Cisco relaunched CCNP Wireless on March 19, 2026 after retiring it in 2020. The new certification has its own dedicated core exam — 350-101 WLCOR — and is completely separate from CCNP Enterprise. CCIE Wireless also relaunched on the same date.
If you are a wireless engineer who spent years fitting your expertise into the CCNP Enterprise umbrella, there is now a dedicated credential that validates exactly what you do.
What Is CCNP Wireless 2026?
CCNP Wireless is Cisco’s professional-level certification for wireless networking specialists. It validates advanced knowledge and practical skills in designing, implementing, and managing modern enterprise wireless networks.
Launch date: March 19, 2026 Core exam: 350-101 WLCOR — Implementing and Operating Cisco Wireless Core Technologies Concentration exam: WLSD (design) or WLSI (implementation) Expert level: CCIE Wireless (WLCOR written exam plus 8-hour lab exam)
CCNP Wireless requires passing the WLCOR core exam plus one concentration exam. Passing the WLCOR core exam alone earns you the Cisco Certified Specialist — Wireless Core Technologies certification.
Why Did Cisco Bring Back CCNP Wireless?
Cisco originally had a standalone CCNP Wireless certification. They retired it in 2020 and folded wireless into CCNP Enterprise, reasoning that wireless was one component of a broader enterprise networking picture.
By 2026, that reasoning no longer held.
Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 have fundamentally changed wireless complexity. These are not incremental improvements. They require deep RF knowledge, sophisticated controller architecture, advanced security configuration, and AI-driven network management skills that simply did not exist when wireless was tucked into a corner of the enterprise exam.
Cisco Meraki cloud management has changed how enterprise wireless is deployed, monitored, and optimized. Managing a Meraki wireless environment at scale requires dedicated expertise.
IoT devices, remote work, and mobile-first operations have made wireless the primary network path for most users and devices in most enterprises. It is no longer secondary to wired networking. It is often the primary one.
Wireless engineers deserved their own credential. Professionals who spent their careers specializing in wireless networking were forced to validate their expertise through an exam that also tested routing, switching, and SD-WAN. CCNP Wireless gives them a direct, employer-recognizable credential that reflects what they actually do.
CCNP Wireless Exam Structure
Core Exam: 350-101 WLCOR
| Factor | Details |
| Exam code | 350-101 WLCOR |
| Exam name | Implementing and Operating Cisco Wireless Core Technologies |
| Version | v1.0 |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| First available | March 19, 2026 |
| Replaces | Wireless content previously in ENCOR 350-401 |
WLCOR Exam Domains and Weightings
| Domain | Weight | Topics |
| RF Fundamentals | ~15% | Radio frequency concepts, signal propagation, interference, antenna types |
| 802.11 Technology Fundamentals | ~10% | 802.11 standards including Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, frame types, association process |
| Wireless Network Operation | ~20% | WLAN architecture, controller deployment, FlexConnect, roaming, QoS |
| Client Connectivity Configuration | ~20% | 802.1X authentication, PSK, WPA3, guest access, BYOD, client troubleshooting |
| Wireless Monitoring and Management | ~15% | Cisco Catalyst Center, Meraki dashboard, assurance and analytics tools |
| Automation and AI | ~10% | Ansible, Python, Terraform for wireless, AI-powered network management |
| Advanced Wireless Features | ~10% | Location services, multicast, advanced security, IoT integration |
Notable emphasis on automation and AI. The WLCOR exam includes a dedicated automation and AI domain, reflecting Cisco’s expectation that wireless engineers in 2026 understand scripting, infrastructure-as-code principles, and AI-powered network management tools.
Concentration Exams
| Exam | Code | Focus |
| Wireless Network Design | WLSD 300-110 | RF planning, site surveys, design tools, controller architecture, capacity planning |
| Wireless Network Implementation | WLSI 300-120 | Deployment, configuration, advanced security, troubleshooting, optimization |
If you passed ENWLSD (300-425) or ENWLSI (300-430) within the past 3 years: Those results are recognized within their 3-year validity period and count as WLSD or WLSI concentration credit. You would still need to pass the new WLCOR core exam to earn CCNP Wireless.
What Changed Between the Old and New CCNP Wireless?
The original CCNP Wireless existed before 2020. The 2026 version is not a simple restoration. It is a completely redesigned track built around modern wireless technology.
| Factor | Old CCNP Wireless (pre-2020) | New CCNP Wireless (2026) |
| Core exam | Multiple older exams | Single WLCOR 350-101 |
| Wi-Fi standard coverage | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7 |
| Cloud management | Limited | Cisco Meraki fully integrated |
| Automation | Not covered | Dedicated domain — Ansible, Python, Terraform |
| AI content | Not covered | AI-powered network management included |
| CCIE Wireless lab | Older hardware focus | Includes Meraki, Wi-Fi 6/7, AI tools |
| Relationship to CCNP Enterprise | Separate | Now permanently separate |
The 2026 CCNP Wireless is not a revival. It is a new certification built for the wireless engineering reality of 2026.
