350-401 · ● Active · Professional · Cisco
Exam facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | USD $400 |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Questions | 95–110 mixed format (multiple choice, multiple response, scenario-based) |
| Passing | 825/1000 scaled score |
| Format | Multiple choice, multiple response, drag-and-drop, scenario-based practical questions |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE (onsite and online via OnVUE) |
| Languages | English |
| Valid | 3 years |
| Renewal | Continuing Education (CE) credits or pass a higher CCNP concentration exam |
| Prerequisites | CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) recommended; technical networking experience expected |
| Released | November 2019 (replaced CCNP legacy track) |
| Retiring | N/A (current and stable) |
Vendor source — Cisco CCNP Enterprise ↗
Official exam guide — 350-401 ENCOR Exam Information ↗
Exam objectives — 350-401 Exam Topics ↗
About
ENCOR (Enterprise Core) is the mandatory first exam for the CCNP Enterprise certification track. Launched in November 2019 as part of Cisco's modernized CCNP redesign, it validates broad expertise across enterprise networking domains: architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and automation. To earn CCNP Enterprise, candidates must pass ENCOR (350-401) plus one concentration exam (ENARSI routing, ENSDWI SD-WAN, ENSLD design, ENWLSD/ENWLSI wireless, or ENAUTO automation). ENCOR is designed for mid-to-senior network engineers transitioning into enterprise architecture or specialization roles.
Domain context — Networking
Enterprise network architecture, design, and operations across campus, WAN, data center, and cloud hybrid environments. Focus on infrastructure resilience, multivendor interoperability, and modern overlay technologies.
Read full deep dive — Cisco Networking Ecosystem →
Topics covered
Official exam blueprint (subject weights):
- Enterprise Architecture (15%) — Network design principles, modularity, high availability, disaster recovery, business continuity.
- Virtualization (10%) — Virtual switching, overlay networks (VXLAN), virtual routing and forwarding (VRF), container networking fundamentals.
- Infrastructure (30%) — Switching (VLANs, Spanning Tree, EtherChannel), routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP), MP-BGP, QoS, IPv6.
- Network Assurance (10%) — Monitoring, telemetry, NetFlow, Cisco DNA Center basics, troubleshooting methodologies.
- Security (20%) — Access control lists (ACLs), firewalling, VPN (IPsec, SSL), identity services (ISE), threat defense.
- Automation (15%) — APIs (REST, NETCONF/YANG), Python scripting, infrastructure-as-code, Ansible, Cisco DNA Center automation.
Source: Cisco 350-401 ENCOR Exam Topics ↗
Common skills at Networking · Professional
Shared technical competencies for enterprise networking professionals at CCNP level — not specific to ENCOR.
- Enterprise network design and optimization
- Advanced routing protocol configuration and troubleshooting
- High-availability and redundancy strategies
- IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and routing
- Access control and network segmentation
- WAN optimization and hybrid cloud connectivity
Recommended courses at Networking · Professional
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco Learning Network (Official) | CCNP Enterprise Intensive (live or self-paced) | Free (with Cisco account) | ↗ |
| CBT Nuggets | CCNP Enterprise ENCOR (Jeremy Cioara) | ~$280/year | ↗ |
| INE (Infosec) | CCNP Enterprise Core (instructed + all-access bundle) | ~$500–$900 | ↗ |
| Jeremy's IT Lab | CCNP Enterprise ENCOR (video + labs + flashcards) | ~$30–$50 | ↗ |
| Udemy | CCNP Enterprise ENCOR (various instructors, e.g., Neil Anderson) | ~$15–$50 | ↗ |
Course-selection rule: Each course must focus specifically on ENCOR (350-401), not generic Cisco or CCNP generalist content. The Cisco Learning Network official track is free and current; paid alternatives add depth and labs.
Practice exams
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boson ExSim-Max | ENCOR 350-401 Practice Exams (6 full exams) | ~$60 | ↗ |
| Pearson Test Prep | Official Cisco CCNP Enterprise ENCOR (integrated with study materials) | ~$80–$150 | ↗ |
| Cisco Learning Network | Official practice questions (limited set, free) | Free | ↗ |
Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | Year | ISBN | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCNP Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 Official Cert Guide | Brad Edgeworth | Pearson | 2020 | 978-0-13-577255-1 | ↗ |
| CCNP Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 Complete Study Guide | Todd Lammle | Sybex | 2020 | 978-1-119-62854-2 | ↗ |
Book rule: Both titles are current for ENCOR (released 2020, still relevant for 2026). The Pearson Official Cert Guide is the canonical vendor-aligned reference; Sybex provides a complementary study approach.
