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Network Engineer Jobs — Best Certifications & How to Become One

Employers hiring network engineers most often ask for N10-009, 200-301 and 350-401 certifications. This page shows what the job involves, the certification path in the right order, and every certification we cover for it — each with a free practice test.

What Does a Network Engineer Do?

Network engineers design, build and troubleshoot the networks everything else runs on — routers, switches, firewalls, wireless, and the protocols that tie them together. When the network stops, the business stops, which is why networking remains one of IT's most durable skills.

CCNA is the benchmark credential: routing, switching, IP services and security fundamentals in one exam. Network+ is the vendor-neutral on-ramp, and CCNP ENCOR is the step up for experienced engineers.

The Network Engineer Certification Path

START OPTION
N10-009
CompTIA Network+
Free Practice Test
→
THE BENCHMARK
200-301
Cisco CCNA
Free Practice Test
→
STEP UP
350-401
Cisco CCNP Enterprise Core (ENCOR)
Free Practice Test
View all 78 certifications →

All Network Engineer Certifications

Open any of them to see its exams and start a free practice test on Study4Pass.
SRA — Alcatel-Lucent Service Routing Architect (SRA)10 exams → MRP — Alcatel-Lucent Mobile Routing Professional (MRP)6 exams → 3RP — Alcatel-Lucent Triple Play Routing Professional (3RP)5 exams → NRS II — Alcatel-Lucent Network Routing Specialist II (NRS II)4 exams → CWNA — Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)2 exams → JNCIP-SP — Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional SP (JNCIP-SP)2 exams → CompTIA Network+ — CompTIA Network+ Certification (CompTIA Network+)2 exams → JNCDA — Juniper Networks Certified Design Associate (JNCDA) Practice test → CCENT — Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) Practice test → CWDP — Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP) Practice test → CWNT — Certified Wireless Instructor (CWNT) Practice test → CCA-N — Citrix Certified Associate - Networking (CCA-N) Practice test → JNCIS-SP — Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist SP (JNCIS-SP) Practice test → CCP-N — Citrix Certified Professional - Networking (CCP-N) Practice test → CWTS — Certified Wireless Technology Specialist (CWTS) Practice test → JNCIP-ENT — Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional ENT (JNCIP-ENT) Practice test → HCNP-R&S — Huawei Certified Network Professional Routing & Switching (HCNP-R&S) Practice test → JNCIP-SEC — Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional SEC (JNCIP-SEC) Practice test → RCSA-NPM — Riverbed Certified Solutions Associate - Network Performance Management (RCSA-NPM) Practice test → NRS I — Alcatel-Lucent Network Routing Specialist I (NRS I) Practice test → RCSP-NPM — Riverbed Certified Solutions Professional - Network Performance Management (RCSP-NPM) Practice test → CCNP Routing and Switching — Cisco Certified Network Professional Routing and Switching (CCNP Routing and Switching) Practice test → Networking — Networking (Networking)9 exams → CCNP Enterprise — CCNP Enterprise (CCNP Enterprise)9 exams → CCNP Collaboration — CCNP Collaboration (CCNP Collaboration)7 exams → CCNP Service Provider — CCNP Service Provider (CCNP Service Provider)5 exams → Nokia Networks Certification — Nokia Networks Certification (Nokia Networks Certification)4 exams → Wireless LAN — Wireless LAN (Wireless LAN)4 exams → Paloalto Networks Certification — Paloalto Networks Certification (Paloalto Networks Certification)4 exams → Nokia Network Routing Specialist II (NRS II) — Nokia Network Routing Specialist II (NRS II) (Nokia Network Routing Specialist II (NRS II))3 exams → HP ASE - FlexNetwork Architect V2 — HP ASE - FlexNetwork Architect V2 (HP ASE - FlexNetwork Architect V2)3 exams → HP ASE - FlexNetwork Integrator V1 — HP ASE - FlexNetwork Integrator V1 (HP ASE - FlexNetwork Integrator V1)3 exams → HCIA-5G-RAN — HCIA-5G-RAN (HCIA-5G-RAN)2 exams → Nokia Service Routing Architect — Nokia Service Routing Architect (Nokia Service Routing Architect)2 exams → Network Appliance Certifications — Network Appliance Certifications (Network Appliance Certifications)2 exams → HCIA-LTE — HCIA-LTE (HCIA-LTE)2 exams → HCPA-IP Network — HCPA-IP Network (HCPA-IP Network)2 exams → Huawei Certified Network Professional HCNP — Huawei Certified Network Professional HCNP (Huawei Certified Network Professional HCNP)2 exams → Nokia Bell Labs 5G Certification - Associate — Nokia Bell Labs 5G Certification - Associate (Nokia Bell Labs 5G Certification - Associate)2 exams → CCT Routing and Switching — CCT Routing and Switching (CCT Routing and Switching)2 exams →

How Study4Pass Helps You Prepare

The core of your preparation is a real question bank: exam-style questions organised by domain, so you can see exactly which topics are costing you marks. On top of that, every question carries an Ask AI panel — send the question to ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude or Copilot for a deeper explanation. AI is for understanding the concept; the core preparation stays the real practice questions.

Network Engineer Certification — FAQs

Which certification should I take first for network engineer jobs?

If you are brand new, Network+ (N10-009) gives you vendor-neutral foundations. If you can, go straight to CCNA (200-301) — it is the benchmark employers screen for.

Do I need experience before I start?

CCNA has no formal prerequisites. Basic computer and networking literacy helps, but Cisco does not require prior certification.

How long does preparation take?

It depends on your starting point and how many hours a week you study. Fundamentals exams usually take a few weeks of steady study; associate and professional exams take longer because they test hands-on scenarios. Practising by domain — and reviewing every explanation — matters more than total hours.

Are the practice tests on Study4Pass free?

Yes. Every exam page on Study4Pass has a free practice test you can start without paying, so you can check your level before you commit to a study plan.

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