Cisco Renames 300-425 ENWLSD and 300-430 ENWLSI in 2026: What the Changes Mean for Candidates

Cisco is making important updates to its wireless certification exams in 2026, and if you're planning to pursue advanced networking credentials, it's essential to understand what's changing, why it matters, and how you can make the most of the transition. Specifically, two key exams in the CCNP Wireless track - 300-425 ENWLSD and 300-430 ENWLSI - are being renamed and realigned.

Important Transition Dates

Cisco has set clear deadlines for the current exams:

Last date to test: March 18, 2026 

Effective March 19, 2026:

●300-425 ENWLSD will become 300-110 WLSD: Designing Cisco Wireless Networks

●300-430 ENWLSI will become 300-120 WLSI: Implementing Cisco Wireless Advanced Solutions

After March 18, the old exam codes will no longer be available, and you’ll only be able to take the newly named versions.

What's Changing - and What's Staying the Same

Realignment under CCNP Wireless

The main purpose of this shift is to better align the exams with Cisco's current CCNP Wireless certification structure. The content itself isn’t being completely rewritten - many of the core topics such as design best practices, mobility solutions, FlexConnect, QoS, and advanced wireless operations remain central. However, the exams are being repositioned with updated names and potentially slight content reorganization to match updated industry trends and Cisco’s exam framework.

Why Cisco Is Doing This

Cisco updates exams periodically to:

●Reflect changes in technology and industry practices

●Make certification tracks clearer for learners

●Improve alignment between certification titles and real-world job roles

Renaming the exams helps clarify what each test actually focuses on:

●The WLSD exams emphasize wireless design

●The WLSI exams focus on wireless implementation and advanced solutions

Exam Breakdown: Before and After

Before March 19, 2026

After March 19, 2026

What This Means for Candidates

Here's how the change affects you depending on your timeline:

If You Plan to Take the Exam Before March 18, 2026

●Take the old exam codes (300-425 and 300-430) before the deadline

●Passing them still counts toward CCNP Wireless or specialist credentials

●You'll earn the official titles tied to those codes

If You Take the Exam On or After March 19, 2026

●You'll take the newly named versions

●The focus and structure remain largely similar

●Your certification will reflect the updated exam code and name

How to Prepare

Whether you sit for the exams before or after the change:

●Review official Cisco exam topics and objectives

●Use current study guides, hands-on labs, and practice tests

●Join wireless study groups or forums to stay updated

●Plan your exam schedule around the March 18 deadline if you want the current codes

Cisco's renaming of the ENWLSD and ENWLSI exams is not a complete overhaul - but it is an important milestone in the evolution of the CCNP Wireless track. The new names more clearly reflect exam content and help streamline Cisco's certification paths as networking technologies advance.