diff --git a/.travis/script.sh b/.travis/script.sh
index 29d3b6f37..3d2d93ab5 100755
--- a/.travis/script.sh
+++ b/.travis/script.sh
@@ -71,7 +71,8 @@ python --version || die
         -DOPENTHREAD_CONFIG_JOINER_ENABLE=1 \
         -DOPENTHREAD_CONFIG_LINK_RAW_ENABLE=1 \
         -DOPENTHREAD_CONFIG_MAC_FILTER_ENABLE=1 \
-        -DOPENTHREAD_CONFIG_NCP_UART_ENABLE=1"
+        -DOPENTHREAD_CONFIG_NCP_UART_ENABLE=1 \
+        -DOPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE=1"
 
     scan-build ./configure                \
         --enable-builtin-mbedtls=no       \
@@ -87,7 +88,6 @@ python --version || die
         --enable-ncp                      \
         --enable-radio-only               \
         --enable-service                  \
-        --enable-sntp-client              \
         --enable-udp-forward              \
         --with-examples=posix || die
 
@@ -108,7 +108,6 @@ python --version || die
         --enable-ncp                      \
         --enable-radio-only               \
         --enable-service                  \
-        --enable-sntp-client              \
         --enable-udp-forward              \
         --with-examples=posix || die
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 1d645b71d..f1c2966ff 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -946,36 +946,6 @@ AC_SUBST(OPENTHREAD_NCP_SPINEL_ENCRYPTER_LIBS)
 AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED([OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_NCP_SPINEL_ENCRYPTER],[${OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_NCP_SPINEL_ENCRYPTER}],[Define to 1 if using NCP Spinel Encrypter])
 AM_CONDITIONAL([OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_NCP_SPINEL_ENCRYPTER], [test "${OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_NCP_SPINEL_ENCRYPTER}" = "1"])
 
-#
-# SNTP Client
-#
-
-AC_ARG_ENABLE(sntp_client,
-    [AS_HELP_STRING([--enable-sntp-client],[Enable SNTP client support @<:@default=no@:>@.])],
-    [
-        case "${enableval}" in
-
-        no|yes)
-            enable_sntp_client=${enableval}
-            ;;
-
-        *)
-            AC_MSG_ERROR([Invalid value ${enable_sntp_client} for --enable-sntp-client])
-            ;;
-        esac
-    ],
-    [enable_sntp_client=no])
-
-if test "$enable_sntp_client" = "yes"; then
-    OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT=1
-else
-    OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT=0
-fi
-
-AC_SUBST(OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT)
-AM_CONDITIONAL([OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT], [test "${enable_sntp_client}" = "yes"])
-AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED([OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT],[${OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT}],[Define to 1 if you want to enable SNTP Client])
-
 #
 # Service
 #
@@ -1466,7 +1436,6 @@ AC_MSG_NOTICE([
   OpenThread UDP forward support            : ${enable_udp_forward}
   OpenThread Jam Detection support          : ${enable_jam_detection}
   OpenThread Legacy network support         : ${enable_legacy}
-  OpenThread SNTP Client support            : ${enable_sntp_client}
   OpenThread Service support                : ${enable_service}
   OpenThread ECDSA support                  : ${enable_ecdsa}
   OpenThread Examples                       : ${with_examples}
diff --git a/examples/common-switches.mk b/examples/common-switches.mk
index f556f3cb2..32bc0af75 100644
--- a/examples/common-switches.mk
+++ b/examples/common-switches.mk
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ COMMONCFLAGS                   += -DOPENTHREAD_CONFIG_IP6_SLAAC_ENABLE=1
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(SNTP_CLIENT),1)
-configure_OPTIONS              += --enable-sntp-client
+COMMONCFLAGS                   += -DOPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE=1
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(TIME_SYNC),1)
diff --git a/include/openthread/sntp.h b/include/openthread/sntp.h
index abafed77c..34a7817aa 100644
--- a/include/openthread/sntp.h
+++ b/include/openthread/sntp.h
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ typedef void (*otSntpResponseHandler)(void *aContext, uint64_t aTime, otError aR
 /**
  * This function sends a SNTP query.
  *
- * This function is available only if feature `OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT` is enabled.
+ * This function is available only if feature `OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE_CLIENT` is enabled.
  *
  * @param[in]  aInstance   A pointer to an OpenThread instance.
  * @param[in]  aQuery      A pointer to specify SNTP query parameters.
diff --git a/src/cli/cli.cpp b/src/cli/cli.cpp
index f98926128..8270793de 100644
--- a/src/cli/cli.cpp
+++ b/src/cli/cli.cpp
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ const struct Command Interpreter::sCommands[] = {
     {"service", &Interpreter::ProcessService},
 #endif
     {"singleton", &Interpreter::ProcessSingleton},
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     {"sntp", &Interpreter::ProcessSntp},
 #endif
     {"state", &Interpreter::ProcessState},
@@ -2857,7 +2857,7 @@ void Interpreter::ProcessSingleton(int argc, char *argv[])
     AppendResult(error);
 }
 
