CCNP Enterprise Certification Path 2026: 350-401 ENCOR, Concentration Exams & Which One to Choose

The CCNP Enterprise certification is designed for networking professionals who want to demonstrate advanced skills in building, operating, securing, and troubleshooting modern enterprise networks. Compared with the associate-level CCNA certification, CCNP Enterprise goes deeper into enterprise infrastructure and allows candidates to specialize in areas such as advanced routing, Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN, network design, cloud connectivity, and network assurance.

In 2026, the CCNP Enterprise path follows a flexible structure: candidates must pass the required 350-401 ENCOR core exam plus one concentration exam of their choice. This allows candidates to select a specialization that matches their current work or future career goals. Cisco currently lists five CCNP Enterprise concentration exams: 300-410 ENARSI, 300-415 ENSDWI, 300-420 ENSLD, 300-440 ENCC, and 300-445 ENNA.

For anyone planning to pursue CCNP Enterprise, understanding the differences among these exams is one of the most important steps before beginning preparation.

How Do You Earn CCNP Enterprise in 2026?

To earn the certification, pass two exams:

1. 350-401 ENCOR – Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies

2. One CCNP Enterprise concentration exam

ENCOR covers the shared foundation: dual-stack IPv4 and IPv6 architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and automation. Cisco does not require CCNA or another certification as a formal prerequisite. Passing individual CCNP exams also earns the corresponding Cisco Specialist certification.

Current CCNP Enterprise Exams at a Glance

The concentration exams are generally 90 minutes and US$300. ENARSI, ENSDWI, ENSLD, and ENCC are available in English and Japanese, while ENNA is offered in English. Confirm all delivery details with Cisco before booking.

Which CCNP Enterprise Concentration Exam Should You Choose?

300-410 ENARSI – Advanced Routing and Troubleshooting

300-410 ENARSI – Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services covers advanced Layer 3 technologies, VPN services, infrastructure security, infrastructure services, and automation.

Choose ENARSI if you work heavily with routing, enterprise WAN environments, VPNs, infrastructure services, or troubleshooting.

300-415 ENSDWI – Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

300-415 ENSDWI – Implementing Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Solutions covers SD-WAN architecture, controller and WAN Edge deployment, policies, security, QoS, multicast, management, and operations.

Choose ENSDWI if your organization is deploying or operating Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN across branches or distributed enterprise environments.

300-420 ENSLD – Enterprise Network Design

300-420 ENSLD – Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks focuses on architecture and design decisions, including advanced addressing and routing design, campus networks, WAN architecture, network and security services, and Software-Defined Access.

Choose ENSLD if you want to move toward network architecture, solution design, consulting, or senior engineering roles.

300-440 ENCC – Secure Cloud Connectivity

300-440 ENCC – Designing and Implementing Secure Cloud Connectivity covers cloud connectivity architecture, IPsec, SD-WAN, operations, implementation, troubleshooting, and design.

Choose ENCC if your responsibilities involve hybrid-cloud networking or connecting enterprise environments securely to cloud infrastructure.

300-445 ENNA – Enterprise Network Assurance

300-445 ENNA – Designing and Implementing Enterprise Network Assurance covers network assurance architecture, platforms, data collection, analysis, monitoring, and operational insights. Cisco's related training includes technologies such as Cisco ThousandEyes and Meraki Insight.

Choose ENNA if your work centers on monitoring, network operations, performance analysis, digital experience, or proactive troubleshooting.

Why 350-401 ENCOR + 300-410 ENARSI Is a Popular Path

For professionals with a traditional routing and switching background, 350-401 ENCOR + 300-410 ENARSI is a practical combination. ENCOR provides breadth across enterprise architecture, infrastructure, virtualization, assurance, security, and automation. ENARSI provides greater depth in advanced routing, VPN services, infrastructure security, services, and troubleshooting.

350-401 ENCOR gives you breadth across enterprise networking.

300-410 ENARSI gives you greater depth in routing and infrastructure troubleshooting.

Candidates planning to prepare for both exams can also use the CCNP Enterprise Certification Bundle, which combines preparation resources for 350-401 ENCOR and 300-410 ENARSI in one package.

CCNA vs CCNP Enterprise: Do You Need CCNA First?

No. CCNA is not a formal prerequisite for CCNP Enterprise. However, CCNP Enterprise is a professional-level certification. Beginners benefit from CCNA-equivalent knowledge of IPv4 and IPv6, VLANs and trunking, routing fundamentals, OSPF, network services, basic security, wireless networking, and troubleshooting before beginning CCNP preparation.

Best Preparation Strategy for CCNP Enterprise Candidates

1. Start with the latest Cisco exam objectives. Use the official blueprint as a checklist.

2. Build the ENCOR foundation first. For most candidates, 350-401 before the concentration is the logical progression.

3. Add hands-on practice. Use labs for configuration, routing behavior, troubleshooting, security, and concentration-specific technologies.

4. Learn to analyze network output. Practice interpreting routing tables, configurations, logs, topology information, and scenarios.

5. Use practice tests to identify weak areas. Practice questions are most valuable when they reveal topics requiring further review.

6. Choose by career direction. A routing engineer and a cloud-connectivity engineer should not necessarily choose the same concentration.

Is CCNP Enterprise Worth Pursuing in 2026?

For network professionals working with Cisco enterprise environments, CCNP Enterprise remains worth pursuing in 2026, especially for those seeking advanced roles in enterprise networking, routing, SD-WAN, network design, cloud connectivity, or network assurance.

Its flexible structure allows candidates to combine the 350-401 ENCOR core exam with a concentration that matches their career direction. More importantly, the certification focuses on technologies and skills commonly used in modern enterprise networks, making it relevant for experienced network engineers who want to deepen or specialize their expertise.

Final Thoughts: Choose the CCNP Enterprise Path That Matches Your Career

The CCNP Enterprise certification path in 2026 begins with one common requirement—350-401 ENCOR—but gives candidates five different ways to specialize.

Choose 300-410 ENARSI for advanced routing and troubleshooting, 300-415 ENSDWI for Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN, 300-420 ENSLD for enterprise design, 300-440 ENCC for secure cloud connectivity, or 300-445 ENNA for network assurance.

For candidates who want strong, broad enterprise networking skills with deeper expertise in routing and troubleshooting, 350-401 ENCOR + 300-410 ENARSI is a particularly logical combination.

More importantly, choose your concentration based on the kind of network professional you want to become—not simply on which exam appears easiest to pass.

Frequently Asked Questions About CCNP Enterprise

How many exams are required for CCNP Enterprise?

You must pass 350-401 ENCOR plus one current CCNP Enterprise concentration exam to earn the certification.

Is CCNA mandatory before CCNP Enterprise?

No. Cisco does not require CCNA as a prerequisite for CCNP Enterprise. However, candidates should have solid networking fundamentals before beginning professional-level preparation.

Can I take the concentration exam before ENCOR?

Yes. You can take the exams in either order. However, preparing for 350-401 ENCOR first is generally recommended because it provides the enterprise networking foundation that supports the concentration exams.

How long is CCNP Enterprise valid?

CCNP Enterprise is valid for three years. Cisco provides several recertification options, including qualifying exams and Continuing Education activities.

Which CCNP Enterprise concentration exam should I choose?

Choose the concentration that best matches your career direction: 300-410 ENARSI for advanced routing, 300-415 ENSDWI for Catalyst SD-WAN, 300-420 ENSLD for network design, 300-440 ENCC for cloud connectivity, or 300-445 ENNA for network assurance.