CCNP Certification: Tracks, Exams, Training, and Renewal

What Is CCNP Certification?

Cisco describes professional-level certifications as covering core concepts across a technology area while providing flexibility to choose a focus area. [1]

Each professional-level certification requires two exams: one core exam and one concentration exam selected by the candidate. [2]

The core exams in each CCNP technology track also serve as qualifying exams for CCIE lab exams. [3]

This means the broad CCNP decision has two parts: identify the technology area that matches the direction you want to investigate, then choose the applicable core exam and a concentration exam within that track.

Which CCNP Tracks Does Cisco List?

Cisco’s professional certifications page lists these eight CCNP technology tracks:

• CCNP Automation
• CCNP Collaboration
• CCNP Cybersecurity
• CCNP Data Center
• CCNP Enterprise
• CCNP Security
• CCNP Service Provider
• CCNP Wireless

Cisco describes the tracks in different ways. Automation focuses on developing and maintaining applications built on Cisco platforms. Collaboration focuses on solutions for collaboration technologies. Cybersecurity addresses security challenges, while Data Center focuses on operating data centers. Enterprise covers enterprise network technologies, Security covers protecting networks and data, Service Provider covers configuring, verifying, and optimizing service provider IP network infrastructures, and Wireless covers designing, implementing, and managing modern wireless networks. [4]

The supplied Cisco material lists the available directions, but it does not establish which track is best for a particular career, salary outcome, experience level, or measure of difficulty.

How the CCNP Exam Path Works

The common model is one core exam plus one concentration exam. The supplied track pages show how that model applies to specific certifications.

Track	Core-and-concentration structure	Documented focus
Enterprise	One core exam and one CCNP Enterprise concentration exam of the candidate’s choice. [5]	Enterprise infrastructure, assurance, security, and related technologies. [6]
Security	The 350-701 SCOR core exam and one of seven CCNP Security concentration exams. [7]	Network, cloud, and content security, endpoint protection and detection, secure network access, visibility, and enforcement. [8]
Service Provider	One core exam and one of three CCNP Service Provider concentration exams. [9]	Architecture, services, networking, automation, quality of service, security, and network assurance. [9]

Enterprise Exam Example

Cisco identifies 350-401 ENCOR as the core exam for the CCNP Enterprise certification. Passing it automatically earns the Cisco Certified Specialist—Enterprise Core certification. [10]

The listed Enterprise concentration exams are:

• 300-410 ENARSI: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services
• 300-415 ENSDWI: Implementing Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Solutions
• 300-420 ENSLD: Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks
• 300-435 ENAUTO: Automating and Programming Cisco Enterprise Solutions
• 300-440 ENCC: Designing and Implementing Secure Cloud Connectivity
• 300-445 ENNA: Designing and Implementing Enterprise Network Assurance [11]

Cisco lists the ENCOR core exam at $US400 with a duration of 120 minutes. The listed Enterprise concentration exams are priced at $US300 and have a duration of 90 minutes. [12]

The Enterprise core exam covers implementing core enterprise network technologies, including dual-stack IPv4 and IPv6 architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and automation. [12]

Security Exam Example

Cisco identifies 350-701 SCOR as the core exam for the CCNP Security certification. Passing it automatically earns the Cisco Certified Specialist—Security Core certification. [13]

The seven listed Security concentration choices are:

• 300-710 SNCF: Securing Networks with Cisco Firewalls
• 300-715 SISE: Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine
• 300-720 SESA: Securing Email with Cisco Email Security Appliance
• 300-725 SWSA: Securing the Web with Cisco Secure Web Appliance
• 300-730 SVPN: Implementing Secure Solutions with Virtual Private Networks
• 300-740 SCAZT: Designing and Implementing Secure Cloud Access for Users and Endpoints
• 300-745 SDSI: Designing Cisco Security Infrastructure [14]

The Security page states that there are no formal prerequisites for the certification. It also says that learners often have three to five years of experience implementing security solutions; this is contextual guidance rather than a formal prerequisite. [15]

The SCOR exam covers core security technologies including network security, cloud security, content security, endpoint protection and detection, secure network access, visibility, and enforcement. [13]

Service Provider Exam Example

Cisco describes CCNP Service Provider as covering architecture, services, networking, automation, quality of service, security, and network assurance. [9]

The Service Provider certification requires two exams: a core exam and one of three CCNP Service Provider concentration exams. [9]

Cisco states that there are no formal prerequisites for the certification and notes that learners often have three to five years of experience implementing service provider solutions. [9]

The supplied Service Provider material does not provide the individual concentration exam numbers or a complete exam-by-exam breakdown, so those details are not included here.

Training and Exam Registration Options

Cisco identifies guided learning, self-study, and a certification community forum as preparation resources for the Enterprise and Service Provider paths. [6] [9]

Cisco U. provides guided learning, pre- and post-assessments, hands-on labs, and practice tests on the supplied Enterprise and Security training pages. [12] [13]

Studying with Cisco is not required for the Enterprise or Security exams, although Cisco recommends it on the supplied training pages. [12] [13]

What to Confirm Before Scheduling

Before registering, choose the intended certification and exam number and refer to Cisco’s current exam information. [16]

A first-time candidate must create a Cisco account, use it to sign in to the Cisco Certification Tracking System, and complete the account profile there. [16]

Cisco states that Associate, Professional, and Expert written exams are offered both in person and online, and that these exams are scheduled through the Cisco Certification Tracking System. [17]

Pearson VUE is Cisco’s authorized test delivery partner. Cisco’s registration page lists online registration through the Cisco Certification Tracker portal, telephone registration with Pearson VUE, and walk-in registration at a Pearson VUE test center where available. [18]

For the listed professional-level exam types, Cisco’s exam information lists CCNP core exams in the 350-xxx series at $400 and CCNP concentration exams in the 300-xxx series at $300, with prices shown in U.S. dollars plus tax. [17]

How CCNP Renewal Works

Most Cisco certifications are active for three years from the date they are earned. [19]

Cisco lists 80 Continuing Education credits as the recertification requirement for professional-level certifications. [19]

Cisco also states that candidates can recertify during the active period by retaking the exam for the existing certification, advancing to the next certification level, or earning the required Continuing Education credits. [20]

All recertification requirements must be completed by the certification expiration date. If a certification expires, the candidate must complete the full exam process again to earn active status. [21]

Planning Around Expiration

Candidates with an active certification are responsible for monitoring its certification status. [21]

Cisco states that it does not provide extensions for recertification. [21]

A practical renewal plan therefore needs to account for the expiration date and leave enough time to complete the selected recertification route before that date.

Conclusion

The supplied Cisco material establishes a consistent CCNP starting point: choose a technology track, complete its core exam, and select one concentration exam. Cisco currently lists eight CCNP tracks, while the supplied detailed examples show different concentration sets for Enterprise, Security, and Service Provider. Renewal is generally handled during the active period through Continuing Education, another exam, or advancement to the next certification level, with requirements completed before expiration.