When I earned my first CCNP, enterprise networks were right in the middle of a massive transition. Traditional campus designs were giving way to SD-WAN, automation was no longer “nice to have,” and security teams were suddenly sitting at the same table as network engineers.
Fast forward to 2026, and I can say this with confidence: CCNP Enterprise is still one of the most practical and career-defining certifications in networking.
Not because it’s trendy. Not because it’s easy. But because it reflects how real enterprise networks actually work today.
Cisco’s latest updates didn’t rewrite the rulebook—but they did refine it. And if you understand why those changes happened, your study plan becomes much clearer.
Let’s break it all down, engineer to engineer.
Why Wireless Was Removed from ENCOR
This move actually makes sense from an engineering perspective.
Enterprise wireless today is:
- Controller-based
- Heavily automated
- Deeply tied to RF design and analytics
Trying to “half-test” wireless inside ENCOR was never ideal.
Cisco’s decision signals maturity: wireless is no longer a side skill—it’s a specialization.
And yes, 300-430 ENWLSI is still available if wireless is your lane.
Wireless Isn’t Gone — It Has Its Own Track
This is perhaps the biggest 2026 shift:
Cisco is launching a dedicated wireless certification track with both CCNP Wireless and CCIE Wireless, effective March 19, 2026.
In this new track:
- CCNP Wireless will have its own core exam (350-101 WLCOR) and wireless concentration exams — valid for serious wireless engineers.
- CCIE Wireless returns with updated topics including Wi-Fi 6/7, Meraki cloud management, and advanced troubleshooting that reflect real enterprise wireless challenges.
This effectively unlinks wireless from the CCNP Enterprise concentration suite, meaning:
- ENWLSI and ENWLSD (the former wireless concentrations) will be part of the new wireless track after March 19, 2026.
- Earlier passes of ENWLSI/ENWLSD within the past 3 years can typically be applied toward CCNP Wireless when combined with the new wireless core exam — but the certification is logically distinct.
In other words: wireless hasn’t been removed — it’s been given its own professional lane instead of being bundled inside Enterprise.
This change reflects how complex wireless architectures — RF design, cloud management, AI-assisted networks — have become. It’s no longer just another “section” of a general exam; it’s its own discipline.
👉 Practical takeaway:
If you were already preparing for ENCOR, you don’t need to panic. Just stop over-investing in wireless for the core exam and redirect that energy toward automation and security concepts.
Impact on Different Types of Candidates
- Existing ENCOR v1.1 candidates
Finish strong. The change is small enough that your current prep remains valid. - New candidates starting in 2026
Focus more on:- Network automation (APIs, data models)
- Enterprise security fundamentals
- SD-WAN architectures
Wireless can wait—unless you plan to specialize.
Is CCNP Enterprise Still Worth It in 2026?
Yes—if you’re serious about enterprise networking.
Let’s talk reality.
Salary and Market Demand
Based on aggregated data from Glassdoor, Global Knowledge, and U.S. job listings:
- Average CCNP Enterprise salary (U.S.):
$120,000–$140,000/year 📈 - Demand is driven by:
- Digital transformation
- SD-WAN deployments
- Hybrid cloud connectivity
- Network automation initiatives
Companies don’t just want “network admins” anymore.
They want engineers who understand architecture, operations, and change at scale.
What Hiring Managers Actually Care About
Here’s what I’ve seen firsthand:
- CCNP doesn’t get you hired alone
- But CCNP + hands-on skills gets you interviews
- CCNP signals:
- You understand enterprise complexity
- You can read designs, not just configs
- You’re not afraid of large environments
In other words, it reduces hiring risk.
A Real Career Pattern I See Repeated
Many engineers follow this arc:
- CCNA → junior network role
- CCNP Enterprise → senior engineer / lead projects
- CCNP + automation → architect / SRE / platform roles
CCNP is often the inflection point.
Certification Structure Explained
To earn CCNP Enterprise, you must pass:
- 1 Core Exam
- 1 Concentration Exam
- Choose one from the official list
Each exam you pass also earns you a Cisco Specialist certification.
Exam Format Basics
| Exam Type | Duration | Question Types |
|---|---|---|
| ENCOR | 120 minutes | MCQ, drag-and-drop, simulations |
| Concentration | 90 minutes | Scenario-based, MCQ |
Passing scores are not published, and Cisco uses scaled scoring—focus on mastery, not guessing percentages.
