Exam Overview

The 350-501 SPCOR exam is a professional-level core and specialist certification exam in Cisco's Service Provider certification path. Passing earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Service Provider Core certification and satisfies an applicable core exam requirement. Cisco currently lists 350-501 SPCOR as the active CCNP Service Provider core exam and the qualifying exam for the CCIE Service Provider lab.

• Exam Code: 350-501 SPCOR v1.1
• Level: Professional-level core and Specialist certification exam
• Duration: 120 minutes. Available language: English.
• Passing Score: Not officially disclosed by Cisco (commonly estimated at ~825 out of 1000).
• Grading and Results: Cisco uses pass/fail grading and states that results are available online within 48 hours.

Exam Structure

The 350-501 SPCOR exam follows five weighted domains covering architecture, networking, MPLS and Segment Routing, services, and automation and assurance.

• Question Types: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.
• Number of Questions: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.
• Hands-On Questions: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.

Exam Policies

Before completing SPCOR exam registration, review Cisco certification policies, Pearson VUE identification rules, the Cisco candidate agreement, and the appointment terms. Cisco currently lists 350-501 SPCOR as the active CCNP Service Provider core exam and the qualifying exam for the CCIE Service Provider lab.

• Rescheduling: Online Proctored exams can be rescheduled up to 30 minutes before check-in. Test Center exams can be rescheduled up to 48 hours before the scheduled appointment.
• Cancellation: Online Proctored exams can be cancelled up to 30 minutes before check-in. Test Center exams can be cancelled up to 48 hours before the scheduled appointment.
• Retake Policy: After failing a Professional- or Specialist-level written exam, wait five calendar days, beginning the next day, before retaking it. After passing, wait at least 180 days before taking the identical exam number again.
• Retake Fee: A retake normally requires the full SPCOR exam fee unless a valid safeguard, voucher, or promotion provides different terms.

Certification Validity and Renewal Options

Passing the 350-501 SPCOR exam earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Service Provider Core certification and starts Cisco's active certification cycle.

• Validity: Cisco Specialist certifications remain active for three years from the date earned.
• Renewal Options: Renew by earning 40 Continuing Education credits or completing an eligible Cisco exam pathway under the current recertification policy.

Exam Fee

• Base Fee: The official SPCOR exam fee is USD 400, excluding applicable taxes. Eligible Cisco Learning Credits may be redeemed during scheduling.
• Taxes: Local taxes, currency conversion, and regional checkout rules may affect the final SPCOR certification cost. The payable amount is shown during registration.
• Example (India): Candidates in India are subject to 18% GST, bringing the total exam fee to USD 472 (USD 400 + USD 72 GST).

Prerequisites

Cisco publishes no formal prerequisite for the 350-501 SPCOR exam. To earn CCNP Service Provider, candidates must pass SPCOR and one eligible concentration exam. Passing SPCOR also meets the qualifying-exam requirement for the CCIE Service Provider lab.

• Candidates should understand service provider routing and switching, IPv4 and IPv6, OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, MPLS, Segment Routing, VPN services, QoS, high availability, network assurance, APIs, data models, telemetry, and automation.
• Preparation should combine the official SPCOR syllabus with practical experience designing, implementing, operating, monitoring, or troubleshooting the technologies represented in the current blueprint.
• Cisco's official learning resources are recommended preparation for the 350-501 SPCOR exam, but completing a specific course is not an exam prerequisite.

Exam Topics

The official SPCOR syllabus v1.1 covers the following weighted domains and implementation context:

• Architecture - 15%: Service provider reference architectures, core and edge roles, control-plane and data-plane separation, redundancy, high availability, convergence, transport, virtualization, and network slicing concepts.
• Networking - 30%: IS-IS, OSPF, BGP, IPv4 and IPv6, route policy, convergence, multicast, QoS, timing and synchronization, and service provider routing operations.
• MPLS and Segment Routing - 20%: MPLS forwarding and label distribution, Segment Routing with MPLS and IPv6, traffic engineering, protection, path computation, and verification.
• Services - 20%: Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs, EVPN, Internet services, multicast VPN services, QoS, subscriber-related services, and service implementation and troubleshooting.
• Automation and Assurance - 15%: Model-driven programmability, YANG, NETCONF, RESTCONF, telemetry, APIs, Python, orchestration, assurance, and operational data analysis.
• Core Pathway: SPCOR integrates architecture, routing, transport, services, and automation in the core blueprint used for both CCNP Service Provider and the CCIE Service Provider qualifying requirement.

