Top 10 Wireless Network Engineer Certifications

Certifications are an important factor in the job market for wireless network engineers. They demonstrate a professional level of knowledge and expertise in the field, which employers value highly. Certifications provide proof that the engineer has achieved a certain level of competency in their area of specialty, and can help them stand out from other applicants. Certifications also provide employers with assurance that the engineer is up-to-date on industry best practices and standards, making them more attractive candidates for open positions. Finally, certifications can be used to validate prior experience or education and often result in better pay or career advancement opportunities.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Wireless Network Engineers and explains how they can contribute to a wireless network engineer's career.

What are Wireless Network Engineer Certifications?

Wireless network engineer certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in designing, managing, and troubleshooting wireless networks. This certification is essential for anyone who wants to pursue a career in the field of wireless networking. Having this certification will help individuals demonstrate their expertise and proficiency in working with wireless networks, as well as give them the opportunity to work on more complex projects.

The certification covers topics such as wireless security protocols, wireless LAN design, configuration of wireless access points, troubleshooting techniques, antenna theory, RF signal propagation fundamentals and more. It also provides a comprehensive understanding of how various components interact within a wireless network. By obtaining this certification, individuals can gain the necessary skills to effectively manage and maintain networks using advanced technologies like Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 802.11ac Wave 2, and 802.11n.

By having this certification, individuals can make themselves more desirable for potential employers since they have proven their knowledge in the field of wireless networking. Furthermore, it can help people advance their careers by gaining additional certifications or even pursuing higher education programs related to networking.

Pro Tip: When pursuing a wireless network engineer certification, it is important to focus on the topics that are most relevant to your job role. This will ensure that you are able to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for success in this field. Additionally, be sure to stay up-to-date on any new technologies or certifications so that you remain competitive in the industry.

Related: What does a Wireless Network Engineer do?

Top 10 Wireless Network Engineer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Wireless Network Engineers today.

1. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Wireless

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Wireless is a professional-level certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills and knowledge in designing, deploying, configuring, and troubleshooting wireless networks. The certification covers the latest technologies in wireless networking, such as 802.11ac Wave 2, Cisco Unified Wireless Networking, Mobility Services Engine (MSE), and more.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete the CCNP Wireless certification process depending on your experience level. To get certified you must pass two exams: one for the core technology (300-370 WITSHOOT) and one for the concentration exam of your choice (300-375 WISECURE or 300-376 WISECONNECT). You can also opt for a single exam option if you already have the core technology exam passed.

The cost of each exam varies depending on where you take it but generally ranges from $150-$400 USD per exam.

2. CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)

CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) is a certification program designed to provide IT professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot wireless networks. This certification is offered by CWNP (Certified Wireless Network Professional), an organization dedicated to providing certifications for wireless networking professionals.

The CWNA certification requires passing one exam which tests the candidate's knowledge of wireless network basics, security, RF principles and theory, 802.11 standards and more. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of 60-70 multiple choice questions.

In order to become certified as a CWNA, candidates must first purchase the CWNA study guide from the CWNP website or an authorized reseller. The study guide includes information on topics such as radio frequency fundamentals, Wi-Fi architecture and design considerations, Wi-Fi security protocols, Wi-Fi performance optimization techniques and more. After studying the materials in the study guide, candidates must then register for and take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.

The cost of becoming a CWNA varies depending on where you purchase your study materials. The official CWNP study guide costs $299 USD while other resellers may offer discounted prices. Additionally, there is a fee of $125 USD for taking the exam at Pearson VUE testing centers.

3. Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX)

Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) is an advanced certification that validates a professional’s expertise in designing, deploying, and managing Aruba wireless networks. It is designed for IT professionals who have a deep understanding of the Aruba Mobile First Architecture and its components. The ACMX certification requires passing two exams: ACMX #611 and ACMX #612.

The ACMX certification process typically takes several months to complete. To get started, you must first register for the exam through Pearson VUE. Once registered, you will need to study for the exams using Aruba’s official training materials. After completing the training materials, you can then schedule your exams with Pearson VUE and take them at an authorized testing center.

