Examples of Qualification for the CNP requirements
All of the below examples require:
1. Proof of work experience
2. Proof of certifications awarded
3. Proof of exams passed
4. Proof of presentations
5. A completed application
6. A completed membership form if not a member
7. Appropriate fees paid
Experience Only:
12 years of professional level experience
Passing the Comptia Network + test (one of the base exams accepted)
Education plus Experience
(total 100 points)Vendor certifications only example
3 years of professional level experience
Passing the Comptia Security + test
Comptia Security + certification (10 points)
Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate – (20 points)
CCNP Enterprise – ( 70 points)
Vendor certification and experience plus education example
6 years of professional level experience (30 Points)
Passing the Comptia Security + test
Comptia Security + certification (10 points)
Microsoft MCSE – (60 points)
Vocational/Technical Certificate in a specific field (30 points)
Combination example
5 years of professional level experience (20 points)
Passing the Comptia Security + test
Comptia Security + certification (10 points)
Red Hat Certified System Engineer RHCE (10 points)
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional (10 points)
Cisco CCNA (20 points)
Vocational/Technical Certificate in a specific field (30 points)
Expired Vendor certifications examples
#1
3 years of professional level experience
Passing the current Comptia Security + test
Comptia Security + certification (10 points)
Novell CNE 3 – (50 points) expired certification accepted because of incentive
Microsoft MCSE 4 – (60 points) expired certification accepted because of incentive
#2
3 years of professional level experience
Passing the current Comptia Network + test
Comptia Network + certification (10 points)
Novell CNE 3 – (50 points) expired certification accepted because of incentive
Novell CNI – (50 points) expired certification accepted because of incentive
#3
3 years of professional level experience
Passing the current Comptia Network + test
Comptia Network + certification (10 points)
Microsoft MCSE NT 3.51 – (60 points) expired certification accepted because of
incentive
Microsoft MCT 2000 – (50 points) expired certification accepted because of incentive
Educator examples
#1
5 years of professional level experience (20 points)
Base test waived thru 12/2025 because of educator incentive
Masters Degree in a non-related field (70 points)
Formal Education Teaching Certification (50 points)
#2
7 years of professional level experience (40 points)
Base test waived thru 12/2025 because of educator incentive
Masters Degree in a specific field (90 points)
Previous CNP holder example
No new requirements as credit is given for past CNP certification acceptance incentive
Current ISP holder example
Experience component fulfilled as it is a requirement of the ISP certification
Base test waived thru 12/2025 because of educator incentive
ISP Certification – (100 points) ISP certification acceptance incentive
Requires documented proof of a solid competency in networking (check the CIPS ISP
Incentives Form for updates on this program)
Industry expert example
7 years of professional level experience (40 points)
Presenting at a major conference (70 points)
Base test waived thru 12/2025 because of presentation incentive
The CNP program was developed and funded by the Network
Professional Association® (NPA). The NPA is a self-regulating, non-profit
organization dedicated to advancing the network computing profession.
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