CCNP Full Form — Cisco Certified Network Professional
CCNP full form is Cisco Certified Network Professional. CCNP is Cisco's intermediate-level networking certification (between CCNA and CCIE) — current tracks (2024 onwards) are CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, CCNP Data Center, CCNP Service Provider, CCNP Collaboration, and DevNet Professional. CCNP Wireless was retired as a standalone track on 24 February 2020 — wireless content now lives inside CCNP Enterprise (300-425 ENWLSD + 300-430 ENWLSI concentrations). Each track requires a CORE exam (e.g., ENCOR 350-401) plus one concentration exam.
What each letter in CCNP means
The acronym CCNP breaks down into four distinct concepts — the vendor, the validation method, the technology domain, and the experience tier. Understanding each piece clarifies why CCNP sits where it does in Cisco's certification ladder.
C — Cisco
Cisco Systems Inc. — the U.S.-headquartered networking-equipment vendor that issues the credential. Cisco runs the majority of enterprise networks worldwide; the certification ladder is its formal way of validating engineer skill on Cisco-platform technologies.
C — Certified
Indicates the holder has passed Cisco's official exams — taken at Pearson VUE under proctored conditions. The credential is verifiable on Cisco's public Certifications Tracking System database.
N — Network
Domain of expertise — routing, switching, security, wireless, data centre, service provider, and collaboration depending on the chosen CCNP track. Network here covers the entire production networking stack, not just LAN basics.
P — Professional
Cisco's intermediate experience tier — above Associate (CCNA, entry-level) and below Expert (CCIE). Professional implies the holder can design, implement, and troubleshoot enterprise networks at production scale, typically with 1-3 years of hands-on experience.
All current CCNP tracks — full forms and status 2026
Cisco offers five active CCNP tracks in 2026. Each track is a distinct specialisation with its own CORE exam plus a track-specific set of Concentration options. CCNP Wireless as a standalone track was retired in the 24 February 2020 consolidation — wireless content now lives inside CCNP Enterprise.
| Track | Full form | CORE exam | Concentration count | Introduced / sunset | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCNP Enterprise | Cisco Certified Network Professional Enterprise | ENCOR 350-401 | 6 concentration exams | 24 February 2020 (replaces CCNP R&S + CCNP Wireless) | Active 2026 — most popular track |
| CCNP Security | Cisco Certified Network Professional Security | SCOR 350-701 | 7 concentration exams (incl. Zero Trust 300-740) | 24 February 2020 (replaces CCNP Security legacy) | Active 2026 |
| CCNP Data Center | Cisco Certified Network Professional Data Center | DCCOR 350-601 | 4 concentration exams | 24 February 2020 (replaces CCNP DC legacy) | Active 2026 |
| CCNP Service Provider | Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider | SPCOR 350-501 | 3 concentration exams | 24 February 2020 (replaces CCNP SP legacy) | Active 2026 — telco / ISP niche |
| CCNP Collaboration | Cisco Certified Network Professional Collaboration | CLCOR 350-801 | 4 concentration exams | 24 February 2020 (replaces CCNP Voice + Collab legacy) | Active 2026 — UC niche |
| CCNP Wireless (sunset standalone) | Cisco Certified Network Professional Wireless | Sunset — content moved into CCNP Enterprise concentrations (ENWLSD 300-425, ENWLSI 300-430) | n/a | Sunset 24 February 2020 | Pursue via CCNP Enterprise wireless concentrations |
Full national CCNP hub guide with provider comparison, curriculum, and pricing: /best-ccnp-course-in-india/.
CCNA vs CCNP vs CCIE — quick comparison table
The Cisco certification ladder is three tiers — Associate (CCNA), Professional (CCNP), Expert (CCIE). CCNP sits in the middle. The matrix below shows the differences across full form, exam count, fees, training duration, salary range, and validity.
| Dimension | CCNA | CCNP | CCIE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full form | Cisco Certified Network Associate | Cisco Certified Network Professional | Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert |
| Tier name | Associate (entry-level) | Professional (intermediate) | Expert |
| Exams required | 1 (CCNA 200-301) | 2 (CORE + Concentration) | 1 written + 1 lab (8-hour practical) |
| Total exam fee | US$300 (~₹25,000) | US$700 (~₹58,300) | ~US$2,050 (~₹1,70,000) written + lab |
| Training time (NH) | 1 month intensive at ₹12,390 incl. GST | 3 months Enterprise at ₹39,000 + GST (₹46,020) | 6 months Enterprise / Security / Data Centre tracks |
| Experience prerequisite (de facto) | None — fresher-friendly | 1-3 yrs production networking ideal | 4-7 yrs production + CCNP mastery |
| India salary range | ₹3-7 LPA fresher / 1-yr | ₹6-18 LPA mid-level | ₹18-75 LPA senior tier |
| Validity | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years (renew via Expert exam, CCDE, or CE credits) |
Foundational primers: /ccna-full-form/ · /what-is-ccna/ · /ccna-vs-ccnp/ · /ccnp-vs-ccie/.
