The Cisco Certification Path in 2026: CCNA, CCNP, CCIE and the February 2026 Renames
Skip the roadmap - test yourself on the first step
A complete CCNA 200-301 practice exam: 103 questions in 120 minutes with an Exam Coach report. A free ENCOR paper is linked on the CCNP step below.
CCNA-EXAM-FULL
Try a free CCNA exam
Already have an account? Log in to redeem
WANFree with the code
Branch Office Connectivity Failure
A branch PC has lost access to the head-office server. Work through the path, find what is wrong, and fix it.
First-hop redundancyFree with the code
First Hop Redundancy: The Wrong Router Is Active
Traffic is leaving through the backup router and its slow uplink. Make the intended router active and keep it that way.
OSPF
Three Sites on OSPF
One site has dropped out of the routing domain. Find out why the adjacency will not form and bring the site back.
Scenarios from the CCNA and CCNP ENCOR packs, each a live network with one hidden fault. The free code opens one scenario per certification. CCNA labs · ENCOR labs.
The Cisco certification path runs CCNA → CCNP → CCIE, with CCST as an optional entry step. The CCNA (200-301) is one $300 exam; CCNP Enterprise is the ENCOR 350-401 core exam ($400) plus one concentration ($300); CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure reuses ENCOR and adds an 8-hour lab ($1,600). On 3 February 2026 DevNet became the Automation track and CyberOps became CCNA and CCNP Cybersecurity. CCNA v2.0 starts on 3 February 2027.Prices and versions checked against Cisco's pages on 12 October 2026.
In this guide
The Cisco path, step by step
Cisco has no formal prerequisites at any level: you can sit a CCNP or CCIE exam without holding a CCNA. Prices are Cisco's US list prices, checked October 2026.
-
CCST (entry, optional)
Entry-level certifications in networking, cybersecurity and IT support. Most candidates aiming at a networking job go straight to the CCNA.
-
CCNA · 200-301
The associate networking certification: fundamentals, switching, routing, IP services, security and automation. v1.1 runs until 2 February 2027; v2.0 starts on 3 February 2027.
Free CCNA practice exam → -
CCNP Enterprise · ENCOR 350-401 + one concentration
The professional level: the ENCOR core exam (v1.2 since 19 March 2026) plus one concentration exam such as ENARSI 300-410. Passing ENCOR alone earns a Specialist certification.
Free ENCOR practice exam → -
CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
The expert level reuses the CCNP core exam as its qualifier, then an 8-hour lab: a 3-hour design module and a 5-hour deploy, operate and optimise module.
The tracks, and the February 2026 renames
On 3 February 2026 Cisco folded its separate DevNet and CyberOps lines into the CCNA, CCNP and CCIE names. Active certifications were migrated automatically.
| Track | Associate | Professional | Expert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise networking | CCNA | CCNP Enterprise | CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCIE Enterprise Wireless |
| Automation (formerly DevNet) | CCNA Automation | CCNP Automation | CCIE Automation |
| Cybersecurity (formerly CyberOps) | CCNA Cybersecurity | CCNP Cybersecurity | - |
| Security | CCNA | CCNP Security (SCOR 350-701 core) | CCIE Security |
| Data Center, Service Provider, Collaboration | CCNA | CCNP in each | CCIE in each |
Track names from Cisco's certification announcements; check Cisco's site for the current concentration exams in each track. CCNP Security study notes: SCOR 350-701 guides.
Where to start
| Your situation | Start at | Read next |
|---|---|---|
| New to networking | CCNA (or Network+ first if IT itself is new) | CCNA vs Network+ |
| Hold a CCNA and work on enterprise networks | CCNP Enterprise, starting with ENCOR | CCNA vs CCNP |
| Write code and scripts for networks | CCNA Automation | Cisco's Automation track pages |
| Work in a SOC or want to | CCNA Cybersecurity, or CompTIA Security+ | CompTIA path |
How long Cisco certifications last
Every Cisco certification is valid for three years. Renew a CCNA with 30 continuing education (CE) credits or by passing a qualifying exam. Renew a CCNP with 80 CE credits, by passing a core exam, by passing two concentration exams, or with one concentration exam plus 40 CE credits.
What each level costs in exam fees
| Level | Exams | Exam fees |
|---|---|---|
| CCNA | 200-301 | $300 |
| CCNP Enterprise | ENCOR 350-401 + one concentration | $700 |
| CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure | ENCOR 350-401 + the lab | $2,000 |
Per-exam detail: CCNA exam cost and format and ENCOR exam cost and format.
Practice for the steps we cover
| Certification | Free exam | Full pack ($39 once) |
|---|---|---|
| CCNA 200-301 | CCNA-EXAM-FULL | 5 exams, 510 questions, 9 troubleshooting labs |
| CCNP ENCOR 350-401 | CCNP-EXAM-FULL | 3 exams, 305 questions, 3 troubleshooting labs |
We do not cover CCST, the Automation or Cybersecurity tracks, or CCNP concentration exams.
Start with a full-length CCNA paper
103 questions in 120 minutes and an Exam Coach report that ranks your domains. Free, no credit card.
Try a free CCNA exam$39 once per certification, lifetime, future versions included.
Frequently asked questions about the Cisco path
What is the Cisco certification path?
Entry level CCST (optional), then CCNA, then CCNP (a core exam plus one concentration), then CCIE (the same core exam plus an 8-hour lab). Cisco has no formal prerequisites, so you can start at any level.
Do I need a CCNA before the CCNP?
No. Cisco removed formal prerequisites, so you can sit ENCOR without a CCNA. Most candidates still take the CCNA first because ENCOR assumes CCNA-level knowledge.
What happened to Cisco DevNet and CyberOps?
On 3 February 2026 Cisco renamed them: DevNet Associate, Professional and Expert became CCNA, CCNP and CCIE Automation, and CyberOps became CCNA and CCNP Cybersecurity. Active certifications were migrated automatically.
How much does it cost to get CCNA, CCNP and CCIE?
In exam fees at October 2026 list prices: CCNA $300, CCNP Enterprise $700 (ENCOR $400 plus a $300 concentration), and the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure lab $1,600 on top of ENCOR.
Is the CCNA changing?
Yes. CCNA 200-301 v1.1 can be taken until 2 February 2027, and v2.0 starts on 3 February 2027.
How long is a Cisco certification valid?
Three years. A CCNA renews with 30 CE credits or a qualifying exam; a CCNP with 80 CE credits or exams.