CCNA vs CCNP Enterprise
CCNA and CCNP Enterprise are Cisco's associate and professional networking certifications. CCNA is a single exam designed as a starting point, while CCNP Enterprise takes the 350-401 ENCOR core exam plus one concentration exam and covers configuring, troubleshooting, and managing enterprise networks.
Updated
Side by Side
| Attribute | CCNA | CCNP Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | ||
| Full name | Cisco Certified Network Associate | Cisco Certified Network Professional Enterprise |
| Issuer | ||
| Issuer | Cisco | Cisco |
| Level | ||
| Level | Entry | Advanced |
| Exam type | ||
| Exam type | Multiple choice and performance-based | Multiple choice and performance-based |
| Questions | ||
| Questions | Not published | Not published |
| Duration | ||
| Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes for the core exam; 90 minutes for each concentration exam |
| Passing score | ||
| Passing score | Pass/fail only; no scaled score is published | Pass/fail only; no scaled score is published |
| Exam fee | ||
| Exam fee | $300 | $700 |
| Prerequisites | ||
| Prerequisites | None. | None. |
| Validity | ||
| Validity | 3 years | 3 years |
| Renewal | ||
| Renewal | Within the 3-year period, earn 30 Continuing Education credits, or pass the current CCNA exam or any higher-level Cisco certification exam. | Earn 80 Continuing Education credits before the 3-year expiry. Passing eligible exams, including the ENCOR core exam, can also be used toward recertification. |
| Exam domains | ||
| Exam domains | Network Fundamentals; Network Access; IP Connectivity; IP Services; Security Fundamentals; Automation and Programmability | Architecture; Virtualization; Infrastructure; Network Assurance; Security; Automation and Artificial Intelligence |
Main Differences
- Level: Cisco designs CCNA as a starting point that assumes little to no networking knowledge. CCNP Enterprise is a professional-level certification built from a core exam and a concentration exam.
- Exams: CCNA is one 120-minute exam (200-301). CCNP Enterprise needs the 120-minute ENCOR core exam and one 90-minute concentration exam on advanced routing, SD-WAN, network design, automation, cloud connectivity, or network assurance. All are graded pass/fail.
- Cost: CCNA costs 300 USD. CCNP Enterprise costs 400 USD for ENCOR plus 300 USD for a concentration exam.
- Renewal: both are valid for three years. CCNA needs 30 Continuing Education credits and CCNP Enterprise needs 80; passing eligible exams such as ENCOR also counts toward CCNP recertification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need CCNA before CCNP Enterprise?→
No. Cisco lists no prerequisites for CCNP Enterprise.
Does passing a CCNP exam renew CCNA?→
Yes. CCNA renews by passing the current CCNA exam or any higher-level Cisco certification exam, and CCNP Enterprise exams are professional level.
Related
Sources
- Cisco: CCNA
- Cisco: CCNP Enterprise
- Cisco: 200-301 CCNA exam
- Cisco: 350-401 ENCOR exam
- Cisco: Recertification Policy
- Cisco Learning Network: 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam topics
- Cisco: CCNA Exam v1.1 (200-301) exam topics
- Cisco Learning Network: 200-301 CCNA v2.0 exam topics
- Cisco Learning Network: Steps to the Future: The Modern CCNA
- Cisco Blogs: CCNA in the Age of AI
- Cisco Learning Network: 350-401 ENCOR exam topics
- Cisco: Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) training overview
Exam details come from official issuer pages and are listed in the sources above. Fees and exam versions change; confirm with the issuer before registering.