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
 void Interpreter::ProcessSntp(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
     otError          error = OT_ERROR_NONE;
diff --git a/src/cli/cli.hpp b/src/cli/cli.hpp
index c0b51ae8e..141fc8994 100644
--- a/src/cli/cli.hpp
+++ b/src/cli/cli.hpp
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ private:
     void ProcessRloc16(int argc, char *argv[]);
     void ProcessScan(int argc, char *argv[]);
     void ProcessSingleton(int argc, char *argv[]);
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     void ProcessSntp(int argc, char *argv[]);
 #endif
     void ProcessState(int argc, char *argv[]);
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ private:
                                   otError       aResult);
 #endif
 
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     static void HandleSntpResponse(void *aContext, uint64_t aTime, otError aResult);
 #endif
 
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ private:
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_DNS_CLIENT_ENABLE
     void HandleDnsResponse(const char *aHostname, Ip6::Address &aAddress, uint32_t aTtl, otError aResult);
 #endif
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     void HandleSntpResponse(uint64_t aTime, otError aResult);
 #endif
     static Interpreter &GetOwner(OwnerLocator &aOwnerLocator);
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ private:
     char mResolvingHostname[OT_DNS_MAX_HOSTNAME_LENGTH];
 #endif
 
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     bool mSntpQueryingInProgress;
 #endif
 
diff --git a/src/core/Makefile.am b/src/core/Makefile.am
index b4490d5c7..c17a781de 100644
--- a/src/core/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/core/Makefile.am
@@ -340,6 +340,7 @@ HEADERS_COMMON                             = \
     config/openthread-core-default-config.h  \
     config/parent_search.h                   \
     config/platform.h                        \
+    config/sntp_client.h                     \
     crypto/aes_ccm.hpp                       \
     crypto/aes_ecb.hpp                       \
     crypto/ecdsa.hpp                         \
diff --git a/src/core/api/sntp_api.cpp b/src/core/api/sntp_api.cpp
index 15fb113ec..2c1cab8ba 100644
--- a/src/core/api/sntp_api.cpp
+++ b/src/core/api/sntp_api.cpp
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 
 using namespace ot;
 
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
 otError otSntpClientQuery(otInstance *          aInstance,
                           const otSntpQuery *   aQuery,
                           otSntpResponseHandler aHandler,
diff --git a/src/core/common/instance.hpp b/src/core/common/instance.hpp
index 703b37b6f..4807b43b6 100644
--- a/src/core/common/instance.hpp
+++ b/src/core/common/instance.hpp
@@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ template <> inline Utils::JamDetector &Instance::Get(void)
 }
 #endif
 
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
 template <> inline Sntp::Client &Instance::Get(void)
 {
     return mThreadNetif.mSntpClient;
diff --git a/src/core/config/openthread-core-default-config.h b/src/core/config/openthread-core-default-config.h
index f6dae7570..5e0ef36d3 100644
--- a/src/core/config/openthread-core-default-config.h
+++ b/src/core/config/openthread-core-default-config.h
@@ -217,26 +217,6 @@
 #define OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_MAX_STATECHANGE_HANDLERS 1
 #endif
 
