A Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is a person in the IT industry who has achieved the professional level of Cisco Career Certification.

Professional certifications

Prior to February 2020 there were approximately eight professional-level certification programs within Cisco Career Certifications.

• CCDP

• CCNP Cloud

• CCNP Collaboration

• CCNP Data Center

• CCNP Routing and Switching

• CCNP Security

• CCNP Service Provider

• CCNP Wireless

Cisco has announced that as of February 2020, the above format has been retired and replaced with the following:

• CCNP Enterprise (integrating CCNP Routing and Switching, CCDP and CCNP Wireless)

• CCNP Data Center (integrating CCNP Cloud)

• CCNP Security

• CCNP Service Provider

• CCNP Collaboration

• Cisco Certified DevNet Professional

Migration guides to the newer certification exams are available from Cisco at its CCNP Migration Tools page.

Required exams

Before February 2020 relevant entry-level certifications needed to be passed in advance if a candidate wanted to attempt the professional level exams. Starting February 2020, no entry-level certification will be required to attempt the CCNP exams.

Validity

The validity of CCNP Certification is 3 years. Renewal requires certification holders to register for and pass same or higher level Cisco recertification exam(s) every 3 years or obtain 80 continuing education credits.

Related certifications

• Associate-level certification: CCNA

• Expert-level Certification: CCIE

References