The thing is, getting past the application process will be tough so I cannot ask you during the interview. If xCorp says "must have CCNA" then your app. is immediately thrown out. It is a reality that kind of sucks but a reality none the less. I have M A N Y contacts in the networking field and have worked in several industries as a networker (govt, ISP, banking, vendor) and almost every contract that gets let, or staffing req. that goes out, requires a recognized cert as a requirement.
I didn't like having to take that test again either, but it removes many of the limitations for the job seeker.