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Cisco · Networking · Professional

Cisco SPCOR: Service Provider Network Core Technologies exam guide

Exam 350-501 SPCOR

SPCOR (350-501) is the core exam for CCNP Service Provider and the qualifying exam for the CCIE Service Provider lab. It covers SP architecture, services, networking, MPLS and segment routing, QoS, security, automation and assurance.

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

Service provider network engineers with several years on IOS XR/XE cores.

What the exam covers

Core Architecture—
Services—
Networking—
Quality of Service—
Security—
Automation and Assurance—

A dash means the vendor does not publish a weight for that domain.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None.

Recommended: Three to five years of experience implementing service provider solutions.

Keeping it active

Passing earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Service Provider Core (valid 3 years). SPCOR also recertifies CCNP/CCIE and qualifies for the CCIE SP lab.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • IS-IS and OSPF in SP cores
  • BGP for SP edge and route reflection
  • MPLS LDP, RSVP-TE and segment routing
  • L2VPN/L3VPN service concepts
  • SP QoS models
  • Control-plane and management-plane security
  • Model-driven telemetry and NETCONF/YANG

Job roles

Service Provider Network EngineerIP/MPLS EngineerBackbone EngineerNetwork Operations EngineerNetwork Architect

Where it fits in your path

Take before

Cisco CCNA

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Cisco SPCOR: Service Provider Network Core Technologies

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, IOS XR fundamentals, IS-IS.
  2. Weeks 3-4: BGP, MPLS and segment routing.
  3. Week 5: Services, QoS and security.
  4. Week 6: Automation and assurance; 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

  • Know IOS XR commit model and configuration hierarchy.
  • Segment routing and TI-LFA appear often.
  • Be able to compare LDP and SR label distribution.
  • Expect YANG/NETCONF questions.

Key terms for this exam

All 57 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much is SPCOR?

US$400.

Does SPCOR qualify for the CCIE SP lab?

Yes.

Does SPCOR alone give CCNP SP?

No; add SPRI, SPVI or SPCNI.

What is the passing score?

Cisco does not publish passing scores or question counts; the score needed varies by exam form and is reported as pass/fail with a section breakdown.

How long to study?

Usually 8 to 12 weeks.

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.