CCNA vs CCNP: Which Certification Should You Choose in 2025?

Cisco certifications are highly recognized in the IT industry and serve as key milestones on the path to a successful networking career. Among these, CCNA and CCNP stand out as two of the most popular certification choices. Understanding the differences between CCNA and CCNP can help you decide which certification aligns best with your career goals. In this blog, you will learn about CCNA and CCNP certifications, and comparisons of the certifications based on topics, difficulty, job opportunities, and more.

Table of Contents:

• What is the CCNA Certification?
• What is the CCNP Certification?
• Difference Between CCNA and CCNP?
• Cisco Certification Levels
• Benefits of CCNA and CCNP
• Key Topics Covered in CCNA and CCNP
• Exam Details of CCNA and CCNP
• CCNA vs CCNP: Difficulty Level
• Salary Difference Between CCNA and CCNP
• Similarities Between CCNA and CCNP
• What Makes Intellipaat Stand Out for Networking Certifications
• Common Myths About CCNA and CCNP
• Conclusion

What is the CCNA Certification?

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is an associate-level credential marketed as an “all-in-one networking starter.” It validates the applicant’s knowledge of the basic networking concepts in the wired, wireless, and security areas.

What is the CCNP Certification?

CCNP means Cisco Certified Network Professional. It is a certification for networking professionals who understand the fundamentals of networking. In 2020, Cisco revised the certification and added paths to CCNP that include Enterprise, Security, Collaboration, Data Centre, Service Provider, and DevNet.

CCNP gives you advanced skills such as determining how to design larger networks, solving problems before they occur, and making networks operate more securely and autonomously. This certification is useful if you have a basic understanding of routing and switching fundamentals and want to advance in your career.

Difference Between CCNA and CCNP?

Cisco Certification Levels

Cisco certifications are divided into four main levels — Entry, Associate, Professional, and Expert, which are designed to match your skill and experience in networking, from beginner to advanced.

1.  Entry Level (CCT – Cisco Certified Technician)

This is the entry-level certification, especially for beginners who want to start their career in networking and want to learn about how to use and support Cisco devices in the field of networking.

2. Associate Level (CCNA- Cisco Certified Network Associate)

This level is perfect for those who want to build a strong foundation in networking, as it covers basics like routing, switching, security, and more.

3. Professional Level (CCNP-Cisco Certified Network Professional)

This level is perfect for those who already have a clear understanding of the basics of networking and want to learn deeper concepts. You can be specialised in areas like enterprise networks, security, or data centres.

4. Expert Level (CCIE – Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)

This level is the most respected certification in the industry, which is for advanced working professionals and demonstrates top-tier networking skills.

5. Architect Level ( CCAr – Cisco Certified Architect)

This level is the highest of all certification levels and is mainly for senior network designers who can create complex network solutions for big organisations.

Note: Since 2020, Cisco simplified its certification paths by removing mandatory prerequisites, allowing candidates to pursue CCNP certifications without first earning CCNA. This change aims to make learning more flexible and focus on skills rather than certification hierarchy

Benefits of CCNA and CCNP Certification:

Let’s explore the benefits of both the certification:

Benefits of CCNA Certification

1. Credibility: Even non-Cisco organisations acknowledge that CCNA is a minimum of networking ability.
2. Career Entry Point: Help desk or NOC analysts with CCNA typically move into network engineer positions more quickly.
3. Fundamental Knowledge: CCNA provides you with the fundamental knowledge so that you can troubleshoot issues at Layer 1-4 confidently.
4. Recertification Flexibility: Continuing Education (CE) credits can be earned through webinars or instructor-led training, avoiding the need to retake the exam every 36 months.
5. Vendor Ecosystem Access: Access to Cisco Learning Network discussions, labs, and beta programs opens up to CCNA holders.

Benefits of CCNP Certification

1. A Step Closer to a CCIE Certification: Completing CCNP provides you with the solid foundation you need if you want to pursue your expert-level CCIE certification at some point.
2. Participate in Cisco Community: With CCNP, you will be able to attend exclusive Cisco events, have access to the beta exams before everyone else, and get some inside information on Cisco’s roadmap and future products.
3. More Respected in the Field: Most companies looking for senior network engineers prefer to hire someone who has a CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) certification or higher.
4. Better Salary: CCNPs typically earn 15-20% more than those with just a CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), according to research surveys.
5. Pick a Speciality: The concentration exams allow you to have more focus on what you like: Wireless networks, automation, or design, while still holding the strong CCNP title.

Key Topics Covered in CCNA and CCNP

Let’s explore the key topics covered in both certifications in detail:

Key Topics Covered in CCNA

1. Network Basics: OSI/TCP‑IP models, IPv4/IPv6 addressing, cabling, and physical connections.
2. Network Access: VLANs, trunking (802.1Q), EtherChannel, and variations of the spanning‑tree protocol.
3. IP Connectivity: Static, default, and dynamic routing (RIP, OSPFv2/v3, and basic EIGRP), and first‑hop redundancy protocols.
4. IP Services:  DHCP, NAT/PAT, NTP, and quality‑of‑service (QoS) markings.
5. Security Basics:  Hardening devices, AAA, ACLs, and basics of VPNs.
6. Automation & Programmability: JSON, REST APIs.

Key Topics Covered in CCNP Certification

The CCNP certification is designed for a “core + concentration” series of assessments. This means you will have to complete one main (core) exam and one specialized (concentration) exam based on your interests.

