Nearly all network engineers take the Cisco Associated Network Associate, or CCNA, certification exam, which is the entry-level certification for network engineers. Candidates can comprehend the fundamentals of networking with the help of this certification. Engineers benefit from this in terms of advancing their networking careers. Following CCNA, a small or medium-sized network can be managed. Any other network courses must have taken CCNA as a prerequisite.

Engineers can learn more about the network environment with Cisco Certified Network Professionals or CCNP and thus, recommended CCNP Certification. Network engineering and specialist are among the available professions.

CCNA VS CCNP: Key Difference

• To put it briefly, CCNA is an associate-level certification that tests for both Certifications. The depth of a person’s understanding of switching and routing concepts. Thus, you can check CCNA here.
• On the other hand, CCNP is a Certification that requires considerably more severe knowledge and is more mature and advanced. The fundamentals of LAN and WAN, how they interact must be thoroughly understood.
• It makes it clear that there are no prerequisites for the CCNA Certification, but if you want to take the CCNP exam, you must pass both the CCNA and CCIE exams (in any of the tracks).
• A person can earn a CCNA Certification by passing two examinations (depending on the program’s subject matter), but a CCNP certification requires at least four exams to get passed.

When to choose CCNA over CCNP depends on depth or breadth.

The CCNA certification, which is by far the most popular Cisco certification, is where many people decide to start their certification path at the associate level. That makes complete sense, especially if you want a networking certification on your resume to get an entry-level IT job. You can choose the CCNA as your first Cisco certification even if you have prior experience in the field.

The CCNP certification that is most relevant to your job duties is an alternative if you have some prior experience working in networking. It gets that you previously completed your CCNA a few years ago if it applies to you. It means that generally always, it begins with CCNA.

Exam difficulty levels for the CCNA and CCNP

Compared to the professional-level CCNP, the associate-level CCNA is simpler to obtain. To become a CCNA, you only need to pass one exam, as fought to the two exams to become a CCNP. Additionally, CCNP tests go considerably more in-depth into sophisticated topics.

Though technically not an entry-level qualification, keep in mind that CCNA. An associate-level certification it is. CCT is the entry-level Cisco certification (Cisco Certified Technician). It is similarly critical due to the variety of technologies covered by CCNA. For the CCNA exam, you must be well-prepared to prevent surprises and to retake the test.

CCNA vs. CCNP: Career Difference

After reading the information in the sections above, it should be rather evident what the CCNA and CCNP certifications entail. Based on them, there is a clear distinction in the prospects you would get if you completed these Certifications. In plainer terms, obtaining these Certifications will also lead to a different career path.

A CCNA would put you in entry-level jobs like network technician, help desk engineer, first or second-line support engineer, or network support engineer. Getting a CCNP to a CCNA will further your career and give you work as a network specialist, systems engineer, or third line of support.