Cisco Announces a Dedicated Wireless Certification Track
Cisco is finally giving wireless networking its own lane. In March 2026, Cisco will roll out a dedicated certification track: CCNP Wireless and CCIE Wireless.
For years, Wi-Fi was squeezed into the enterprise track, but that’s changing. Now, IT professionals who want to specialize in wireless technologies won’t have to treat it like a side subject. They’ll have a direct path.
Why Cisco is Breaking Wireless Out
Wireless has long lived under CCNP Enterprise, which made sense a decade ago. Back then, Wi-Fi was just one piece of the puzzle. But that’s no longer true.
Today, businesses rely on wireless technologies, including remote workers, IoT devices, and even core operations. In short, Wi-Fi has become the backbone, not the accessory.
Cisco says the new track reflects that reality. With it, engineers can:
- Prove skills in designing and managing Wi-Fi networks
- Stay current with Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 as it rolls out
- Gain deeper experience with cloud tools like Meraki
Instead of wireless being scattered across a handful of topics, it’s being placed front and center.
What CCNP Wireless Looks Like
At the heart of CCNP Wireless is the new 350-101 WLCOR (Wireless Core) exam. Think of it as the wireless counterpart of ENCOR.
WLCOR will test skills in the following areas:
- RF design and controller-based networking
- Deployment and troubleshooting of enterprise Wi-Fi
- Security and performance tuning
- Automation with tools such as Ansible, Python, and Terraform.
One notable change is Cisco’s emphasis on automation. Many IT teams already heavily rely on scripting and config management, and now, those skills are becoming essential in the wireless space, too.
The CCIE Wireless Refresh
Cisco is also reworking the expert-level certification. The new CCIE Wireless will go beyond foundations and cover the following:
- Optimizing Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7
- Troubleshooting massive deployments
- Using Meraki in hybrid cloud setups
- Enterprise-level automation
This effectively gives wireless engineers their own specialist track, similar to how CCIE Security and CCIE Data Center function.
What About CCNP Enterprise
With wireless branching off, CCNP Enterprise will focus on routing, switching, SD-WAN, and other enterprise-core technologies. For IT professionals whose jobs revolve around wireless, the new certifications are the better long-term bet.
That said, if your work is mixed or if you’re still on the fence, finishing CCNP Enterprise still makes sense. But it looks like wireless certifications will quickly become the go-to for Wi-Fi careers.
How to Prepare Before Launch
March 2026 may feel like it’s a ways off, but Cisco exams are no small feat. Starting early is smart.
What to focus on
- Wireless fundamentals
- Scripting with Python or Ansible
- Cloud networking with Meraki
CBT Nuggets already has training that lines up with these skills:
Why It Matters
Wi-Fi has moved from “nice to have” to “absolutely critical.” It keeps employees connected, secures IoT devices, and underpins modern business. By introducing a dedicated wireless track, Cisco is acknowledging just how central it has become.
For network engineers, this is also a career opportunity. Wireless is only going to get bigger, and these certifications will prove you’re ready to handle it.