CCNA
200-301
1Network Fundamentals
20%
2Network Access
20%
3IP Connectivity
25%
4IP Services
10%
5Security Fundamentals
15%
6Automation and Programmability
10%
Certification comparison
CCNA vs CCNP Enterprise
CCNA shows you can run a small or medium network. CCNP Enterprise shows you can design, build and troubleshoot a large one, and it takes two exams: a core exam and a concentration you choose.
Last updated
Side by side
The two exams at a glance
Every figure comes from the vendor’s own pages, through our exam guides, and is checked every week.
| Cisco CCNA | Cisco CCNP Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Cisco | Cisco |
| Exam code | 200-301 | 350-401 |
| Level | IntermediateCisco calls it Associate | AdvancedCisco calls it Professional |
| Written for | Network engineer | Network engineer |
| Questions | Not published by Cisco | Check Cisco’s exam page |
| Time | 120 min | 120 + 90 min |
| Passing score | Not published by Cisco | Not published by Cisco |
| Exam cost | $300Plus tax, paid to Pearson VUE; set by country | Varies by examCisco sets each exam’s price, paid to Pearson VUE; plus tax |
| Experience | NonePrerequisites | NonePrerequisites |
| Exams to pass | Not listed | Core + 1 |
| Renewal | Every 3 years: 30 CE credits | Every 3 years: 80 CE credits |
| Exam outline | 6 domainsLargest: IP Connectivity (25%) | 6 domainsLargest: Infrastructure (30%) |
| What’s changing | No change announced | No change announced |
Levels are our own rating, from the level each vendor gives its exam. How we check our facts
Exam domains
What each exam covers
Each domain’s share of the exam, as the vendor publishes it. Where one exam has two versions on sale, this is the newer one.
CCNP Enterprise
350-401
1Architecture
15%
2Virtualization
10%
3Infrastructure
30%
4Network Assurance
10%
5Security
20%
6Automation and Artificial Intelligence
15%
Which one
Which should you take?
Choose CCNA if
you’re starting in networking or want your first Cisco certification.
Choose CCNP Enterprise if
you already work as a network engineer and want to move into senior work.
Which one first?
CCNA first for most people. Cisco no longer requires it, though: CCNP has no formal prerequisites, so an experienced engineer can go straight to it.
Beyond the numbers
What really differs
One exam against two
CCNA is a single exam. CCNP Enterprise is the core exam plus one concentration exam in an area such as advanced routing, SD-WAN, network design or automation.
Depth
CCNA covers the foundations of routing, switching, wireless, security and automation. The CCNP core goes into enterprise architecture, virtualization, network assurance and automation at the level of someone who designs the network.
What the core exam also gives you
Passing the CCNP core exam also qualifies you to attempt the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure lab, and each CCNP exam you pass earns a Cisco Specialist certification of its own.
FAQs
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
Find quick answers or contact our support team.
Should I take CCNA or CCNP Enterprise first?
CCNA first for most people. Cisco no longer requires it, though: CCNP has no formal prerequisites, so an experienced engineer can go straight to it.
Which is harder, CCNA or CCNP Enterprise?
CCNP Enterprise. We rate CCNP Enterprise advanced and CCNA intermediate, going by the level each vendor gives its exam and the experience it expects.
What experience do I need for CCNA and CCNP Enterprise?
CCNA: Cisco sets no prerequisites for CCNA. Knowing the exam’s domains well is what counts. CCNP Enterprise: Cisco sets no prerequisites for CCNP Enterprise. Knowing the exam’s domains well is what counts.
Which costs more, CCNA or CCNP Enterprise?
CCNA: $300 (plus tax, paid to Pearson VUE; set by country). Check Cisco’s site for the price in your country. CCNP Enterprise: Varies by exam. Cisco sets each exam’s price, paid to Pearson VUE; plus tax.
