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CCNA and CCNP are Cisco certifications for networking professionals at different stages of their careers. CCNA validates broad associate-level networking knowledge, while CCNP certifications develop deeper professional-level expertise in a particular technology area.
For enterprise networking, the usual comparison is between CCNA and CCNP Enterprise. CCNA is normally the better starting point for someone developing Cisco networking skills. CCNP Enterprise is intended for people ready to work with more complex enterprise infrastructure and specialise further.
What is CCNA?
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is Cisco's widely recognised associate-level networking certification.
The current certification is earned by passing the 200-301 CCNA exam.
CCNA covers a broad range of networking topics, including:
- network fundamentals
- IPv4 and IPv6
- switching
- VLANs and trunking
- routing
- OSPF
- IP services
- wireless networking
- network security fundamentals
- device management
- automation and programmability
ExperTrain's Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions course provides instructor-led CCNA training and prepares learners for the 200-301 exam.
What is CCNP?
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is a professional-level certification family.
Cisco offers professional certifications in different technology areas. For network engineers working with enterprise infrastructure, CCNP Enterprise is the most relevant comparison with CCNA.
CCNP Enterprise goes beyond associate-level fundamentals into more advanced enterprise networking, infrastructure, assurance, security, automation and specialist technologies.
How do you earn CCNP Enterprise?
Cisco currently requires two exams for CCNP Enterprise:
- A core exam: 350-401 ENCOR, Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies.
- One concentration exam: chosen according to the area in which you want to specialise.
Current concentration options include advanced routing and services, SD-WAN, enterprise network design, enterprise automation, secure cloud connectivity and network assurance.
Passing ENCOR also earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Core certification.
What is the main difference between CCNA and CCNP?
The main difference is the depth and level of expertise.
CCNA asks whether you understand the technologies required to implement, operate and troubleshoot a relatively straightforward network.
CCNP Enterprise expects deeper understanding of enterprise infrastructure and gives you the opportunity to specialise in an area such as advanced routing, SD-WAN, design, automation or network assurance.
A useful way to think about them is:
CCNA builds the foundation.
CCNP develops professional-level depth and specialisation.
Do you need CCNA before CCNP?
No. Cisco does not currently require an active CCNA certification before you attempt CCNP Enterprise exams.
That does not mean CCNA-level knowledge can be skipped.
Someone starting CCNP training should already be comfortable with networking fundamentals, IP addressing, switching, VLANs, routing, network services, basic security and Cisco device operation.
You can therefore move directly to CCNP without holding CCNA if your experience already gives you the equivalent knowledge.
Should a beginner start with CCNP?
Usually not.
CCNP training assumes that fundamental networking concepts are already understood. Trying to learn advanced routing, enterprise architecture, automation and network assurance while simultaneously learning basic subnetting and switching creates an unnecessarily steep learning curve.
A beginner will normally gain more from CCNA first.
What does CCNA teach about routing?
CCNA introduces the routing knowledge required for associate-level network administration.
Learners work with concepts such as:
- routing tables
- static routes
- default routes
- IPv4 and IPv6 routing
- single-area OSPF
- inter-VLAN routing
- first-hop redundancy concepts
The aim is to understand how traffic moves between networks and how basic Cisco routing is configured and verified.
How much further does CCNP go?
CCNP Enterprise core training develops more advanced enterprise technologies and troubleshooting.
ExperTrain's Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) course covers areas including enterprise architecture, advanced switching, OSPF, BGP, network redundancy, virtualisation, security, network services, SD-Access, SD-WAN, Python and network programmability.
Network engineers choosing advanced routing as their concentration can then study Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (ENARSI), which develops deeper skills in technologies such as EIGRP, OSPF, BGP, route redistribution, path control, VPN technologies and infrastructure troubleshooting.
Is CCNP much harder than CCNA?
For most learners, yes.
CCNA covers a broad foundation. CCNP expects you to apply that foundation to more complex enterprise scenarios and understand technologies in greater depth.
CCNP Enterprise also requires a core exam plus a concentration exam rather than the single exam used for CCNA.
The difference is easier to manage if you have practical networking experience between the two levels.
How much experience should you have before CCNP?
There is no universal number of years that makes someone ready.
Practical readiness is more useful than simply counting time. Before beginning CCNP Enterprise, you should be comfortable with:
- configuring Cisco routers and switches
- IPv4 and IPv6 addressing
- subnetting
- VLANs and trunks
- routing protocols
- access control lists
- basic network security
- network troubleshooting
- reading Cisco configurations and show-command output
If these still require substantial support, strengthening CCNA-level skills first is sensible.
What jobs can CCNA help with?
CCNA is relevant to roles such as:
- network support technician
- junior network engineer
- network administrator
- infrastructure support engineer
- IT support professional with networking responsibilities
- network operations centre technician
Job titles vary considerably between organisations, so the underlying responsibilities matter more than the title alone.
What jobs can CCNP help with?
CCNP Enterprise is more closely aligned with roles involving complex enterprise networks, such as:
- network engineer
- senior network engineer
- enterprise network engineer
- network consultant
- infrastructure engineer
- network design engineer
- network automation engineer
The concentration you choose can help align the certification with a particular role.
