlined on this page.