You’ve probably heard by now that the Cisco Certified Network Professional certification track, which currently consists of three exams and a prerequisite Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), is ending. February 23, 2020 is the last day you can obtain a CCNP credential using the current exam track. The current track will be replaced by a track that requires two exams, but does not require a prerequisite. This new credential is called CCNP Enterprise.
To earn the CCNP Enterprise credential, candidates must pass the core exam numbered 300-401 and one of the following concentration exams.
* Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing & Services (ENARSI 300-410
* Implementing Cisco SDWAN Solutions (ENSDWI), 300-415
* Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks 300-420
* Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks, 300-425
* Implementing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks, (ENWLSI), 300-430
* Automating and Programming Cisco Enterprise Solutions 300-435
This track has a special note: CCNP Wireless & CCDP are now combined credentials in Enterprise.
Cisco requires that you have a CCNP Routing & Switching credential. This is only possible if you already have a CCNA credential. You must also pass the 300-101 ROUTE exam and the 300-115 SWITCH exam. You can also obtain a CCNP Wireless credential, or a Cisco Certified Design Professional credential (CCDP), by obtaining the CCNP Route and Switching credential and then passing the appropriate concentration exam.
Most CCNP candidates take the exams in order. You might decide to study for the 300-101 ROUTE exam as soon as you have your CCNA credential. After passing the ROUTE exam you may then be able to study for the SWITCH exam. You might decide to take the TSHOOT exam after passing the SWITCH exam. It takes time to obtain a CCNP credential in the existing track.
You might be wondering if all the time and money you spent studying for the CCNP Routing and Switching credential is a waste. They have not. Cisco has implemented a migration strategy for candidates who have already invested in the existing exam tracks. Cisco advises existing candidates to continue working towards their credentials on the current track. You have six months to earn the credential. This is at least two months of study per exam for CCNP Routing or Switching. You have more time to study if you have already passed one or two of CCNP Routing or Switching exams. You’re also more likely to be awarded the new credential, even if the February 23, 2020 deadline is missed.
Two possible outcomes await you if you are just starting to study for your first CCNP exam when the changeover date arrives:
1. You only passed one or two exams on the current track.
2. You successfully completed the entire track to earn your CCNP Routing & Switching credential.
Congratulations to those who have completed the entire CCNP Routing & Switching track. Your new CCNP credential will be automatically converted into the new CCNP Enterprise credential starting February 24. You will also receive two specialist credentials: Cisco Certified Specialist Enterprise Core and Cisco Certified Specialist Enterprise Advanced Infrastructure Implementation. The new credential does not require you to take additional exams. However, you will need to recertify every three year by either taking qualifying exams or continuing education credits.
If you are unable to complete the Routing and Switching track by February 24, there are many possible outcomes.