The cost of the ACMX certification varies depending on where you purchase your exam voucher from. Generally speaking, it costs around $400 USD per exam or $800 USD for both exams combined.

4. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in networking technologies. It is a vendor-neutral certification, meaning it is not specific to any particular vendor or product. The certification covers topics such as network architecture, network operations, network security, troubleshooting, and more.

The CompTIA Network+ certification exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 720 out of 900 points.

To obtain the CompTIA Network+ certification, candidates must first register for the exam with a testing center such as Pearson VUE or Prometric. The cost for the exam varies depending on the testing center but typically ranges from $200 to $300 USD. Once registered, candidates can prepare for the exam by studying from official CompTIA resources or taking training courses offered by third-party vendors.

Once a candidate has passed the exam and received their certificate, they will need to renew their certification every three years by passing a continuing education (CE) course or re-taking the exam. The cost for renewal varies depending on which method is chosen but typically ranges from $50 to $100 USD per year.

5. Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate (JNCIA-WL)

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate (JNCIA-WL) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge of Juniper Networks Wireless LAN products and technologies. This certification is designed for networking professionals who are responsible for the implementation, operation, and troubleshooting of Juniper Networks Wireless LAN solutions.

It typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete the JNCIA-WL exam, which can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center. The cost of the exam is $150 USD. In order to get certified, you must pass the JNCIA-WL exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The exam covers topics such as wireless LAN fundamentals, wireless LAN security, wireless LAN design and deployment, wireless LAN troubleshooting and management, and more. It also tests your ability to configure and manage Juniper Networks Wireless LAN solutions using Junos OS command line interface (CLI).

6. CWSP – Certified Wireless Security Professional

CWSP (Certified Wireless Security Professional) is a certification program offered by the CWNP (Certified Wireless Network Professional) organization. It is designed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of wireless security principles and practices, as well as the ability to effectively design, deploy, and troubleshoot secure wireless networks.

The CWSP certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as wireless LAN security protocols, authentication methods, encryption technologies, and wireless network architecture. The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

To obtain the CWSP certification, you must first register for the exam on the CWNP website. You can then take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through their virtual testing platform. The cost of the exam is $250 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CWSP certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks. You will also be listed in the CWNP database and be eligible for discounts on future training courses and products related to wireless security.

7. CWDP – Certified Wireless Design Professional

CWDP stands for Certified Wireless Design Professional. It is a certification program offered by the CWNP (Certified Wireless Network Professional). The CWDP certification validates an individual's knowledge and experience in designing, deploying, and troubleshooting wireless networks. It requires that the individual demonstrate their expertise in areas such as radio frequency (RF) engineering, network design, security protocols, and wireless applications.

The CWDP certification is designed to be completed within 12 months from start to finish. To get the certification, you must first pass the CWDP exam which consists of 90 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as RF engineering principles, network design best practices, wireless security protocols, and wireless application development. After passing the exam, you will need to complete a hands-on project demonstrating your ability to design a wireless network solution that meets customer requirements.

The cost of obtaining the CWDP certification varies depending on where you take the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD to register for the exam and another $200 USD for the hands-on project submission fee.

8. CWAP – Certified Wireless Analysis Professional

CWAP (Certified Wireless Analysis Professional) is a certification program offered by the Wireless LAN Association (WLANA). This certification is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize wireless networks.

The CWAP certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in wireless network design, implementation, or management. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as 802.11 standards, RF fundamentals, Wi-Fi security protocols, network analysis tools and techniques, and more.

To get certified as a CWAP professional you must pass the CWAP exam which can take up to four hours to complete. The cost for taking the exam is $400 USD. Once you have passed the exam you will receive your official CWAP certificate from WLANA.

In order to maintain your CWAP certification you must renew it every three years by passing an updated version of the exam or by completing continuing education credits.