1. Core Exam (ENCOR 350-401):

1. Your core exam covers many relevant topics:
2. Routing in both IPv4 and IPv6 (dual-stack)
3. SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network)
4. Network automation
5. Network virtualization
6. Network security fundamentals

2. Concentration Exams (select one):

1. ENARSI – Advanced Routing and Services
2. ENSLD – Designing Enterprise Networks
3. ENAUTO – Automating Enterprise Networks
4. ENWLSI – Implementing and Troubleshooting Wireless Networks
5. ENWLSD – Designing Wireless Networks

CCNA vs CCNP Exam Details

Let’s explore the exam details of both certifications:

CCNA Exam Details:

CCNP Exam Details:

CCNA and CCNP Exam Requirements

While Cisco has made things easier by eliminating the hard prerequisites, that does not mean you should jump in unprepared.

1. CCNA Prerequisites

• Formal Prerequisites: None
• Recommended Experience: 6-12 months of networking knowledge and experience.
• Knowledge Level: A basic understanding of networking fundamentals, IP addressing, and basic command-line interface skills.
• Recommended Audience: Beginners, recent graduates, help desk technicians, and anyone new to networking.

2. CCNP Prerequisites

• Formal Prerequisites: None
• Recommended Experience: 3-5 years of networking experience.
• Knowledge Level: A good understanding of the topics covered in CCNA, as well as advanced routing and switching, security configurations, etc.
• Recommended Audience: Network engineers, network administrators, and professionals looking to specialize or progress in their careers.

CCNA vs CCNP: Difficulty Level

When you think about CCNA and CCNP, the biggest difference is going to be the level of depth and complexity. Here, let’s keep it simple:

1. CCNA: Entry level

• CCNA is an entry-level certification, ideal for those very new to networking.
• CCNA covers basics such as IP addressing, routing, switching, and basic security.
• Most people can study and be prepared to take the CCNA in about 2-3 months of consistent studying.
• While CCNA covers a fair amount of content, the content is not overly in-depth.
• Good for freshers, students, and anyone looking to get their first networking job.

2. CCNP: Professional level

• CCNP is a professional-level certification and is targeted toward people with experience.
• When you get to CCNP, you are getting into deeper networking concepts such as BGP, advanced routing, network design, SD-WAN, automation, etc.
• CCNP is a real-world, practical certification, and you need more hands-on experience to understand and apply.
• The overall difficulty is harder, and studying for CCNP usually takes about 3-6 months, depending on the background.
• Good for network engineers, network admins, and professionals targeting Senior roles.

Which is Harder?

• CCNP is harder than CCNA.
• CCNP will require a more in-depth technical knowledge, lab practice, and real-world experience.

Salary Difference Between CCNA and CCNP

A common question that many individuals ask is: “Is CCNP going to pay me more than CCNA?” The short answer is yes, and the CCNP will generally pay you more than the CCNA because the CCNP is a more advanced certification and leads to better-paying jobs.

1. CCNA Salary: Since the CCNA is an entry-level certification, the salary ranges are also entry-level. You are likely to find job positions with titles such as network technician, help desk support, or junior network engineer.

• Average Salary (Global): $50,000 -$70,000 per year
• In India: ₹3 LPA – ₹6 LPA (but can vary considerably depending on the following factors: city, company, length of experience)

2. CCNP Salary: The CCNP is designed for a more competent and intermediate-level technician who can troubleshoot complex problems. They can typically hold positions with titles such as network engineer, network analyst, or even senior network administrator.

• Average Salary (Global): $75,000 – $110,000 / Year
• In India: ₹6 LPA – ₹12 LPA (but can vary depending on the title and location)

Why is the salary so much higher for CCNP?

• More technical skills = more responsibility =  higher pay
• CCNP is trained on and able to directly perform on the company’s significant projects, advanced problem resolution, and advanced analysis or supervision.

Similarities Between CCNA and CCNP

1. Both are recognized and respected by employers worldwide.
2. Both are valid for 3 years.
3. Both provide access to exclusive Cisco tools, portals, and webinars.
4. Both need a solid understanding of CLI and networking principles.
5. Both support Continuing Education (CE) for recertification.

What Makes Intellipaat Networking Certification Standout

Intellipaat provides complete training for both CCNA and CCNP. Learn more about why you should learn from Intellipaat. Below are the key points that make Intellipaat’s Networking Certification different from others:

• Interactive Learning: Hands-on labs and projects to reinforce theoretical knowledge.
• Flexible Schedule: Self-paced and instructor-led options to suit individual learning preferences.
• Career Support: Resume building, mock interviews, and job assistance services.
• 24/7 Support: Support services are dedicated to addressing questions and providing guidance as the student makes their way through the learning experience.

Common Myths About CCNA and CCNP

1. Myth: CCNA is a prerequisite for CCNP.

Truth: While CCNA gives a solid set of knowledge to help with CCNP, Cisco no longer requires CCNA for CCNP certifications.

2. Myth: CCNA is only for entry-level techs.

Truth: CCNA provides a wide range of fundamental knowledge that produces the skillset for multiple IT roles. Therefore, it is not bound to entry-level technicians.

3. Myth: CCNP is for someone who wants to be a network engineer.

Truth: CCNP certifications provide a certification path for advanced knowledge for professionals focused on security, collaboration, or data center technologies. Therefore, it is not exclusively based on network engineering.

4. Myth: Cisco certifications are losing their relevance because of cloud technologies.

Truth: Cisco has incorporated cloud-related and automation topics into its certification tracks, maintaining their relevance for today´s IT environments.

Conclusion

Both CCNA and CCNP certifications hold significant value in the IT industry. CCNA serves as an entry-level certification that provides new professionals with a strong foundation and essential knowledge of networking concepts, preparing them for more advanced roles. CCNP is better suited for professionals wanting to specialize or enter advanced areas of various networking disciplines. Your choice should depend on your current experience, goals, and the networking areas of interest that you want to go into. No matter which option you get, getting a Cisco certification will add professionalism and credibility to your specialization and expand your opportunities in the vast and continuous world of networking.

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