For the CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) certification, Cisco requires candidates to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the field of network engineering by passing relevant exams. While practical experience is helpful in obtaining the CCNP certification, it is not mandatory.The CCNP certification focuses on evaluating a candidate's technical skills through a series of exams. These exams cover a wide range of networking topics, including routing, switching, security, wireless networking, and more. By taking and successfully completing these exams, candidates can earn CCNP certification. While hands-on experience can provide candidates with an understanding and application of real-world networking environments, it is not required to earn CCNP certification. Candidates can prepare for and sit for the relevant exams through independent study, attending training courses, and reading official documents. However, knowledge and familiarity with real-world network environments can be very helpful in understanding the concepts and techniques used in the CCNP exams. Hands-on experience can help candidates better understand and apply what they have learned, and support them in better meeting real-world networking challenges in their careers. Therefore, while hands-on experience is not a mandatory requirement for CCNP certification, it is an important addition that helps candidates succeed in obtaining certification and applying what they have learned in the real world.