Intended Audience

The 350-501 SPCOR exam is designed for professionals who design, implement, operate, monitor, or support modern service provider environments, including:

• Service Provider Network Engineers
• IP Backbone Engineers
• MPLS and Segment Routing Engineers
• Network Operations Engineers
• Service Provider Automation Engineers
• Network Architects and Consultants
• CCNP and CCIE Service Provider Candidates

Career Opportunities

Passing the 350-501 SPCOR exam supports specialist roles aligned with the knowledge and practical skills in the current blueprint, including:

• Service Provider Core Engineer
• IP Backbone Engineer
• MPLS and Segment Routing Engineer
• Senior Network Engineer
• Network Automation Engineer
• Service Provider Network Architect

Average Salary (Approximate)

Cisco does not publish salary data for SPCOR credential holders. The ranges below use current employment-market estimates for Network Engineers or a closely related role. Salaries vary by experience, employer, location, job role, and industry.

• U.S.: Approximately USD 98,436-156,000 per year in total pay for Network Engineers (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• India: Approximately INR 390,000-1,100,000 per year in total pay for Network Engineers in Bengaluru (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• United Kingdom: Approximately GBP 37,323-69,475 per year for Network Engineers in London (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• UAE: Approximately AED 84,000-192,000 per year for Network Security Engineers in Dubai, annualized from Glassdoor's monthly range (July 2026).

Exam Delivery Options

During SPCOR exam registration, candidates can review the delivery methods available for the 350-501 appointment and their location.

• Pearson VUE Test Center - Take the exam in a proctored environment at an authorized Pearson VUE test center, subject to local availability.
• Online Proctored Exam (OnVUE) - Cisco written certification exams, including 350-501, can be taken online, subject to country availability, system requirements, and the appointment options shown during scheduling.
• Online Exam Rules: Run the required system test, use an approved computer with webcam and microphone, present acceptable identification, maintain a clear private workspace, and remain under live-proctor supervision.
• Test Center Rules: Arrive according to the appointment instructions, bring the required identification, store prohibited items, accept Cisco's candidate agreement, and follow all check-in and proctor directions.

Exam Registration

Follow these steps to complete SPCOR exam registration:

• Open Cisco's official exam scheduling portal and sign in with the Cisco account linked to the certification profile.
• Select the 350-501 SPCOR exam and choose an available Pearson VUE test center or OnVUE online-proctored appointment, where offered.
• Confirm the exam version, language, date, time, delivery method, identification requirements, and booking terms. Cisco currently lists 350-501 SPCOR as the active CCNP Service Provider core exam and the qualifying exam for the CCIE Service Provider lab.
• Pay the SPCOR exam fee, apply an eligible voucher, or redeem Cisco Learning Credits, then save the appointment confirmation.

After Passing the Exam

After passing the 350-501 SPCOR exam, review the pass/fail result and certification record in Cisco CertMetrics.

• Passing earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Service Provider Core certification and satisfies an applicable core exam requirement.
• Use Cisco CertMetrics to access exam history, score reports, certificates, transcripts, certification logos, and the credential's expiration information.
• To earn CCNP Service Provider, also pass one eligible concentration exam within Cisco's applicable written-exam validity window. Passing SPCOR also meets the qualifying-exam requirement for the CCIE Service Provider lab.

Why the 350-501 SPCOR Exam Is Worth It

• Earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Service Provider Core certification
• Satisfies an applicable core exam requirement
• Validates current Cisco service provider expertise
• Demonstrates focused knowledge aligned with the official SPCOR syllabus