Prep
CCNA vs CCNP: the short version
CCNA vs CCNP is really a question of level. The CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) proves you understand how networks are built, switched, routed, secured and automated. The CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) goes deeper into one technology track and expects you to design, implement and troubleshoot larger networks.
There are several CCNP tracks. This page compares the CCNA with CCNP Enterprise, the track most CCNA holders move to, because it continues the same routing and switching path. All exam facts come from Cisco's official certification and exam pages, checked in November 2026.
| CCNA | CCNP Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | 1 (200-301) | 2 (350-401 ENCOR + 1 concentration) |
| Exam fees (US list) | USD 300 | USD 700 |
| Prerequisites | None | None (CCNA-level knowledge assumed) |
| Validity | 3 years | 3 years |
| Best for | Starting a networking career | Engineers with real enterprise network experience |
Side-by-side comparison
| CCNA | CCNP Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Associate | Professional |
| Exams | One: 200-301 CCNA | Two: 350-401 ENCOR (core) plus one concentration exam |
| Exam length | 120 minutes | ENCOR 120 minutes; each concentration exam 90 minutes |
| Exam price | USD 300 | ENCOR USD 400; concentration USD 300 (USD 700 total) |
| Formal prerequisites | None | None |
| Scoring | Pass/fail; no published passing score | Pass/fail; results online within 48 hours |
| Validity | 3 years | 3 years |
| Recertification | Pass a qualifying exam or earn 30 Continuing Education credits | Continuing Education credits or exams before expiry |
| Languages | English, Japanese | English, Japanese (ENNA English only) |
| Bonus | - | Passing ENCOR also earns Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Core |
Prices are Cisco's US list prices and can be paid with Cisco Learning Credits. Local prices and taxes can differ.
What the CCNA covers
The current CCNA exam (200-301, version 1.1) has six domains: Network Fundamentals (20%), Network Access (20%), IP Connectivity (25%), IP Services (10%), Security Fundamentals (15%) and Automation and Programmability (10%). Cisco has also published topics for a version 2.0 that will replace v1.1, with new emphasis on troubleshooting and on evaluating output from AI assistants in network operations. Check the cutover date on Cisco's site before you book.
Cisco does not publish the number of questions or a passing score. Secondary prep sources report roughly 100 to 120 questions, but treat that as an estimate. The CCNA study guide has a full plan.
What CCNP Enterprise requires
To earn CCNP Enterprise you pass two exams:
- Core exam: 350-401 ENCOR (Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies). It covers dual-stack IPv4 and IPv6 architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security and automation.
- One concentration exam, chosen from: 300-410 ENARSI (advanced routing and services), 300-415 ENSDWI (Catalyst SD-WAN), 300-420 ENSLD (enterprise network design), 300-435 ENAUTO (automation and programmability), 300-440 ENCC (secure cloud connectivity) or 300-445 ENNA (network assurance).
The exams can be taken in either order. ENARSI is the natural pick for people who want deeper routing and troubleshooting, and ENAUTO suits those moving toward network automation. That is our editorial view, not Cisco guidance.
Two recent changes are worth knowing. ENCOR moved to version 1.2 in March 2026, and Cisco's training overview says wireless content was moved out of ENCOR into dedicated wireless certifications. The wireless concentration exams are no longer on the CCNP Enterprise list. Passing ENCOR also meets the core exam requirement for CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure and CCIE Enterprise Wireless, so it is the first step toward the expert level too.
Do you need the CCNA before the CCNP?
No. Cisco lists no formal prerequisites for CCNP Enterprise or any of its exams. You can book ENCOR without a CCNA.
In practice, ENCOR assumes everything the CCNA teaches and builds on it. Subnetting, VLANs, OSPF, ACLs and NAT are background knowledge at the CCNP level, not topics it teaches from scratch. We recommend skipping the CCNA only if you already configure and troubleshoot enterprise networks as part of your job and can pass a CCNA practice test without studying.
Which should you take? A decision table
| Your situation | Our recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New to networking or coming from help desk | CCNA | It builds the foundation CCNP assumes. Consider Network+ first if you want a vendor-neutral start. |
| Junior network admin, 1 to 2 years in | CCNA now, CCNP Enterprise next | The CCNA confirms your fundamentals; ENCOR is a much bigger step. |
| Experienced network engineer without any Cisco cert | CCNP Enterprise directly | No prerequisite is needed, and your experience covers CCNA material. |
| Already CCNA certified and working with Cisco gear | CCNP Enterprise | Cisco lets you renew the CCNA by passing a higher-level exam, so ENCOR also keeps your CCNA current. |
| Aiming for CCIE Enterprise | CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) | ENCOR counts as the CCIE Enterprise core exam. |
| Mainly wireless work | CCNA, then a wireless track | Wireless was moved out of ENCOR in v1.2. |
Which roles each certification fits
Job ads use these certifications as shorthand for a level of responsibility. Roughly:
- CCNA: network support technician, junior network administrator, NOC analyst, and help desk staff moving into networking. It also helps system, cloud and security people who need a solid grip on IP addressing, switching and routing.
- CCNP Enterprise: network engineer, senior network administrator and network architect roles where you own the design and troubleshooting of campus and WAN networks, not just day-to-day changes.
A certification does not replace experience. A CCNP holder who has never run a production network will still be asked about real incidents in an interview. That is one more reason to earn the CCNA, get hands-on work, and add the CCNP once the ENCOR topics describe things you already do.
A sensible sequence
- Earn the CCNA and spend time applying it, ideally in a role where you touch switches and routers.
- Download the ENCOR exam topics and score yourself against each one. Gaps tell you how long to plan.
- Study for and pass ENCOR first. It earns a Specialist certification on its own, so the effort counts even before you finish the CCNP.
- Choose the concentration exam that matches your job or the role you want next, and take it while the core material is fresh.
- Keep track of your 3-year recertification date from the start.
If you are still choosing between networking and another field entirely, our list of the best IT certifications compares the main entry points.
Cost of each path
Exam fees only, at Cisco's US list prices:
- CCNA: USD 300 for one attempt. Cisco also offers an Exam Safeguard Plus option at USD 450 that includes a second attempt within 90 days.
- CCNP Enterprise: USD 400 for ENCOR plus USD 300 for one concentration exam, so USD 700 if you pass each on the first try.
- CCNA then CCNP Enterprise: USD 1,000 in exam fees across three exams.
Add lab time, study materials and any retakes. Training courses are optional; Cisco does not require them for either certification. See the CCNA exam cost page for a fuller breakdown.
How much harder is the CCNP?
Noticeably. The CCNA is broad but stays at associate depth. ENCOR covers a wide blueprint at a professional depth, adds virtualization, network assurance and more automation, and is followed by a specialised concentration exam. Cisco does not publish pass rates for either, so we will not quote one.
Time is the other difference. With no networking background, many people spend three to six months of part-time study on the CCNA. The CCNP means two exams, each on its own blueprint, so plan for a longer project even if you already hold the CCNA. These are rough estimates from common candidate experience, not Cisco figures, and your starting point matters more than any average.
Plan for hands-on lab practice for both. For the CCNP, many candidates study each exam separately, starting with ENCOR because it underpins every concentration. Whatever you choose, test yourself early and often rather than rereading; see how to study for exams.