CCNP exam structure — CORE + Concentration explained
Every CCNP track follows the same two-exam structure — one CORE exam plus one Concentration exam. The table below covers every aspect of the exam structure you need to know before booking.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam count | Two exams required — one CORE + one Concentration from the track-specific list |
| CORE exam duration | 120 minutes (e.g. ENCOR 350-401 for Enterprise) |
| Concentration exam duration | 90 minutes (e.g. ENARSI 300-410 for Enterprise routing concentration) |
| CORE exam fee | US$400 (~₹33,300 at ~₹83-85/USD as of June 2026) |
| Concentration exam fee | US$300 (~₹25,000) |
| Total exam fee | US$700 combined (~₹58,300) — paid directly to Pearson VUE per exam |
| Question count | 55-65 questions per exam (mix of multiple choice, drag-and-drop, simulation, simlet, testlet) |
| Passing score | Cisco does not publish a fixed passing score — typically 825/1000 scaled. Score variations occur with question weighting. |
| Delivery method | Pearson VUE test centre (in-person) or Pearson VUE OnVUE online proctoring (from home with system requirements) |
| Validity | 3 years from pass date — renew via Professional or Expert exam, CCDE, or Cisco Continuing Education credits (80 CE credits over 3 years) |
CCNP history — the 24 February 2020 consolidation
CCNP has gone through multiple structural revamps. The most important is the 24 February 2020 consolidation which collapsed multi-exam tracks into the streamlined two-exam CORE + Concentration structure used today. Understanding the history matters when you encounter older course material or holders of pre-2020 credentials.
Pre-2020 era — multi-track structure
From the late 1990s through February 2020, CCNP existed as five+ tracks: CCNP Routing & Switching (three exams — ROUTE 300-101, SWITCH 300-115, TSHOOT 300-135), CCNP Security (multi-exam), CCNP Data Center (multi-exam), CCNP Service Provider (multi-exam), CCNP Voice / Collaboration (multi-exam), CCNP Wireless (multi-exam). Track names, exam codes, and content scope changed roughly every 4-6 years.
24 February 2020 consolidation
Cisco completed its largest certification revamp in two decades. The multi-exam tracks were consolidated into a streamlined two-exam structure — one CORE exam plus one Concentration exam — per track. CCNP Wireless was retired as a standalone track; wireless content moved into the new CCNP Enterprise track (ENWLSD 300-425 + ENWLSI 300-430 concentrations). CCNP R&S became CCNP Enterprise; CCNP Voice became part of CCNP Collaboration.
Modern CCNP 2020-present
Five active tracks: CCNP Enterprise (most popular), CCNP Security, CCNP Data Center, CCNP Service Provider, CCNP Collaboration. Each track expanded coverage to include automation, Python scripting, REST APIs, and cloud-adjacent technologies (SD-WAN, ACI, cloud-managed networking) — reflecting how enterprise networks evolved by 2020.
2024-2026 updates
Cisco refreshed concentration exam blueprints periodically. CCNP Security added a Zero Trust concentration (300-740 SCAZT). CCNP Enterprise refreshed SD-WAN coverage as Cisco rebranded Viptela to Catalyst SD-WAN. Cisco DNA Center coverage expanded. AI and automation content increased weight across CORE exams without changing exam codes.
Who takes CCNP in India 2026 — six common profiles
The Indian CCNP buyer mix is more varied than the textbook "working network engineer" profile. The table below covers the six most common profiles and what motivates each to pursue the credential.
| Profile | Motivation |
|---|---|
| Working Cisco network engineer (CCNA + 1-2 yr exp) | Salary uplift from ₹5-7 LPA to ₹8-14 LPA mid-level network engineer at TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, NTT, Cisco partners. Most common CCNP profile in India. |
| Career-switcher targeting full networking restart | Joining via Networkers Home 8-month Cybersec + Cloud Bundle (₹1,20,000 incl. GST) with CCNP as voucher choice + bundled Palo Alto + Fortinet + AWS + Azure + paid internship + Placement Guarantee*. |
| Pre-sales / solutions engineer track | CCNP + customer-conversation skills required for pre-sales JDs at Cisco India and Cisco SI partners. Salary range ₹15-28 LPA. |
| Final-year engineering student (top-tier) | CCNP early on the resume differentiates fresher candidates in competitive on-campus placement seasons — especially for Cisco partner roles. |
| NRI / Gulf-based engineer wanting India reposting | CCNP + 3-5 yrs Gulf experience qualifies for senior network engineer roles at Indian GCCs (Walmart, Target, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs India tech centres) at ₹14-22 LPA. |
| Engineer prepping for CCIE | CCNP is the natural step before CCIE. Pass ENCOR 350-401 — it also doubles as the CCIE Enterprise written qualifying exam. |
Now that you know what CCNP is — where to learn it
Networkers Home delivers CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR 350-401 + ENARSI 300-410) from its HSR Layout Bangalore campus and via live-online to 40 Indian cities. The 3-month standalone track is ₹39,000 + 18% GST (₹46,020 total) with 6 × ₹7,670 in-house 0% EMI. The track runs on real Cisco IOS-XE 17.x hardware accessible 24×7 via vpn.networkershome.com, plus bundled SD-WAN + AI Automation modules that map to current Indian Cisco partner JDs. Founder Vikas Swami holds Dual CCIE #22239 (Routing & Switching + Security) — verifiable on Cisco's public CCIE database.
Career-switchers wanting CCNP bundled with placement should consider the 8-month Cybersec + Cloud Bundle at ₹1,20,000 incl. 18% GST (6 × ₹20,000 EMI) — bundles 1-2 vouchers (CCNP is a typical choice), 4-month paid internship in founder products, and Placement Guarantee* with written terms at /placement-guarantee-terms/. 800+ hiring partners. 45,000+ alumni placed since 2007.
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