Alternatives to the Cisco CCNP Automation Certification for Professional Network Automation Engineers

A comparable automation credential and a hands-on assessment option from other providers

Professionals who build secure, programmable network operations with CCNP Automation can compare it with credentials from other vendors. The reviewed options below pair a comparable HPE Juniper Networking DevOps credential with a Red Hat Ansible credential for readers who value practical assessment.

CCNP Automation alternativesCCNP Automation Search Certifications by Filters

Why compare

Automation options to weigh next to CCNP Automation

Options beside CCNP Automation are grouped by reason. HPE Juniper Networking provides a comparable automation and DevOps credential, while Red Hat provides an Ansible network automation credential for readers who prefer hands-on assessment. All are reviewed and none is ranked.

Starting point

Reference facts

CCNP Automation

Cisco

Level: Professional
Credential type: Professional certification
Exam type: Written
Study time: 130-260h
Known price: $300

Full certification details

Comparable

Comparable options to CCNP Automation

Credentials aimed at a similar goal and level, from another angle or provider. A similar purpose does not make them interchangeable.

HPE Juniper Networking

HPE Juniper Networking Automation and DevOps, Specialist (JNCIS-DevOps)

Juniper's mid-tier automation credential

HPE Juniper Networking Automation and DevOps, Specialist is a mid-tier network automation credential covering gRPC, Ansible, and Junos automation scripts for engineers outside the Cisco ecosystem.

Who it suits

A match for engineers who run automation on Juniper networks, or who are weighing vendor automation tracks at a comparable mid-career stage.

Key differences

It covers automation on Junos devices through gRPC and Ansible, whereas CCNP Automation spans infrastructure as code, operations, and AI in automation on Cisco platforms.
Topics are platform-specific scripting and orchestration rather than the architecture-level automation design the Cisco credential stresses.
Choosing it ties the learning to Juniper tooling, which helps in Juniper networks but transfers less directly to Cisco-heavy teams.

Level: Specialty
Assessment: Written
Study time: 90-180h
Listed from: $300

Hands-on

Hands-on alternatives to CCNP Automation

Credentials assessed through practical, lab-based, or multi-part exams, for people who want to show applied ability.

Red Hat

Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation

Performance-based Ansible network automation

Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation measures skill by having candidates automate network devices in a live environment, which a written Cisco exam does not do.

Who it suits

Aimed at network and systems engineers who prefer proving ability through hands-on tasks and who already lean on Ansible across several vendors.

Key differences

Examinees build and validate automation for network devices directly, while the Cisco exam relies on written questions about architecture and operations.
Ansible is the central tool, so knowledge is portable across vendors but does not cover Cisco-specific programmability or AI in automation.
Scope is a single specialist skill set instead of the broader automation architecture covered at the Cisco professional tier.

Level: Specialty
Assessment: Practical
Study time: 85-155h
Listed from: Not listed

Side by side

How the options compare on the record

Structured facts from each certification record, with CCNP Automation as the reference row. Prices and exam details change, so check the provider before deciding.

Certification	Compared for	Level	Assessment	Study time	Listed from
CCNP Automation Cisco	Reference	Professional	Written	130-260h	$300
HPE Juniper Networking Automation and DevOps, Specialist (JNCIS-DevOps) HPE Juniper Networking	Comparable	Specialty	Written	90-180h	$300
Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation Red Hat	Hands-on	Specialty	Practical	85-155h	Not listed

Next steps

Narrow your choice beyond CCNP Automation

Begin with the platforms and automation tools you run, then decide whether assessment format matters to you. Compare level and provider fit on each detail page, and use certification search to look at other infrastructure automation certifications.

Compare more certifications

Continue Your Certification Search Beyond CCNP Automation

For CCNP Automation, use the exam scope, preparation demands, cost context, and learning outcomes as comparison points. Then review certifications aimed at similar roles or subject areas to see whether another path better matches your experience, tools, and professional priorities.

Review CCNP Automation exam and skills