Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP®) validates the ability to plan, implement, verify and troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks and work collaboratively with specialists on advanced security, voice, wireless and video solutions. The CCNP certification is appropriate for those with at least one year of networking experience who are ready to advance their skills and work independently on complex network solutions. Those who achieve CCNP have demonstrated the skills required in enterprise roles such as network technician, support engineer, systems engineer or network engineer.

CCNP syllabus

Until July 31, 2010 candidates have four different paths to CCNP certification:
see below for exams and recommended training

1. Path 1: Candidates already in the process of certifying may use their passing scores on ISCW and ONT. This path is not recommended for candidates who have not yet attempted ISCW or ONT.
2. Path 2: Same as Path 1, except that the single COMP exam is used instead of the individual BSCI and BCMSN. Again, this path is not recommended for candidates who have not yet attempted ISCW or ONT.
3. Path 3: Candidates substitute the new TSHOOT exam for ISCW and ONT, passing three exams to complete CCNP certification. This is the recommended path for candidates who have not yet taken the ISCW or ONT courses or exams and will become the only available path after July 31,2010.
4. Path 4: This is the recommended path for candidates who have passed the COMP exam but not ISCW or ONT. This path can also be used by candidates who will be ready to take (and pass) the COMP exam before July 31, 2010. Please note that candidates who fail an exam attempt must wait five (5) calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before they may retest for the same exam.

Valid CCNA certification or any CCIE Certification can act as a pre-requisite.

Recommended training for this certification

Path 1:

• 642-901 BSCI *
  OR
  642-902 ROUTE
• 642-812 BCMSN *
  OR
  642-813 SWITCH
• 642-825 ISCW *
• 642-845 ONT *

Path 2:

• 642-892 Composite *
  
  
• 642-825 ISCW *
• 642-845 ONT *

Path 3:

• 642-901 BSCI *
  OR
  642-902 ROUTE
• 642-812 BCMSN *
  OR
  642-813 SWITCH
• 642-832 TSHOOT

Path 4:

• 642-892 Composite *
  
  
• 642-832 TSHOOT

* Last day to test: July 31, 2010

Cisco professional level certifications (CCNP, CCNP Wireless, CCDP, CCSP, CCVP, and CCIP) are valid for three years. To recertify, pass any 642 exam that is part of the professional level curriculum or any CCIE/CCDE written exam before the certification expiration date.

Achieving or recertifying any of the certifications above automatically extends your active Associate and Professional level certification(s) up to the point of expiration of the last certification achieved. For more information, access the Cisco About Recertification page.