CWNA Certification: Overview, Benefits, and How to Get it

If you are interested in wireless networking technology and want to take your career to the next level, getting a Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) certification could be the right choice for you. In this article, we will provide you with an overview of the CWNA certification, why you should consider it, what it takes to get certified, and how and where to get the necessary training.

What is the CWNA certification?

The CWNA certification is a vendor-neutral, industry-standard career certification in wireless networking technology. It validates a professional network engineer’s ability to install, configure, and operate an enterprise wireless network. The CWNA certification is offered by Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP), a recognized professional organization within the wireless industry.

Why should you consider the CWNA certification?

One of the main benefits of getting the CWNA certification is that it is vendor-neutral. This means that the certification does not focus on one particular vendor’s technology, but rather exposes students to multiple vendors’ technologies, providing them with a breadth of understanding. This makes the certification portable between employers who use different technologies. Moreover, employers look for job candidates with certifications as they like returns on their investments. When a person obtains an industry certification, they gain a new skill set, which can help make them more efficient and effective at their job, ultimately leading to increased productivity and reduced costs.

What does it take to get certified?

The CWNA certification is aimed at network engineers and requires one to three years of network industry experience. If you are new to wireless networking, you can take the Certified Wireless Technology Specialist (CWTS) training class, which provides a general overview of wireless technology and helps build your understanding of the industry. Upon successful completion of the class and its associated exam, you will have a great foundation in the basics of wireless networking, which naturally leads to the CWNA certification.

To gain the CWNA certification, the candidate needs to take one exam, which is proctored by an authorized provider, in this case, Person VUE. The exam is multiple-choice, but students need to prepare themselves through study in order to be successful.

How and where to get the training?

To prepare for the exam, it is important to find a training provider that has an approved partnership with the certification provider, such as CWNP, and can claim authorized status. An authorized training provider can be relied upon to provide proper quality training using officially sanctioned materials. Additionally, it is a good idea to choose a training provider that offers additional classes in your desired certification provider’s training program, so that you can stay with them as you progress in your certification career.

According to CWNP, 86% of students who attended an instructor-led class passed their exam the first time, so finding a good training provider can really benefit you.

Conclusion

The CWNA certification is an industry-standard career certification in wireless networking technology that validates a professional network engineer’s ability to install, configure, and operate an enterprise wireless network. The certification is vendor-neutral, making it portable between employers who use different technologies. If you are interested in wireless networking and want to take your career to the next level, getting the CWNA certification could be the right choice for you. By finding an authorized training provider and passing the certification exam, you can boost your skillset, become more efficient and effective at your job, and increase your productivity and reduce costs.