CCNP Enterprise Certification Structure
| Component | Exam Code | Name | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | 350-401 | ENCOR | Enterprise fundamentals |
| Concentration | 300-410 | ENARSI | Advanced routing |
| Concentration | 300-415 | ENSDWI | SD-WAN |
| Concentration | 300-420 | ENSLD | Network design |
| Concentration | 300-430 | ENWLSI | Enterprise wireless |
| Concentration | 300-435 | ENAUTO | Automation |
| Concentration | 300-440 | ENCC | Cloud connectivity |
| Concentration | 300-445 | ENNA | Network assurance |
How to Choose the Right Concentration Exam
This decision matters more than most people think.
300-410 ENARSI – Advanced Routing
Best for:
- Traditional enterprise networks
- Service provider crossover roles
- Engineers who love routing logic
Heavy on:
- EIGRP, OSPF, BGP
- Troubleshooting scenarios
300-415 ENSDWI – SD-WAN
Best for:
- Modern enterprise environments
- Branch-heavy organizations
- Migration projects
If your company runs SD-WAN, this exam pays dividends immediately.
300-420 ENSLD – Enterprise Design
Best for:
- Senior engineers
- Architects
- Pre-sales roles
Less CLI, more thinking.
300-430 ENWLSI – Enterprise Wireless
Best for:
- Wireless specialists
- Campus-heavy environments
Still valid, but clearly moving into its own ecosystem.
300-435 ENAUTO – Automation
Best for:
- Engineers who code a little
- Anyone future-proofing their career
APIs, Python, controllers—this is where networking is heading.
300-440 ENCC – Cloud Connectivity
Best for:
- Hybrid cloud environments
- AWS/Azure network integration
Growing fast, especially in large enterprises.
300-445 ENNA – Network Assurance
Best for:
- Operations-heavy roles
- Monitoring and analytics focus
Newer, but increasingly relevant.
Concentration Exam Comparison Table
| Code | Name | Best For | Career Direction | Recommended Learning Resources PDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300-410 | ENARSI | Routing experts | Senior engineer | 2026 cisco 300-410 Practice Materials |
| 300-415 | ENSDWI | SD-WAN engineers | Enterprise WAN | 2026 cisco 300-415 Practice Materials |
| 300-420 | ENSLD | Designers | Architect | 2026 cisco 300-420 Practice Materials |
| 300-430 | ENWLSI | Wireless specialists | Campus wireless | 2026 cisco 300-430 Practice Materials |
| 300-435 | ENAUTO | Automation-focused | NetDevOps | 2026 cisco 300-435 Practice Materials |
| 300-440 | ENCC | Cloud networking | Hybrid cloud | 2026 cisco 300-440 Practice Materials |
| 300-445 | ENNA | Ops engineers | Network assurance |
My Proven Study Strategy (What Actually Works)
1. Study Order Matters
I always recommend:
- ENCOR first
- Then your chosen concentration
ENCOR builds the mental framework.
2. Hands-On Beats Reading (Every Time)
Aim for:
- 60% lab work
- 40% theory
Even simple labs:
- GNS3 / CML
- API calls with Postman
- SD-WAN concepts on paper
3. Use Official Resources First
Priority order:
- Cisco Press books
- Cisco Learning Network discussions
- Official training courses
Then—and only then—use reputable third-party tools like Leads4Pass, Boson ExSim, or INE to validate readiness.
Practice exams don’t teach—you use them to measure gaps, Identify and address shortcomings/gaps..
4. Simulate Exam Pressure
- Timed exams
- No pausing
- Review mistakes immediately
Confidence comes from repetition.
Future Paths After CCNP Enterprise
CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
Still the gold standard for deep technical mastery.
Specialist Certifications
Each passed exam builds stackable credentials.
Industry Trends (2026–2030)
- AI-driven networking
- Zero Trust architectures
- Intent-based operations
- Deep automation
CCNP Enterprise is not the end—it’s the foundation.
Final Thoughts
CCNP Enterprise isn’t about passing an exam.
It’s about thinking like an enterprise engineer.
If you study with intention, practice consistently, and understand why networks behave the way they do, this certification will pay you back for years.
FAQs
1. Is ENCOR v1.1 still valid?
Yes, until March 18, 2026.
2. Should beginners attempt CCNP Enterprise?
Only after solid CCNA-level experience.
3. Is automation mandatory now?
You don’t need to be a developer, but basic automation knowledge is essential.
4. Which concentration has the best ROI?
ENSDWI and ENAUTO currently lead in demand.
5. Can CCNP be renewed without retaking exams?
Yes—through Continuing Education (CE) credits within 3 years.
6.Does ENCOR v1.2 drop wireless completely?
Yes — wireless is now part of a separate CCNP Wireless track, not ENCOR.