Typical job titles at Networking · Professional
Senior Network Engineer · Network Architect (Junior) · Senior Network Operations Engineer · Enterprise Network Engineer · Infrastructure Architect (Network Focus)
(Job titles drawn from current job postings listing CCNP Enterprise or 350-401 as required or preferred.)
Salary
| Region | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| USD | $120,000 – $160,000 annually | Glassdoor (Senior Network Engineer) ↗ · Robert Half Technology Salary Guide ↗ |
| ZAR | R540,000 – R780,000 annually | PayScale ZA (Senior Network Engineer) ↗ · CareerJunction (Networking roles) ↗ |
| GBP | £70,000 – £95,000 annually | IT Jobs Watch (Network Architect) ↗ · Hays Technology Salary Guide ↗ |
| EUR | €85,000 – €115,000 annually (DE/NL/FR average) | Payscale.com (Europe) ↗ |
| AUD | A$150,000 – A$195,000 annually | Seek Salary Guide ↗ |
Salary rule: Ranges reflect mid-to-senior network engineer and junior network architect positions commonly requiring CCNP Enterprise or equivalent. Variation reflects geography, employer size, and specialization depth. ZAR figures assume 2026 exchange rates (~17–18 ZAR/USD).
Skills validated
ENCOR-specific technologies and operational competencies:
- Cisco IOS XE, NX-OS platform operation and configuration
- OSPF, EIGRP, BGP routing protocol design and optimization
- VLAN and trunking; Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP, MSTP)
- EtherChannel and link aggregation
- IPv6 addressing, routing, and transition mechanisms
- Virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) and MPLS fundamentals
- VXLAN overlay networks and fabric switching
- QoS classification, marking, queuing, and shaping
- ACL-based network access control and filtering
- IPsec VPN and Cisco IOS tunnel modes
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) overview and integration
- NetFlow and telemetry collection
- Cisco DNA Center basics and network assurance tools
- REST APIs and YANG data models
- Python scripting for network automation
- Ansible and Infrastructure-as-Code approaches
Related certifications
- Stacks with: Cisco CCNP Enterprise Routing & Switching (ENARSI 300-410) ↗ · Cisco CCNP Enterprise SD-WAN (ENSDWI 300-415) ↗ · Cisco CCNP Enterprise Wireless (ENWLSD 300-420 / ENWLSI 300-425) ↗ · Cisco CCNP Enterprise Automation (ENAUTO 300-435) ↗ · Cisco CCNP Enterprise Design (ENSLD 300-420) ↗
- Prerequisite for: CCNP Enterprise title (requires ENCOR + 1 concentration exam); CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure or Wireless paths
- Replaces: Legacy CCNP (R/S, Security, Service Provider tracks unified under CCNP Enterprise in Nov 2019)
- Equivalents at this level: Juniper JNCIP (Juniper Certified Internet Professional) · CompTIA Advanced Security+ (vendor-neutral alternative)
- Vendor overview: Cisco Enterprise Networking Overview ↗
Sources
- Cisco CCNP Enterprise: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/certifications/expert/ccnp-enterprise.html
- 350-401 ENCOR Exam Information: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccnp-enterprise-encor-exam-topics
- 350-401 Exam Topics: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccnp-enterprise-encor-exam-topics
- Pearson CCNP Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 Official Cert Guide (Brad Edgeworth): https://www.pearsonitcertification.com/store/ccnp-enterprise-core-encor-350-401-official-cert-guide-9780135772553
- CCNP Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 Complete Study Guide (Todd Lammle): https://www.wiley.com/en-us/CCNP+Enterprise+Core+ENCOR+350+401+Complete+Study+Guide-p-9781119628546
- Boson ExSim-Max ENCOR: https://www.boson.com/practice-exam/cisco-350-401-encor-practice-exam
- CBT Nuggets CCNP Enterprise: https://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training/cisco-ccnp-enterprise
- INE CCNP Enterprise Core: https://www.ine.com/pages/ccnp-enterprise
- Jeremy's IT Lab: https://www.jeremysitlab.com
- Glassdoor Senior Network Engineer: https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-network-engineer-salary.htm
- Robert Half Technology Salary Guide: https://www.roberthalf.com/salary-guide
- IT Jobs Watch Network Architect: https://www.itjobswatch.co.uk
- Hays Technology Salary Guide: https://www.hays.co.uk
Last verified: 2026-05-01
Parent ecosystem: Cisco Networking Ecosystem
Parent domain: Networking
Vendor overview: Cisco Overview