Exam Overview

The 300-515 SPVI exam is a professional-level concentration and specialist certification exam in Cisco's Service Provider certification path. Passing earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Service Provider VPN Services Implementation certification and satisfies an applicable concentration exam requirement. Cisco currently lists 300-515 SPVI as an active CCNP Service Provider concentration exam.

• Exam Code: 300-515 SPVI v1.1
• Level: Professional-level concentration and Specialist certification exam
• Duration: 90 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 300-515 SPVI exam follows four weighted domains covering VPN architecture, Layer 2 VPNs, Layer 3 VPNs, and IPv6 VPNs.

• 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 SPVI exam registration, review Cisco certification policies, Pearson VUE identification rules, the Cisco candidate agreement, and the appointment terms. Cisco currently lists 300-515 SPVI as an active CCNP Service Provider concentration exam.

• 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 SPVI exam fee unless a valid safeguard, voucher, or promotion provides different terms.

Certification Validity and Renewal Options

Passing the 300-515 SPVI exam earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Service Provider VPN Services Implementation 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 SPVI exam fee is USD 300, 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 SPVI 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 354 (USD 300 + USD 54 GST).

Prerequisites

Cisco publishes no formal prerequisite for the 300-515 SPVI exam. To earn CCNP Service Provider, candidates must pass the 350-501 SPCOR core exam and one eligible concentration exam such as SPVI.

• Candidates should understand MPLS, BGP, MP-BGP, VRFs, route distinguishers and route targets, PE-CE routing, pseudowires, Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs, EVPN, multicast VPNs, inter-AS services, and IPv6 VPN technologies.
• Preparation should combine the official SPVI 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 300-515 SPVI exam, but completing a specific course is not an exam prerequisite.

Exam Topics

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

• VPN Architecture - 25%: MPLS VPN control and data planes, provider-edge and customer-edge roles, VRFs, route distinguishers, route targets, MP-BGP, label operations, service models, and scalability.
• Layer 2 VPNs - 30%: Pseudowires, VPWS, VPLS, EVPN, EVPN VPWS, integrated routing and bridging, multihoming, signaling, forwarding, implementation, verification, and troubleshooting.
• Layer 3 VPNs - 35%: MPLS Layer 3 VPNs, PE-CE routing, route exchange, inter-AS options, carrier supporting carrier, shared services, extranet connectivity, multicast VPNs, and troubleshooting.
• IPv6 VPNs - 10%: IPv6 VPN architecture and implementation, 6VPE, IPv6 reachability exchange, labels, VRFs, and verification in provider environments.
• Implementation Emphasis: SPVI tests the ability to configure, verify, and troubleshoot VPN control planes and forwarding behavior across multiple service models.
• Service Integration: The current blueprint connects MPLS, MP-BGP, EVPN, routing policy, multihoming, multicast, and IPv6 to the delivery of scalable customer VPN services.

Intended Audience

The 300-515 SPVI exam is designed for professionals who design, implement, operate, monitor, or support modern service provider environments, including:

• Service Provider VPN Engineers
• MPLS Network Engineers
• EVPN Engineers
• Service Delivery Engineers
• Network Operations Engineers
• Service Provider Consultants
• CCNP Service Provider Candidates

Career Opportunities

Passing the 300-515 SPVI exam supports specialist roles aligned with the knowledge and practical skills in the current blueprint, including:

• Service Provider VPN Engineer
• MPLS Services Engineer
• EVPN Network Engineer
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 Services Engineer
• Network Service Delivery Specialist
• Service Provider Solutions Consultant

Average Salary (Approximate)

Cisco does not publish salary data for SPVI 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 SPVI exam registration, candidates can review the delivery methods available for the 300-515 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 300-515, 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 SPVI exam registration:

• Open Cisco's official exam scheduling portal and sign in with the Cisco account linked to the certification profile.
• Select the 300-515 SPVI 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 300-515 SPVI as an active CCNP Service Provider concentration exam.
• Pay the SPVI exam fee, apply an eligible voucher, or redeem Cisco Learning Credits, then save the appointment confirmation.

After Passing the Exam

After passing the 300-515 SPVI exam, review the pass/fail result and certification record in Cisco CertMetrics.

• Passing earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Service Provider VPN Services Implementation certification and satisfies an applicable concentration 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 the current 350-501 SPCOR core exam within Cisco's applicable written-exam validity window.

Why the 300-515 SPVI Exam Is Worth It

• Earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Service Provider VPN Services Implementation certification
• Satisfies an applicable concentration exam requirement
• Validates current Cisco service provider expertise
• Demonstrates focused knowledge aligned with the official SPVI syllabus