Network Certification: 6 Options for Your IT Career in 2026

Key Takeaways

Network certifications can help you make your resume more competitive and gain the skills you need to succeed in an information technology role.

• Network certifications are credentials you can earn to demonstrate your ability to work with networks in IT, and they can be vendor-specific or vendor-neutral.

• Certifications are often not required, but they can help employers validate your skill level quickly.

• You can start in an entry-level IT role and use network certifications to specialize and advance into roles like network administrator, engineer, or architect.

Read on to explore some of the top network certifications to boost your IT career. If you're ready to start sharpening your skills and building credentials right away, consider enrolling in the Azure Network Engineer: AZ-700 Exam Prep & Certification Specialization. While prepping for the industry-recognized AZ-700 exam, you'll also earn a shareable certificate for your resume or LinkedIn profile demonstrating your abilities in core areas like Azure network security and governance.

Network certifications: Should you get one?

Though certifications are often not required, they can be a good way for employers to validate your skill level quickly. Network certifications can help you make your resume more competitive and gain the skills you need to succeed in an IT role.

6 network certifications to compare

People with network certifications can become network technicians, administrators, engineers, architects, or other network-related professionals. Knowledge of networks can also be useful for some system administration positions.

1. CCNA certification

Widely regarded as a staple network certification, the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is an associate-level (early-career) credential. It covers a wide range of networking fundamentals. Cisco is one of the largest companies in the networking industry, making this credential highly relevant. Cisco also offers entry (CCT), professional (CCNP), and expert-level certifications (CCDE). 

• Cost: $300 [1]

• Requirements: Requires one exam. No prerequisites, though at least one year of experience working with Cisco solutions is recommended.

• What’s being tested: Network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security, automation, and programmability

2. CompTIA Network+ 

A vendor-neutral certification, the CompTIA Network+ certification tests your understanding of networking basics regardless of the company your networking technology may come from. CompTIA also offers the CompTIA A+ certification for those who are looking for entry-level IT jobs.

• Cost: $390 [2]

• Requirements: Requires one exam. No prerequisites, though 9-12 months of networking experience or CompTIA A+ certification is recommended.

• What’s being tested: Essential networking concepts; cabling, device, and storage technologies; managing networks; security; and troubleshooting methodology and tools

3. Juniper Networks Certified Associate - Junos (JNCIA-Junos)

The JNCIA-Junos is the associate-level certification for Juniper Networks technologies. It’s the first step required for those who want to take more advanced certifications from Juniper Networks in data center technologies, enterprise routing, and switching, or service provider routing and switching.

• Cost: $200 [3]

• Requirements: Requires one exam. No prerequisites.

• What’s being tested: Junos OS fundamentals like software architecture and transit traffic processing, configuration basics, routing policy, and firewall filters

Learn Juniper network security from Juniper

Who better to learn Juniper network security from than Juniper professionals themselves? In Juniper's Networks Security Fundamentals Specialization, you'll explore common cybersecurity problems and learn how Juniper Networks approaches a complete security solution with Juniper Connected Security.

4. SolarWinds Certified Professional

The SolarWinds Certified Professional credential enables you to use and maintain SolarWinds network and system products. SolarWinds products are used prominently in specific industries, like government and accounting.

• Cost: $200 [4]

• Requirements: Requires one exam. No prerequisites.

• What’s being tested: Diagnostics, database performance analysis, network configuration, performance monitoring, and network architecture

5. VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)

If you’re interested in virtualization, getting the VCP-NV certification can be a good way to get started with the essentials of the VMWare NSX network virtualization platform. The certification will test your knowledge of the NSX terminology, graphical user interfaces, and other core technical skills.

• Cost: $250 [5]

• Requirements: Requires one exam. No prerequisites.

• What’s being tested: Installing, configuring, and setup; performance-tuning, optimization, and upgrades; fundamental architecture and technologies; planning and designing; and troubleshooting

Learn VMware NSX from VMware

Wondering where to start with VMware NSX? Consider enrolling in VMware's Networking and Security Architecture with VMware NSX course.

6. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

The Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification specifically tests your knowledge of Microsoft’s Azure platform to demonstrate your proficiency with networking, storage, monitoring, and securing information with Azure.

• Cost: $165

• Requirements: No prerequisites.

• What’s being tested: Installing, configuring, and setup; performance-tuning, optimization, and upgrades; fundamental architecture and technologies; planning and designing; and troubleshooting

Career paths with network certification

Any company that uses computers is liable to need networking professionals. If you want to enter the field, starting in an entry-level IT role like a help desk technician can be your first step. You can use an entry-level IT credential like the CompTIA A+ to prepare. From there, you might choose to specialize in networks and become a network administrator. You can also choose to become a network engineer or a network architect.

AI and networking

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into network management, security, and operations. From automating routine tasks like configuration and monitoring to detecting anomalies and potential threats in real time, AI tools are changing how networking professionals do their jobs. As AI becomes more prevalent in IT infrastructure, familiarity with AI concepts and tools is becoming a valuable complement to traditional network skills. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance, building a foundational understanding of AI can help you stay competitive in a rapidly evolving field.

How to get a network certification

If you decide pursuing a certification in network engineering is right for you, these steps can help you make the most of your learning experience. 

1. Choose the right certification.

It’s a good idea to review the different certifications available to network engineers before deciding which ones to pursue. You’ll want to consider factors such as which specializations can help you in your career and the platforms you commonly use in network engineering.

2. Review certification requirements.

Take note of the requirements for each certification before you register to ensure you qualify. As noted above, some certifications require you to meet specific criteria before earning them. It’s also important to contact the certificate provider if you have questions about specific requirements.

3. Enroll in training programs.

You can prepare for your certification exam by enrolling in training classes, online courses, or boot camps to help you get ready. You can find training courses and boot camps online through platforms like Coursera, and certification providers may offer training programs as part of a package that includes the certification exam.

4. Create a study plan.

Since earning a certificate can be challenging and time-consuming, you’ll want to set aside plenty of time to attend classes, training courses, or boot camps and additional time to study before the certification exam so you’re adequately prepared.

5. Register for the exam.

Check the websites for certification programs for instructions on registering for the exam. You’ll want to ensure you get all the information necessary for the exam, including how much it costs and when and where you’ll be taking the exam. You can take some exams online, while other certification programs may require you to take the exam in person.

6. Know what to expect.

Network engineering certification exams can vary depending on the knowledge you’re being tested on and the certification provider. It’s essential to review how you’ll be tested on your skills so you know how to study. Some common formats include tests with only multiple-choice questions or tests with a combination of multiple-choice and performance-based questions.

Training resources for network engineer certifications

You should prepare for certification exams by studying the topics covered on the exam. Utilize various resources to prepare for your exam, including:

• Official study guides, courses, and materials from certification providers

• Online learning platforms such as Coursera

• Practice exams

• Community forums for networking and support

Keep sharpening your IT skill set with Coursera's free resources

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• Take career quizzes to find your ideal role, identify key areas of study with skill assessments, or bookmark helpful glossaries through Coursera's Career Resource Hub

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