Paul,
As QuinceOcha said only CCIE have extra things they can do at Cisco.com (lots of perks for the hard work), all others like us CCNAs etc. need to buy a Smartnet agreement for the router or switch that you want access to IOSs for.
Of course there are other ways to get IOSs for your lab routers and switches, this is where Google is your best friend
but be aware it is not legal as far as Cisco is concerned.
You can also buy lab routers on Ebay - just make sure that you get one with the right IOS - might pay a little more and if you have a lab with the same stuff, like all 26xxXM routers - once you have the IOS you need you can load it on the other lab routers -
this of course is NOT LEGAL as far as Cisco is concerned but again for non-production lab use ...........
We who teach Cisco classes have asked for student versions of the IOSs for years....... maybe someday, it is an ongoing discussion at the Cisco Learning Network
Stop in at the Cisco certification and testing forum here at Tek Tips for more discussions on Cisco certs and labs!!
Hope this helps!
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +