Certifications / CCNP ENCOR guide
CCNP ENCOR Certification Guide for Canada & US Students
The CCNP ENCOR certification (Cisco 350-401) is the core enterprise networking credential for engineers who already understand routing and switching and want to operate at a more senior level, the qualifying exam for every CCNP Enterprise concentration and a stepping stone toward CCIE Enterprise. CISNET's CCNP ENCOR training gives you live instruction, guided labs and a direct path into roles that pay $85K-$140K CADin CISNET's career data.
Reviewed by Mani Poopal· Lead Networking Instructor· Updated October 2026Who CCNP ENCOR is for
- CCNA-level engineers moving into enterprise implementation or design
- Network administrators preparing for senior engineer responsibilities
- Students planning a CCIE Enterprise or advanced Cisco track
What you will cover
- Introduction ENCOR, Routing, Switching and GNS3 LAB software.
GNS3 LAB software introduction • IPv4 vs IPv6 differences
- Advanced Switching and LAB
MAC address vs IP Address • VLAN, VTP, Trunking(DTP, ISL, 802.1Q)
- Routing Protocols introduction & LAB
OSPF Routing concepts(Area's, Router Type, LSA's) • EIGRP Routing Concetps(ASN#, DUAL alogoritm)
- Multicast Routing and IPv6
Unicast, Broadcast vs Multicast. • Multicast PIM-Modes(sparse, Dense and sparce-Dense)
- QOS, IP Services and Over-lay tunnels
Introduction to QOS(TOS byte, IP Precedense, DSCP) • Traffic Classification & Marking
- LAN, WAN, SD-ACCESS & SD-WAN
Introduction to LAN and WAN • SD-ACCESS(L2-SDN) Fabric introduction
“The candidates who pass on the first attempt are the ones who spend more time in the lab than in the slides. Configure it, break it, fix it. That is what the exam actually measures.”
CCNP ENCOR certification quick facts
CCNP ENCOR exam structure, cost and renewal, checked on Cisco's own pages on October 27, 2026.
| Issuing body | Cisco |
|---|---|
| Exam code | 350-401 ENCOR |
| Format | Core proctored certification exam (multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, simlets) |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE delivery based on vendor availability |
| Question count | Not published by Cisco |
| Time limit | 120 minutes |
| Passing score | Pass/Fail (Cisco does not publish the cut score) |
| Exam fee | US$400 |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Renewal | 3 years, renew with 80 Continuing Education credits or by passing qualifying Cisco exams again |
| Blueprint last updated | March 19, 2026 |
Prerequisites
None formal. Cisco recommends 3-5 years of enterprise networking implementation experience.
What the 350-401 ENCOR exam covers
- ›Architecture (SD-Access, SD-WAN, on-prem/cloud): 15%
- ›Virtualization (hypervisors, virtual switching): 10%
- ›Infrastructure (Layer 2/3, IP services): 30%
- ›Network Assurance (telemetry, troubleshooting): 10%
- ›Security (device hardening, NAC, AAA): 20%
- ›Automation and Artificial Intelligence (Python, REST APIs, controllers): 15%
How to get CCNP ENCOR certified
- 1
Confirm you meet the CCNP ENCOR prerequisites
None formal. Cisco recommends 3-5 years of enterprise networking implementation experience. Most candidates also benefit from foundational labs and self-study before formal training.
- 2
Enrol in CISNET's live CCNP ENCOR bootcamp
CISNET delivers CCNP ENCOR as a 30-hour live, instructor-led online program.
- 3
Practise until your weak domains are gone
Between sessions, work exam-style questions and go back over every domain you miss. The exam rewards applied judgement, not memorisation.
- 4
Sit the 350-401 ENCOR exam
Schedule the Cisco 350-401 ENCOR exam via Pearson VUE (US$400). Expect a vendor-set number of questions in 120 minutes.
- 5
Maintain your CCNP ENCOR certification
3 years, renew with 80 Continuing Education credits or by passing qualifying Cisco exams again. Track continuing-education credits early so renewal is paperwork, not a scramble.