What Happened to Wireless in CCNP Enterprise?
On March 19, 2026 — the same day CCNP Wireless launched — all wireless content was removed from the CCNP Enterprise core exam (ENCOR).
ENCOR moved from v1.1 to v1.2. The v1.2 update removed all of the following from ENCOR:
- RF fundamentals
- WLAN configuration
- Wireless security
- Cisco Meraki wireless content
- 802.11 standards
This content migrated entirely to the new WLCOR exam.
What this means for CCNP Enterprise candidates: If you were studying for ENCOR and your study materials covered wireless topics, those topics will not appear on the current v1.2 exam. Update your study plan to remove wireless content and focus on the expanded SD-WAN, automation, zero trust, and AI-driven network operations content that replaced it.
What this means for wireless engineers: If you were pursuing CCNP Enterprise specifically for the wireless concentration, the new CCNP Wireless track is a better fit for your career. You now have a dedicated credential rather than a shared one.
CCNP Enterprise and CCNP Wireless are explicitly designed to be complementary. You can pursue both. But they are now separate paths, and most professionals will choose the one that best matches their role.
CCIE Wireless 2026
CCIE Wireless also relaunched on March 19, 2026. It is now the highest-level wireless certification available from Cisco.
Requirements:
- Pass the WLCOR core exam (350-101)
- Pass the CCIE Wireless expert-level lab exam (8 hours)
What the CCIE Wireless lab covers:
- Plan, design, implement, operate, and optimize complex wireless networks throughout the technology lifecycle
- Cisco Meraki — cloud management at expert level
- Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 at expert depth
- Advanced wireless security, location services, automation, and AI integration
Recommended experience: Cisco recommends 5 to 7 years of experience designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing enterprise wireless technologies before attempting CCIE Wireless.
CCIE Wireless holders are among the rarest certified professionals in enterprise networking. The combination of depth required and the eight-hour practical lab format means the credential carries significant weight with enterprise employers and service providers.
Who Should Pursue CCNP Wireless?
CCNP Wireless is the right certification for:
Dedicated wireless engineers and specialists. If your primary job function revolves around designing, deploying, and managing enterprise wireless networks, CCNP Wireless directly validates your core expertise. You no longer need to study routing, switching, and SD-WAN to prove your wireless skills.
Network engineers with a wireless specialization. If you are a generalist network engineer who has developed significant wireless depth over your career, CCNP Wireless formalizes that specialization in a way that CCNP Enterprise’s wireless concentration never fully did.
Professionals currently pursuing CCNP Enterprise for wireless reasons. If the wireless content was your primary motivation for the Enterprise track, the dedicated CCNP Wireless path is now the better strategic choice. It validates wireless expertise more completely and more credibly.
Candidates who passed ENWLSD or ENWLSI. If you passed these concentration exams within the past three years, you get credit toward CCNP Wireless. You still need WLCOR, but your concentration work is recognized.
CCNP Wireless is NOT the right next step for:
Network engineers with no wireless specialization who want CCNP. If your role is primarily routing, switching, and enterprise infrastructure, CCNP Enterprise remains the right path. CCNP Wireless is a specialization track, not a generalist credential.
Entry-level IT professionals. CCNP Wireless targets professionals with solid wireless fundamentals. Cisco recommends starting with the Understanding Cisco Wireless Foundations (WLFNDU) course before attempting the CCNP track. Build your foundation before pursuing the professional level.
How Does CCNP Wireless Fit Into Cisco’s Career Hierarchy?
| Level | Certification | Path |
| Entry | CCST Networking | Foundation |
| Associate | CCNA 200-301 | Recommended before CCNP |
| Professional | CCNP Wireless | WLCOR + WLSD or WLSI |
| Specialist | Cisco Certified Specialist — Wireless Core Technologies | WLCOR alone |
| Expert | CCIE Wireless | WLCOR written + 8-hour lab |
CCNP Wireless sits alongside CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, CCNP Data Center, CCNP Collaboration, CCNP Service Provider, CCNP Automation, and CCNP Cybersecurity as a professional-level certification. All CCNP credentials are equivalent in level. The differentiation is specialization.
How to Prepare for CCNP Wireless in 2026
Step 1: Build strong RF fundamentals first. RF Fundamentals and 802.11 Technology Fundamentals together account for approximately 25 percent of the WLCOR exam. These topics are foundational to everything else. The Cisco WLFNDU (Wireless Foundations) course is the recommended starting point. The CWNP CWNA certification is also widely respected as RF and wireless fundamentals preparation.
Step 2: Download the official WLCOR exam blueprint. The 350-101 WLCOR exam blueprint is available on the Cisco Learning Network. This is your definitive study guide. Every topic you study should map directly to a blueprint item.
Step 3: Get hands-on with Cisco Catalyst Center and Meraki. These are the two primary wireless management platforms covered in the exam. Reading about them is not sufficient. Use Cisco DevNet Sandbox for free access to lab environments where you can practice configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting wireless networks through both platforms.
