Is the CWAP Worth It?

Should you become a CWAP-404 certified wireless network engineer? The certification is highly regarded in the industry. Certified wireless network engineers are in high demand and their salaries reflect that. They can earn between $60,000 USD as a break/fix tech to $200,000+ a year, in a senior role. 

That said, it is one of the more expensive and challenging certifications. So, is the CWAP worth it? Let’s discuss this today. 

What is the CWNP Wireless Analysis Professional (CWAP-404) certification?

The CWAP is governed by CWNP (Certified Wireless Network Professionals) group, and the CWAP verifies that qualified network engineers fully understand how to manage, fix, and deploy wireless networks. 

What Does the CWAP Certification Test for?

Here’s a quick overview of the five knowledge domains the CWAP-404 exam test for:

• 802.11 Physical (PHY) Layer Frame Formats and Technologies

• 802.11 MAC Layer Frame Formats and Technologies

• 802.11 Operation and Frame Exchanges

• Spectrum Analysis and Troubleshooting

• Protocol Analysis and Troubleshooting

According to the CWAP documentation, these domains translate to the following study path.

• Protocol Analysis. This section of the test accounts for 15% of the exam. This test section will verify that candidates understand various parts of the 802.11 protocols. 

• Spectrum Analysis. This part of the test accounts for 10% of the exam. This section will examine whether candidates understand the intricacies of RF technologies, how to identify issues, and how to remediate them. 

• PHY Layers and Technologies. This section of the test accounts for 10% of the exam. This section will test for knowledge of the physical layer of a wireless network. You will need to understand how the first four layers of the OSI model relate to wireless networking. 

• MAC Sublayer and Functions. This section of the test accounts for 25% of the exam. It will ensure that candidates understand everything related to frame encapsulation and aggregation, frame management and capture, control frames, data formats, and more. 

• WLAN Medium Access. This section of the test accounts for 10% of the exam. This section of the CWAP-404 examines whether candidates understand algorithms used for wireless networks such as DCF, EDCA, and WMM. 

• 802.11 Frame Exchanges. This section of the test accounts for 30% of the exam. This is the most intricate part of the exam. It will test for subjects such as understanding authentication and authorization, cryptographic technologies used with wireless networks, security mechanisms, roaming behaviors, MIMO technologies, and MAC-related subjects that do not fit into other sections.  

Related: Why You Should Get Wireless-Certified in 2023.

How Much Does the CWAP Certification Exam Cost?

Currently, the listed price to take the CWAP-404 test is $324.99. However, that price may vary slightly depending on the location where the test is proctored. 

Testing is proctored through Pearson Vue in conjunction with Certitrek. The current CWAP-404 exam can be taken at home via Pearson’s OnVue platform. Currently, once earned, the CWAP certification is valid for three years. However, recertification does require a valid CWAP credential and passing the most current CWAP exam at the time of recertification. 

The CWAP-404 exam is expected to expire in September 2024. At that time, the CWAP-405 exam will take its place. 

Who Should Take the CWAP Certification Exam?

The CWAP certification is an excellent addition to all network engineers’ toolboxes. Working on wireless networks is a direct extension of managing the physical network within the business environment. 

Wireless networks have become complicated and are being extended as technology progresses to handle various use cases not imagined twenty years ago. Likewise, the technology that powers wireless networks, such as multiple types of radio transmitters and cryptographic algorithms for security, has evolved, too. As a result, deploying and managing a wireless network has a lot of moving pieces to it.

The CWAP certification demonstrates that IT techs understand how to manage, fix, and deploy wireless networks tailored to the use case of the business they are working for. 

Any qualified IT tech seeking to earn the CWAP certification needs a valid CWNA credential. In addition, it’s recommended that candidates have at least two years of experience working with enterprise-level networks or wireless networks. 

Is the CWAP Certification Worth it?

There is a good chance that all network engineers will need to manage the wireless network in the enterprise environment at some point in their careers. By earning the CWAP certification, engineers can demonstrate that they understand how to perform site surveys, fix wireless network issues, secure wireless networks, and extend wireless networks to accommodate various technologies, such as localized 5G networks and IoT devices. 

Are you ready to start studying for the CWAP exam and become a certified wireless professional? If so, begin with Jeff Kish’s certified wireless professional course at CBT Nuggets. 

Not a CBT Nuggets subscriber? Sign up for a one-week no-strings-attached trial to check out this course and others!