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Compare certifications
Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.
Cisco · professional
CCNP SecCisco Certified Network Professional - Security
Cisco Certified Network Professional - Security
Official pagePalo Alto · professional
PCNSEPalo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer
Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer
Official pageComparing
CiscoCCNP Sec
Palo AltoPCNSE
› Cost
Exam fee
CCNP Sec$300
PCNSE$200
Exam fee
$300
$200
Annual maintenance fee
CCNP Sec—
PCNSE—
Annual maintenance fee
—
—
3-year cost of ownership
CCNP Sec$300
PCNSE$200
3-year cost of ownership
$300
$200
› Exam mechanics
Pass mark
CCNP SecVariable (~825/1000 scaled)
PCNSE70%
Pass mark
Variable (~825/1000 scaled)
70%
Retake policy
CCNP Sec$300 fee · 5d wait
PCNSE$175 fee · 14d wait
Retake policy
$300 fee · 5d wait
$175 fee · 14d wait
Study time
CCNP Sec200–400 hrs
PCNSE100–200 hrs
Study time
200–400 hrs
100–200 hrs
Validity
CCNP Sec3 yrs
PCNSE—
Validity
3 yrs
—
CPE / yr
CCNP Sec30 CPEs
PCNSE—
CPE / yr
30 CPEs
—
Delivery
CCNP Sectest center
PCNSE—
Delivery
test center
—
› Salary signal (US base)
Range
CCNP Sec$110K – $165K
PCNSE$115K – $175K
Range
$110K – $165K
$115K – $175K
Median
CCNP Sec$130,000
PCNSE$138,000
Median
$130,000
$138,000
Premium %
CCNP Sec—
PCNSE—
Premium %
—
—
Role context
CCNP SecNetwork security engineer (Cisco-stack), US, 4-6 years.
PCNSENetwork security engineer (Palo Alto-focused), US, 3–5 years.
Role context
Network security engineer (Cisco-stack), US, 4-6 years.
Network security engineer (Palo Alto-focused), US, 3–5 years.
› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)
Schema quality
CCNP Sec8.5
PCNSE8.0
Schema quality
8.5
8.0
Practice evidence
CCNP Sec7.0
PCNSE7.0
Practice evidence
7.0
7.0
Maintenance
CCNP Sec8.5
PCNSE8.5
Maintenance
8.5
8.5
Market recognition
CCNP Sec8.5
PCNSE8.0
Market recognition
8.5
8.0
Average
CCNP Sec8.1
PCNSE7.9
Average
8.1
7.9
› Recognition & lifecycle
Recognition
CCNP SecGlobal
PCNSEGlobal
Recognition
Global
Global
ISO 17024 accredited
CCNP Sec—
PCNSE—
ISO 17024 accredited
—
—
DoD 8140 baseline
CCNP Sec—
PCNSE—
DoD 8140 baseline
—
—
Holders worldwide
CCNP Sec—
PCNSE—
Holders worldwide
—
—
Current version
CCNP SecSCOR + concentration exam (2024-02)
PCNSEPAN-OS 11.x aligned (2024-01)
Current version
SCOR + concentration exam (2024-02)
PAN-OS 11.x aligned (2024-01)
› Domain coverage
A2Network Security
CCNP Sec● core
PCNSE● core
A2Network Security
● core
● core
A6Identity & Access Management
CCNP Sec● core
PCNSE● core
A6Identity & Access Management
● core
● core
Browse the full catalog or open any one of these on its detail page for full study materials, peer comparisons, and lifecycle notes.