Step 4: Study the automation and AI domain deliberately. Many wireless engineers who have deep RF and implementation knowledge will find the automation domain unfamiliar. Study Ansible for network configuration, basic Python scripting for wireless automation tasks, and how AI-powered tools like Cisco AI Network Analytics work in wireless contexts.
Step 5: Choose your concentration exam based on your role. WLSD (design) is best for professionals involved in wireless planning, site surveys, and architecture. WLSI (implementation) is best for professionals focused on deployment, configuration, and troubleshooting. If you passed ENWLSD or ENWLSI within the past three years, verify with Cisco whether your results transfer before registering for the concentration exam.
Step 6: Use current practice materials. WLCOR is a brand new exam with no legacy study materials to rely on. Use materials built specifically for the 350-101 WLCOR blueprint. Our Cisco exam preparation materials cover current Cisco certification exams.
Is CCNP Wireless Worth It in 2026?
Yes — specifically for wireless engineers and wireless specialists.
The case for pursuing it:
Wireless has become the primary network access method for most enterprise users and devices. Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 have created genuine complexity that requires deep specialized knowledge. Cisco Meraki cloud management has become the dominant enterprise wireless platform. IoT deployment has added wireless management challenges that did not exist five years ago.
Wireless engineers who hold CCNP Wireless now have a credential that directly reflects their expertise rather than one that buries their specialization inside a broader enterprise networking certification. The credential is recognizable, clearly named, and tells employers exactly what a candidate knows how to do.
Salary expectations for wireless specialists: Enterprise wireless engineers with CCNP Wireless-level expertise typically earn between $85,000 and $130,000 in the United States depending on experience, employer size, and market. CCIE Wireless holders in senior architect and consulting roles regularly earn $140,000 to $190,000 or more.
The case for waiting: If your role is not primarily wireless, this is a specialization credential and not a generalist one. For networking professionals whose work spans routing, switching, security, and wireless, CCNP Enterprise remains the stronger general credential. For a broader view of how CCNP Wireless fits alongside other Cisco certification paths, our Cisco certification changes guide covers the full 2026 Cisco certification landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions About CCNP Wireless 2026
When did CCNP Wireless relaunch?
CCNP Wireless relaunched on March 19, 2026. The first date to test for the new wireless exams was March 19, 2026.
What is the core exam for CCNP Wireless?
The core exam is 350-101 WLCOR — Implementing and Operating Cisco Wireless Core Technologies v1.0. This is a 120-minute exam that replaced wireless content previously covered in the CCNP Enterprise ENCOR exam.
What happened to wireless content in CCNP Enterprise?
All wireless content was removed from the CCNP Enterprise ENCOR exam on March 19, 2026 when it updated to v1.2. That content migrated to the new WLCOR exam in the dedicated CCNP Wireless track.
Do I need CCNA before CCNP Wireless?
Cisco does not formally require CCNA as a prerequisite for CCNP Wireless. However, Cisco recommends completing the Understanding Cisco Wireless Foundations (WLFNDU) course before attempting the CCNP track and having solid wireless networking fundamentals before sitting for WLCOR.
Can I use my old ENWLSD or ENWLSI exam credit toward CCNP Wireless?
Yes. Candidates who passed 300-425 ENWLSD or 300-430 ENWLSI within the past 3 years can use those results as concentration credit for CCNP Wireless. You still need to pass the new WLCOR core exam.
Is CCNP Wireless the same as CCNP Enterprise with a wireless concentration?
No. CCNP Wireless is now a completely separate certification track from CCNP Enterprise. They are complementary and you can pursue both, but they are not the same credential. CCNP Enterprise no longer covers wireless content at all as of March 19, 2026.
What does CCIE Wireless require?
CCIE Wireless requires passing the WLCOR core exam plus an 8-hour expert practical lab exam. The lab exam covers planning, designing, implementing, operating, and optimizing complex wireless networks including Cisco Meraki, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 7. Cisco recommends 5 to 7 years of wireless engineering experience before attempting CCIE Wireless.
What technologies does CCNP Wireless cover?
CCNP Wireless covers RF fundamentals, 802.11 standards including Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7, wireless network architecture and operation, client connectivity including 802.1X and WPA3, Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco Meraki, wireless security, location services, automation with Ansible and Python, and AI-powered wireless network management.
Why did Cisco retire CCNP Wireless in 2020 and bring it back in 2026?
In 2020, wireless was considered one component of enterprise networking and merging it into CCNP Enterprise made sense. By 2026, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7, Cisco Meraki cloud management, and IoT-driven wireless complexity had grown to a point where wireless engineering deserved its own dedicated certification track. The complexity and strategic importance of wireless simply outgrew the space it had within CCNP Enterprise.
Is there an entry-level Cisco wireless certification?
Yes. Cisco offers the Understanding Cisco Wireless Foundations (WLFNDU) course as the recommended starting point. The CCST Networking certification also covers foundational networking concepts relevant to wireless. CCNA 200-301 includes some wireless fundamentals content.
