Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP)
Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)
Credential: Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)
Credentialing Agency: Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP)
Renewal Period: 3 years
The Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP), Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) is a base certification for Enterprise Wi-Fi within the CWNP family of certifications. Candidates must have an understanding of the fundamentals of RF behavior and the ability to describe the features and functions of WLAN components as they apply to WLAN administration. CWNA candidates must have the skills needed to install, configure, and troubleshoot WLAN hardware peripherals and protocols in small business and enterprise deployments. Candidates must pass a written exam.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)
Attainability: 
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience
- Education
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
Exam Administration (View Details)
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
Renewal Period: 3 years
- Continuing Education
- Exam
- Continuing Education OR Exam
- Fee
- Other
Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP)
2224 Sedwick Drive
Suite 102
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (866) 438-2963
Fax: (919) 287-2952
Email: customercare@cwnp.com
-
Radio Frequency (RF) Technologies (15%)
-
1.1 Define and explain the basic characteristics of RF and RF behavior
-
1.2 Apply the basic concepts of RF mathematics and measurement
-
1.3 Identify RF signal characteristics as they relate to antennas
-
1.4 Explain and apply the functionality of RF antennas and antenna systems and the mounting options and antenna accessories available
-
WLAN Regulations and Standards (10%)
-
2.1 Explain the roles of WLAN and networking industry organizations
-
2.2 Explain the IEEE standard creation process including working groups, naming conventions, drafts and ratification
-
2.3 Explain and apply the various Physical Layer (PHY) solutions of the IEEE 802.11-2016 standard as amended including supported channel widths, spatial streams, data rates and supported modulation types
-
2.4 Identify and apply 802.11 WLAN functional concepts
-
2.5 Describe the OSI model layers affected by the 802.11-2016 standard and amendments
-
2.6 Define the frequency bands used by the 802.11 PHYs
-
2.7 Identify and comply with regulatory domain requirements and explain how to determine constraints within a regulatory domain
-
2.8 Explain basic use case scenarios for 802.11 wireless networks
-
WLAN Protocols and Devices (20%)
-
3.1 Describe the components that make up an 802.11 wireless service set
-
4.1 Identify technology roles for which WLAN solutions are appropriate and describe the typical use of WLAN solutions in those roles
-
3.2 Identify and explain the basic frame types defined in the 802.11-2016 standard
-
3.3 Explain the process used to locate and connect to a WLAN
-
3.4 Define terminology related to the 802.11 MAC and PHY
-
3.5 Explain 802.11 channel access methods
-
3.6 Describe features of, select and install WLAN infrastructure devices
-
3.7 Identify the features, purpose, and use of the following WLAN client devices and adapters
-
WLAN Network Architecture (20%)
-
4.2 Describe and implement Power over Ethernet (PoE)
-
4.3 Define and describe controller-based, distributed, cloud-based, and controller-less WLAN architectures
-
4.4 Define and describe a multiple channel architecture (MCA) network model and contrast it with a single channel architecture (SCA) model
-
4.5 Match WLAN deployment requirements commonly specified to technology solutions
-
4.6 Determine and document required network services supporting the WLAN
-
WLAN Network Security (10%)
-
5.1 Identify weak security options that should not be used in enterprise WLANs
-
5.2 Identify and configure effective security mechanisms for enterprise WLANs
-
5.3 Describe and select common security enhancements and tools used in WLANs
-
5.4 Explain and use secure management protocols
-
RF Validation (10%)
-
6.1 Explain the importance of and the process of a post-implementation validation survey
-
6.2 Locate and identify sources of RF interference
-
6.3 Perform application testing to validate WLAN performance
-
6.4 Understand and use the basic features of validation tools
-
WLAN Troubleshooting (15%)
-
7.1 Define and apply industry and vendor recommended troubleshooting processes to resolve common 802.11 wireless networking problems
-
7.2 Describe and apply common troubleshooting tools used in WLANs
-
7.3 Identify and explain how to solve the following WLAN implementation challenges using features available in enterprise class WLAN equipment and troubleshooting tools
-
7.4 Troubleshoot common connectivity problems in WLANs (both WLAN connectivity and network connectivity for wireless clients)
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) examination:
An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the
Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.
-
Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
-
Third-Party Test Vendor Information
Testing for this credential is handled by the following vendor:
Pearson VUE
The test centers are located in the U.S.
They also have some test centers on military bases.
To find out more, use the following links on the Pearson VUE website:
Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)
Renewal Period: 3 years
The Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) credential has the following recertification information:
-
The CWNA certification is valid for three years. To recertify, CWNA certification holders must pass one of the professional level certifications exams (CWSP,CWDP, CWAP) before the CWNA expires. By doing so, the CWNA will be renewed for another three years. CWNA certification holders may also retake the current version of the CWNA exam.
Additional information about recertification can be found on the CWNP website.
-
Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid.
Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your
credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).
- While the Certified Wireless Specialist (CWS) and Certified Wireless Technician (CWT) certifications are not a required prerequisite to the CWNA certification, it is highly recommended.
MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
This is an official U.S. Marine Corps website
Updated: January 29, 2021
Marine Occupations Table Legend
Related As
The military occupations shown in this table are related to this credential in one of three ways: Most, Some, or Other.
MOST
This credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will most likely require additional education, training, or experience.
COOL$
Contact usmccool@navy.mil or call 850-452-6337/6583 for a Marine Corps COOL Program Analyst.
Federal Occupations Table Legend
Related As
The federal occupations shown in this table are related to this credential in one of three ways: Most, Some, or Other.
MOST
This credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the federal occupation (at least 80%). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the federal occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This credential is related to this federal occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will most likely require additional education, training, or experience.
Civilian Occupations Table Legend
Bright Outlook
The Bright Outlook icon indicates that new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job. Click the links in this column to go to the external link My Next Move For Veterans State Map.
Registered Apprenticeship
The Registered Apprenticeship icon indicates that this job has an apprenticeship program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Click the links in this column to go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities
Local Salary Information
Click the links in this column to go to the external link My Next Move for Veterans web site to view salary and employment information for the job.
Top