CCNP Enterprise Exam Guide: Two Exams, One Strategy
The short answer
CCNP Enterprise requires two exams: the core ENCOR 350-401 (which everyone takes) plus one concentration exam of your choice — most people choose ENARSI 300-410 (advanced routing). Exam fees are paid directly to Pearson VUE: ENCOR is USD 400 and concentration exams are USD 300 — roughly ₹60,000 of exam fees before any training. There is no formal prerequisite, but attempting CCNP without CCNA-level fundamentals is how people donate USD 400 to Cisco.
How the structure works
| Exam | Role | Fee (2026) | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENCOR 350-401 | Core — mandatory | USD 400 (≈ ₹34,000) | Also the qualifying exam for the CCIE Enterprise lab |
| ENARSI 300-410 | Concentration (most popular) | USD 300 (≈ ₹26,000) | Advanced routing: OSPF, BGP, redistribution, VPN services |
| Other concentrations | SD-WAN, wireless, automation etc. | USD 300 | Pick by the job you want |
Fees set by Cisco and subject to change — verify at Pearson VUE when booking. Passing ENCOR alone also grants the "Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Core" credential, so you bank something even before the concentration.
What ENCOR covers
Dual-stack architecture, virtualization, network assurance, security and automation — but the heart is advanced routing and switching at depth CCNA never reaches: OSPF multi-area behaviour, eBGP, VXLAN concepts, wireless roaming, SD-Access and SD-WAN architecture. Our CCNP Enterprise learning path maps each topic to lab work.
The strategy that actually works
- Order: ENCOR first, always. It is broader and harder; ENARSI then builds on routing you have already cemented.
- Gap after CCNA: 6–12 months of real work or serious lab time before starting. CCNP assumes fluency, not familiarity. (Should you do it at all yet? Our honest answer.)
- Budget for the whole thing: ~₹60,000 in exam fees + training (ours is ₹50,000 — ₹25,000 per paper, flat). A failed ENCOR attempt is ₹34,000 gone, which is the entire argument for training on real equipment rather than dumps.
- Timeline honestly: 6–9 months of evening study for a working engineer. Anyone promising CCNP in 6 weeks is selling exam dumps, and Cisco actively hunts dump users.
Salary reality
CCNP-level engineers in India typically earn ₹6–12 lakh with a few years' experience — the certification amplifies experience rather than replacing it. Numbers and sources in CCNP salary in India.
FAQ
How many exams are needed for CCNP Enterprise?
Two: the ENCOR 350-401 core exam (mandatory) plus one concentration exam of your choice. Most candidates choose ENARSI 300-410, the advanced routing concentration.
What does the CCNP exam cost in India in 2026?
ENCOR 350-401 costs USD 400 (about Rs 34,000) and each concentration exam costs USD 300 (about Rs 26,000), paid directly to Pearson VUE - roughly Rs 60,000 in exam fees, before training. Fees are set by Cisco; verify current prices when booking.
Is CCNA required before CCNP?
Formally no - Cisco removed the prerequisite. Practically yes: ENCOR assumes complete fluency in everything CCNA covers. Attempting it without that foundation is the most common way to lose a USD 400 attempt.
How long does CCNP take?
For a working engineer studying evenings: typically 6-9 months for both exams. Be suspicious of anyone promising CCNP in a few weeks - that timeline is only possible with exam dumps, which violate Cisco policy and get certifications revoked.