Cisco announced this week that it is expanding its certification portfolio with the launch of two dedicated wireless credentials, the CCNP Wireless and the CCIE Wireless, both set to debut in March 2026. The new certifications are designed to help networking professionals build practical skills to design, deploy, and manage advanced wireless networks, validating expertise in in Wi-Fi 6/7, Meraki, and other areas, Cisco says.
Cisco is introducing its new wireless certification track in response to growing demand for specialized wireless expertise, according to the company. The new Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Wireless and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Enterprise (CCIE) Wireless certifications will replace the CCNP Enterprise wireless concentration offered by Cisco; CCNP Enterprise will continue to focus on core networking domains and routing, switching, SD-WAN, security, automation, cloud connectivity, and virtualization.
“Cisco has deep roots in Wi-Fi technologies, and so does our wireless community…. That’s why I’m excited to announce our wireless certification updates and dedicated Cisco wireless certification track that better aligns to your wireless technologies and the challenges you face in your day-to-day work, and beyond—all launching in March 2026,” wrote Andrew Richter, technical education developer at Cisco, in a blog discussing the certification news.
CCNP Wireless
The CCNP Wireless will validate advanced knowledge and practical skills in designing, implementing, and managing wireless networks. Wireless technologies, such as radio frequency (RF) fundamentals, 802.11 standards, client connectivity, wireless monitoring, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI), will be covered in the program.
Cisco recommends that professionals start with its Understanding Cisco Wireless Foundations (WLFNDU) before attempting the CCNP Wireless track. Professionals experienced in wireless technologies can determine if they have the foundational knowledge to move toward the professional-level certification.
“It also tests your ability to deploy advanced solutions such as FlexConnect, quality of service, Multicast, enhanced security, and location services. You’ll also be given the opportunity to demonstrate your expertise in wireless network design—from site surveys to high availability and mobility,” the blog reads. The CCNP Wireless certification requires candidates to pass the core exam and one wireless concentration exam.
CCIE Wireless
The CCIE Wireless certification validates networking professionals’ ability to “maximize the potential of any enterprise wireless solution from designing and deploying to operating and optimizing,” Cisco says.
“Our Cisco CCIE Wireless certification also reflects the growth and evolution of wireless technologies. It includes Cisco’s cloud-based network management solution, Meraki, and platform-agnostic technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7,” Richter said in his blog.
While there are no formal prerequisites for this certification, candidates are recommended to have five to seven years of experience with designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing enterprise wireless technologies before taking the exam. Candidates must pass the core exam as well as a hands-on lab exam.
With the two wireless-specific certifications, the CCNP Enterprise core exam will no longer cover wireless concepts, and professionals will not need to validate their skills in wireless technologies to acquire the CCNP Enterprise certification. Cisco notes the wireless and enterprise certifications are complementary, and professional can choose to validate their skills with both.
The first test date for the CCNP Wireless and CCIE Wireless certifications is scheduled for March 19, 2026. Cisco offers exam preparation materials via its learning network.
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