CCNP ENCOR / CCNP ENCOR vs AWS SAA
CCNP ENCOR vs AWS SAA: Which Certification Fits Better?
CCNP ENCOR suits CCNA-level engineers moving into enterprise implementation or design. AWS SAA suits system administrators and network engineers moving into cloud roles. If you plan to earn both, start with AWS SAA: it is the more foundational of the two, and the concepts it builds carry directly into CCNP ENCOR. Tackling CCNP ENCOR first usually means re-learning fundamentals under exam pressure.
| Category | CCNP ENCOR | AWS SAA |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Professional | Intermediate |
| Vendor | Cisco | Amazon Web Services |
| Exam | 350-401 ENCOR | SAA-C03 |
| Exam format | Core proctored certification exam (multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, simlets) | Associate-level architecture exam (multiple-choice and multiple-response) |
| Renewal cycle | 3 years, renew with 80 Continuing Education credits or by passing qualifying Cisco exams again | 3 years, renew by passing the latest SAA exam or the Solutions Architect Professional exam, or by maintaining it on AWS Skill Builder |
| Recommended experience | Strong CCNA-level knowledge and 3-5 years implementing enterprise networking | 1+ year of hands-on AWS plus networking and Linux fundamentals |
| Training hours | 30 hours | 40 hours |
| Course price | $799 | $799 |
| Typical Canadian salary band | $85K-$140K CAD | $80K-$140K CAD |
| Best-fit roles | Senior Network Engineer | Cloud Architect |
| Recommended starting point | You should already be comfortable with CCNA-level networking concepts. | No formal prerequisite, but basic networking and Linux familiarity help a lot. |
When CCNP ENCOR is the better choice
- 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
When AWS SAA is the better choice
- System administrators and network engineers moving into cloud roles
- Students targeting cloud operations, architecture, or DevOps-adjacent jobs
- Professionals who need vendor-specific cloud credibility in the job market
What CCNP ENCOR training covers
- Enterprise architecture and routing design
- Virtualization and network assurance
- Security hardening and policy controls
- Automation, APIs, and programmability
What AWS SAA training covers
- Core AWS services and architecture patterns
- Identity, networking, and security controls
- Storage, compute, and resilience design
- Monitoring, automation, and cost awareness
Comparison FAQs
Which certification is better for beginners: CCNP ENCOR or AWS SAA?
AWS SAA is usually the easier starting point, while CCNP ENCOR makes more sense once you already have stronger fundamentals.
How do the CCNP ENCOR and AWS SAA exams compare?
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. AWS SAA is earned by passing one exam, Amazon Web Services SAA-C03. It has 65 questions in 130 minutes. The passing score is 720/1000 on Amazon Web Services's scaled scoring.
How should I choose between CCNP ENCOR and AWS SAA?
CCNP ENCOR suits CCNA-level engineers moving into enterprise implementation or design. AWS SAA suits system administrators and network engineers moving into cloud roles. Pick the one that matches the job you want next.
Which pays more: CCNP ENCOR or AWS SAA?
Typical Canadian roles tied to CCNP ENCOR run $85K-$140K CAD, while AWS SAA-related roles run $80K-$140K CAD. Actual pay depends far more on the specific role, your experience, and the city than on the certification alone.
Can I earn both CCNP ENCOR and AWS SAA?
If you plan to earn both, start with AWS SAA: it is the more foundational of the two, and the concepts it builds carry directly into CCNP ENCOR. Tackling CCNP ENCOR first usually means re-learning fundamentals under exam pressure.
Need a direct recommendation between CCNP ENCOR and AWS SAA?
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