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Cisco · Networking · Professional

Cisco ENCOR: Enterprise Network Core Technologies exam guide

Exam 350-401 ENCOR v1.2

ENCOR (350-401) is the core exam for CCNP Enterprise and the qualifying exam for the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure lab. Version 1.2, live since March 19, 2026, drops wireless and adds weight to automation, SD-WAN, zero trust and AI-assisted operations.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limit120 minutes
Passing scoreSee official page
Exam fee$400 USD
Valid for3 years
DeliveryProctored at a test center or online, scheduled through Cisco's certification portal

Format: Multiple choice (single and multiple answer), drag-and-drop, and simulation/testlet-style items; pass/fail. Fee note: Cisco Learning Credits accepted.

Who it's for

Network engineers with CCNA-level knowledge and a few years of enterprise routing and switching experience.

What the exam covers

Architecture15%
Virtualization10%
Infrastructure30%
Network Assurance10%
Security20%
Automation and AI15%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None.

Recommended: Three to five years of experience implementing enterprise networking solutions.

Keeping it active

Passing earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Core (valid 3 years). ENCOR is also a recertification option for CCNA, CCNP and CCIE holders: passing a core exam alone recertifies CCNP.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Enterprise design: tiered campus, fabric and high availability
  • Layer 2: STP/RSTP/MST, EtherChannel
  • Layer 3: OSPF, EIGRP and eBGP configuration and path selection
  • VRF-lite, GRE and IPsec tunnels
  • NetFlow, SPAN, IP SLA and syslog-based assurance
  • AAA, CoPP and infrastructure ACLs
  • Python, JSON, RESTCONF/NETCONF and Catalyst Center APIs

Job roles

Network EngineerSenior Network EngineerNetwork ArchitectEnterprise Infrastructure EngineerNetwork Consultant

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Weeks 1-2: Architecture and virtualization: campus design, SD-Access, SD-WAN concepts, VRF and tunnels.
  2. Weeks 3-5: Infrastructure (30%): lab OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, STP, EtherChannel, NAT and FHRP until you can troubleshoot them without notes.
  3. Week 6: Network assurance tools and Catalyst Center concepts.
  4. Week 7: Security: AAA, CoPP, ACLs, zero trust concepts.
  5. Week 8: Automation and AI: Python, REST APIs, EEM, Ansible; then two timed practice exams.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Wireless is no longer on the blueprint; study materials written for v1.1 waste time on WLC topics.
  • Expect BGP best-path questions and OSPF neighbor/LSA troubleshooting from show output.
  • Be able to read Python and JSON snippets and identify what an API call returns.
  • Know EEM applet syntax and when to use it.
  • You cannot return to previous items; read every exhibit before choosing.

Key terms for this exam

All 292 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much is the ENCOR exam?

US$400.

What changed in ENCOR v1.2?

Effective March 19, 2026, wireless content was removed (moved to CCNP Wireless) and automation, AI, SD-WAN and zero trust topics gained weight.

Does ENCOR give me CCNP?

Not alone. It earns the Enterprise Core Specialist; you need one concentration exam for CCNP Enterprise.

Does ENCOR qualify me for the CCIE lab?

Yes, it is the qualifying exam for the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure lab.

How long should I study for ENCOR?

Most working engineers need 8 to 12 weeks with daily lab time.

Official page: www.cisco.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.