I am not hoping to provide this FAQ as the only source for CCIE FAQ, nor does this article intends to replace CCIE information in the most summarized manner. Most of the question in here were based on my experience dealing with various question after I tell people that I am preparing my CCIE 

All effort has been made to ensure accuracy of this information (besides, this is to what I understand and mentioning to people, while still looking up Cisco CCIE page frequently).

Note: some of the answers lies within this FAQ also based on my own perspective, if you see it fit yours then its ok otherwise I'm not responsible for anything.

Let's begin ... (and enjoy ... some of the questions were true question asked to me in the past)

A: Passing CCIE written and lab exam

A: NO. Passing CCxA/ CCxP is not prerequisite to be a CCIE. It is only advisable for CCIE candidate to pass those exam in order to gain more exposure in preparing CCIE exams.

Q: I started my study towards CCIE, but I have not passed any CCIE written exam. Does it mean I am a CCIE candidate?

A: NO 

Q: I have passed CCIE written exam (yay! congratulations!). Am I a CCIE?

A: NO, passing CCIE written exam only qualifies one to for scheduling CCIE lab

Q: I have CCNA and CCNP at hand, which CCIE path should I choose?

A: It depends where you would like to pursue. Have a look at CCIE track comparison.

A: Ask your prospective employee to provide his/her CCIE number. You can use CCIE verification tool linked from this page. 

A: As clich é as it sounds: "if you think it is difficult, it WILL be difficult!" CCIE exam is 'just' like another exam, it has its challenges and difficulties as well. Some (most) people say that it is difficult, I say "do it yourself first and then you can tell anyone whether it is difficult or not"

A: As long as you have prepared your exam, other things that you need to get ready is: the exam itself. The following list maybe overlooked, but its is better to keep the following list handy:

• Lab exam schedule and payment: make sure you schedule it right and payment has been done in the appropriate time frame. Have a look at CCIE exam policies for details on payment, including payment methods accepted in certain test site.
• Travel documents (if applicable): if you are taking the lab in the country outside yours, make sure the travel documents are in place at least 1 months before your lab exam. This includes passport and visa. Some country requires certain type of visa, while others will simply grant you in without visa based on your passport. Also, to be on the safe side, make sure your passport is valid at least 3 more months until you intend to return to your country (you don't want to run away and being an illegal immigrant in that country right? )
• Accommodation (if applicable): if it happen that your lab exam is located beyond your travel distance from home, make sure you include accommodation for (at least) one night (unless you don't mind sleeping in your own tent outside the lab exam location. But I bet the security guard will have problem with you doing that )
• Transport (if applicable, mostly yes): ensure you know how to get to the lab exam from where you stay the night before. It will be a good idea to 'rehearse' the route to the lab location one day (or night) in advanced. If needed, use the same method/ route/ direction that you use for rehearsal (but hey, you don't have to keep track of your travel time, as this is not the Amazing Race)
• Pack your belongings as needed, also obey the other country's custom rules. No matter how convenient for you to eat certain things, other country might not allow you to bring those edible things with you (so if you are a cannibal, better be ready to be a vegetarian during this trip)
• Schedule your time: I'm not talking about the exam, it is more towards the time that you need to be aware of while you are there. If the place that you stay allow you to checkout until 12, make sure you checkout in the morning (and not during the lunch break of the lab, it will not be fun for the proctor to assist you along with the whole lab exam gang just for the sake of you checking out from your where you stayed)
• Bring enough (local) cash, just in case you need it for anything. Some countries might not like using your money (because they have no clue how much your money worth over there )

A: First of all, return to your country/ place first (remember you might still be away as you know your result). Once returned, then you can open that book of yours that you wrote on 'what will I do once I passed my CCIE lab exam?' (you did make one ddn't you? if not and you are reading this FAQ and also preparing for the lab, you'd better make one as your lab practice's break time)

There is CCIE Hall of Fame website available somewhere in the Internet there. You can post your number and details from there.

Other method that you could tell the world: compose a new email to CCIE group study and tell them your success stories. I believe you will be surprised on how many of the folks over there will give you congratulatory replies (in comparison, it might be as much as the email question that is sent per day to the group)

A: Search here, or just access it here. (in case your country is not listed, then inform the leader of your country to honor you!)

Other updates will be posted in the future aricle.