Sources and last verified
Every exam fact on this page (fee, length, scoring, requirements and renewal) was checked on Cisco's own pages on October 27, 2026. Vendors change fees and policies, so confirm them on these pages before you book.
What you need before you start
Most students ask the wrong question about CCNP ENCOR requirements. The formal barrier is usually low; the practical one is whether you can keep a steady lab habit between sessions.
Formal and practical requirements
- You should already be comfortable with CCNA-level networking concepts.
- Hands-on lab experience is strongly recommended before attempting the exam.
- This certification is best for students with active networking job exposure or serious home-lab discipline.
What CISNET expects you to bring
- ›CCNA certification recommended
Before you book the exam
Students usually lose time when they treat the exam as a memorization project. Work the blueprint, but aim for sharper judgment, repeatable lab habits, and a study pace you can sustain.
Readiness checklist
- I can commit consistent weekly study time alongside the live CCNP ENCOR sessions.
- I am comfortable working through guided labs rather than only reading.
- I know why CCNP ENCOR fits the role I want next.
CCNP ENCOR jobs and salary paths
Use CCNP ENCOR to position yourself for roles that align with networking work in Canada.
Senior Network Engineer
$85,000 - $120,000
High
Network Architect
$100,000 - $140,000
Medium
Free CCNP ENCOR tools
No signup, no email required. Use them while you study or before you decide whether CCNP ENCOR is the right next step.
How to prepare effectively
- Treat ENCOR as an engineering exam, not an entry-level overview.
- Spend extra lab time on routing, SD-WAN, and automation topics.
- Tie every topic back to real troubleshooting scenarios and design decisions.
Explore this certification cluster
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Popular training locations
CISNET teaches CCNP ENCOR online live, so students can join from major Canadian markets without waiting for a city-specific classroom schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CCNP ENCOR certification?
The CCNP ENCOR certification (Cisco 350-401) is the core enterprise networking credential for engineers who already understand routing and switching and want to operate at a more senior level, the qualifying exam for every CCNP Enterprise concentration and a stepping stone toward CCIE Enterprise. CISNET teaches it as a 30-hour live online course.
How much does the CCNP ENCOR certification cost?
There are two costs. The 350-401 ENCOR exam is US$400, paid to Cisco when you book. CISNET's live online CCNP ENCOR course is $799 CAD for 30 hours of instructor-led classes.
How long does it take to get the CCNP ENCOR certification?
Most candidates are exam-ready in 8 to 12 weeks: CISNET's live CCNP ENCOR course runs 30 instructor-led hours, followed by 2 to 4 weeks of focused review. Career changers starting from zero should plan another 4 weeks for the fundamentals.
Is the CCNP ENCOR certification worth it in Canada?
For most people aiming at senior network engineer or network architect roles, yes. CISNET's Canadian career data puts those roles at $85K-$140K CAD. CCNP ENCOR pays off most when it closes the skill gap between your current job and the one you want next.
Does CISNET deliver CCNP ENCOR training online in Canada?
Yes. Every CCNP ENCOR cohort runs live online from Mississauga, Ontario, and students join from across Canada and the United States. There is no classroom to attend.
What exam do I take for CCNP ENCOR?
CCNP ENCOR is earned by passing one exam, Cisco 350-401 ENCOR. It runs 120 minutes. The question count is not published by Cisco. Results are pass or fail, and Cisco does not publish the cut score.
Do I need experience before taking CCNP ENCOR?
No. CCNP ENCOR has no formal prerequisites. Cisco recommends 3-5 years of enterprise networking implementation experience.
What is the difference between CCNA and CCNP ENCOR?
CCNA covers networking fundamentals while CCNP ENCOR (350-401) covers advanced enterprise networking, dual-stack architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and automation at scale.
Do I need CCNA before taking CCNP ENCOR?
Cisco recommends 3-5 years of networking experience and a CCNA certification before attempting CCNP ENCOR. Our course assumes solid CCNA-level knowledge.
Need help deciding if CCNP ENCOR is the right next step?
Talk to CISNET and get a practical recommendation based on your current experience and target role.
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