9. HP ASE Mobility Solutions Architect Certification

HP ASE Mobility Solutions Architect Certification is a professional-level certification designed to validate an individual's knowledge and skills in designing, developing, and deploying mobile solutions. This certification requires a deep understanding of the HP Mobile portfolio and its associated technologies.

The exam for this certification is comprised of multiple choice questions from topics such as architecture design, development, deployment, security, scalability, performance testing, and more. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 65 questions.

To get certified as an HP ASE Mobility Solutions Architect you must pass the HP2-N53 Exam. This exam is available through Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but typically ranges between $125-$150 USD.

In order to prepare for the HP2-N53 Exam you should have a thorough understanding of the HP Mobile portfolio including its features and capabilities as well as experience with developing mobile solutions using HP technologies. Additionally it is recommended that you take an official training course provided by HP or another authorized provider before taking the exam.

10. Microsoft MCSA: Windows 10

Microsoft MCSA: Windows 10 is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the installation, configuration, and management of Windows 10 operating systems. It is designed to validate the skills needed to successfully manage and maintain a Windows 10 environment.

How long does it take to get it?

To obtain the Microsoft MCSA: Windows 10 certification, you must pass two exams: Exam 70-698: Installing and Configuring Windows 10 and Exam 70-697: Configuring Windows Devices. Depending on your experience level, it can take anywhere from two weeks to several months to prepare for these exams.

How to get it?

You can become certified by taking the two required exams at a Pearson VUE testing center or through online proctored delivery. To register for an exam, visit the Pearson VUE website and select “Schedule an Exam” from the main menu. You will then be prompted to create an account if you do not already have one. Once you have created your account, you can search for available exams by selecting “Microsoft” as the vendor and entering “MCSA: Windows 10” as the exam name.

How much does it cost?

The cost of each exam is $165 USD. Therefore, obtaining this certification will cost $330 USD in total (not including any additional fees).

Do You Really Need a Wireless Network Engineer Certificate?

Whether or not you need a wireless network engineer certificate depends on your goals and the type of work you are looking to do in the field. If you are interested in a career as a wireless network engineer, then earning a certificate can be beneficial. It demonstrates to potential employers that you have specific knowledge and skills related to wireless networking, which can be an important factor when determining who is best suited for the job.

Additionally, having a certificate may also give you an edge over other candidates who don't have one. It shows that you take the time to stay up-to-date on industry trends and technologies, and that you are committed to learning more about this field. Having this certification could help open doors for opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable.

On the other hand, if you are already working in the field as a wireless network engineer, then having a certificate may not be necessary. In this case, it is more important to demonstrate your expertise through experience rather than through certifications. However, if you are looking to move up in your current role or switch companies, then having a certification can prove useful.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a wireless network engineer certificate depends on what your career goals are and what kind of work you want to do in this field. Consider these factors before deciding whether or not it is worth it for you to pursue such certification.

Related: Wireless Network Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Wireless Network Engineer Certifications

1. What certifications are available for Wireless Network Engineers?

Answer: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Wireless, CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA), CWNP Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP), CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ are the most popular certifications available for Wireless Network Engineers.

2. How do I become a certified Wireless Network Engineer?

Answer: Depending on your experience level, you may need to take an exam or complete a course in order to become certified. Generally, you will need to have a basic understanding of networking concepts and technologies, as well as knowledge of wireless protocols and principles.

3. Is it necessary to have prior experience in order to earn a certification?

Answer: It is not always necessary to have prior experience in order to earn a certification. However, having some prior experience with wireless network engineering can give you an edge when taking the exam or completing the coursework required for certification.

4. What are the benefits of earning a Wireless Network Engineer Certification?

Answer: Earning a certification as a Wireless Network Engineer can open up opportunities for higher-paying jobs and increased career mobility within the field of networking technology. In addition, having this certification can provide industry recognition that demonstrates your expertise and commitment to your profession.

5. How long does it take to complete a certification program?

Answer: The length of time required to complete a certification program varies depending on the level of expertise needed and type of certification being pursued. Generally speaking, completion times range from 6 months up to 2 years or more depending on the program requirements and individual dedication level.