Which CCNP concentration should you choose?
The right concentration depends on the work you do or want to do.
Advanced routing and services suits engineers who want deeper routing and troubleshooting skills.
SD-WAN suits professionals working with Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN environments.
Enterprise design is aimed at people responsible for network architecture and design decisions.
Enterprise automation is relevant to engineers developing programmability and automated network operations.
Secure cloud connectivity focuses on designing and implementing connectivity between enterprise and cloud environments.
Network assurance focuses on designing and implementing approaches to network visibility, data collection and assurance.
Cisco periodically updates its concentration portfolio, so candidates should check the current exam list when planning their certification route.
What is ENCOR?
ENCOR stands for Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies.
The 350-401 ENCOR exam is the core exam for CCNP Enterprise. It tests enterprise networking knowledge across architecture, infrastructure, network assurance, security and automation.
ENCOR is an important step because passing it earns a Cisco Specialist certification even before the CCNP concentration requirement has been completed.
What is ENARSI?
ENARSI stands for Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services.
The 300-410 ENARSI exam is one of the CCNP Enterprise concentration options. It is particularly relevant to network engineers who want to specialise in advanced routing and infrastructure troubleshooting.
For many traditional routing and switching professionals, the combination of ENCOR and ENARSI provides a logical CCNP Enterprise route.
Does CCNP include automation?
Yes. Modern Cisco professional-level networking includes automation and programmability.
ENCOR includes areas such as Python concepts, APIs, data formats and model-driven programmability. Candidates who want greater depth can choose the enterprise automation concentration.
This reflects the way network engineering is changing. Engineers increasingly need to understand both network infrastructure and ways of managing it programmatically.
Does CCNA include automation?
Yes, at a foundational level.
CCNA introduces automation, programmability, software-defined networking and APIs. CCNP develops these ideas further and expects a stronger understanding of how automation is applied in enterprise environments.
Is CCNP only about routing and switching?
No.
Routing and switching remain important, but enterprise networking now includes security, assurance, automation, software-defined networking, cloud connectivity and other technologies.
The CCNP concentration structure allows candidates to develop expertise beyond traditional routing and switching.
Should you take Network+ before CCNA?
Not necessarily.
CompTIA Network+ is vendor-neutral and can provide a useful networking foundation before learning Cisco-specific configuration. CCNA goes deeper into Cisco technologies and practical Cisco device administration.
If you are completely new to networking, Network+ can make CCNA easier. If you already understand networking fundamentals and want Cisco skills, you may go directly to CCNA.
Read CCNA vs CompTIA Network+: Which Certification Should You Choose? for a detailed comparison.
Should you renew CCNA or move to CCNP?
If you are already working comfortably at CCNA level and want to progress into more advanced network engineering, CCNP can provide a more meaningful development goal than repeatedly studying the same associate-level material.
If your CCNA knowledge has become rusty or your role has moved away from networking, refreshing the fundamentals first may be worthwhile.
Is CCNP worth it if you already have networking experience?
It can be particularly valuable for experienced network professionals because it provides a structured way to validate deeper enterprise skills.
Experienced engineers should choose a concentration that genuinely develops or demonstrates skills relevant to their work rather than selecting an exam solely because it appears easiest.
Can you go from CCNA directly to CCNP?
Yes. There is no intermediate Cisco certification required between them.
The best progression is often to earn or develop CCNA-level knowledge, gain practical experience using those skills, and then begin CCNP study when enterprise-level topics are relevant to your role.
How long are Cisco certifications valid?
Cisco career certifications are generally active for three years. Cisco provides several recertification routes, including qualifying exams and Continuing Education activities.
Because recertification policies can change, always check Cisco's current requirements as your renewal date approaches.
A simple decision guide
New to networking? Build networking fundamentals first and then study CCNA.
Understand networking but are new to Cisco? CCNA is normally the right starting point.
Already work comfortably at CCNA level? Consider CCNP Enterprise.
Want advanced routing expertise? Look at ENCOR followed by ENARSI.
Want to specialise in automation, SD-WAN, design or cloud connectivity? Choose the relevant CCNP Enterprise concentration after the core exam.
Have extensive networking experience but no CCNA certificate? You can move directly towards CCNP if your knowledge genuinely covers the associate-level foundation.
Frequently asked questions
Is CCNA required for CCNP?
No. Cisco does not require CCNA certification before CCNP, although CCNA-level knowledge is strongly advisable.
How many exams does CCNA require?
The current CCNA certification requires one exam, 200-301 CCNA.
How many exams does CCNP Enterprise require?
CCNP Enterprise requires the 350-401 ENCOR core exam plus one concentration exam.
Is CCNP a replacement for CCNA?
No. They represent different levels. CCNA validates an associate-level foundation, while CCNP validates professional-level knowledge and specialisation.
Can I take ENCOR without CCNA?
Yes. There is no formal CCNA prerequisite, but the training and exam assume strong networking fundamentals.
Explore Cisco training
Browse ExperTrain's Cisco training courses and Cisco Certifications page to explore associate and professional-level routes.
Relevant instructor-led courses include Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA), Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) and Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (ENARSI).
Further reading
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