-/**
- * @def OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT
- *
- * Maximum time that SNTP Client waits for response in milliseconds.
- *
- */
-#ifndef OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT
-#define OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT 3000
-#endif
-
-/**
- * @def OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_MAX_RETRANSMIT
- *
- * Maximum number of retransmissions for SNTP client.
- *
- */
-#ifndef OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_MAX_RETRANSMIT
-#define OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_MAX_RETRANSMIT 2
-#endif
-
 /**
  * @def OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_STORE_FRAME_COUNTER_AHEAD
  *
diff --git a/src/core/config/sntp_client.h b/src/core/config/sntp_client.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bd8d5fa5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/config/sntp_client.h
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+/*
+ *  Copyright (c) 2019, The OpenThread Authors.
+ *  All rights reserved.
+ *
+ *  Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ *  modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *  1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *  2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *     documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *  3. Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the
+ *     names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products
+ *     derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ *  THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ *  AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ *  IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ *  ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ *  LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ *  CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ *  SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ *  INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ *  CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ *  ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ *  POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * @file
+ *   This file includes compile-time configurations for the SNTP Client.
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_H_
+#define CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_H_
+
+/**
+ * @def OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
+ *
+ * Define to 1 to enable SNTP Client support.
+ *
+ */
+#ifndef OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
+#define OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE 0
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * @def OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT
+ *
+ * Maximum time that SNTP Client waits for response in milliseconds.
+ *
+ */
+#ifndef OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT
+#define OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT 3000
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * @def OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_MAX_RETRANSMIT
+ *
+ * Maximum number of retransmissions for SNTP client.
+ *
+ */
+#ifndef OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_MAX_RETRANSMIT
+#define OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_MAX_RETRANSMIT 2
+#endif
+
+#endif // CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_H_
diff --git a/src/core/net/sntp_client.cpp b/src/core/net/sntp_client.cpp
index fd9c051cf..4c9a9ba19 100644
--- a/src/core/net/sntp_client.cpp
+++ b/src/core/net/sntp_client.cpp
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 #include "net/udp6.hpp"
 #include "thread/thread_netif.hpp"
 
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
 
 /**
  * @file
@@ -399,4 +399,4 @@ exit:
 } // namespace Sntp
 } // namespace ot
 
-#endif // OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#endif // OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
diff --git a/src/core/net/sntp_client.hpp b/src/core/net/sntp_client.hpp
index 4c518e308..7f05ac8d1 100644
--- a/src/core/net/sntp_client.hpp
+++ b/src/core/net/sntp_client.hpp
@@ -596,8 +596,8 @@ private:
      */
     enum
     {
-        kResponseTimeout = OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT,
-        kMaxRetransmit   = OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_MAX_RETRANSMIT,
+        kResponseTimeout = OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT,
+        kMaxRetransmit   = OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_MAX_RETRANSMIT,
     };
 
     Message *NewMessage(const Header &aHeader);
diff --git a/src/core/openthread-core-config.h b/src/core/openthread-core-config.h
index 2a56396b3..96753492f 100644
--- a/src/core/openthread-core-config.h
+++ b/src/core/openthread-core-config.h
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@
 #include "config/mle.h"
 #include "config/parent_search.h"
 #include "config/platform.h"
+#include "config/sntp_client.h"
 
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_COAP_SECURE_API_ENABLE || OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_BORDER_AGENT_ENABLE || \
     OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_COMMISSIONER_ENABLE || OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_JOINER_ENABLE
diff --git a/src/core/thread/thread_netif.cpp b/src/core/thread/thread_netif.cpp
index 2fd246023..221e9801d 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/thread_netif.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/thread_netif.cpp
@@ -62,9 +62,9 @@ ThreadNetif::ThreadNetif(Instance &aInstance)
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_DNS_CLIENT_ENABLE
     , mDnsClient(Get<ThreadNetif>())
 #endif // OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_DNS_CLIENT_ENABLE
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     , mSntpClient(Get<ThreadNetif>())
-#endif // OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#endif // OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     , mActiveDataset(aInstance)
     , mPendingDataset(aInstance)
     , mKeyManager(aInstance)
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ void ThreadNetif::Up(void)
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_DNS_CLIENT_ENABLE
     Get<Dns::Client>().Start();
 #endif
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     Get<Sntp::Client>().Start();
 #endif
     Get<Notifier>().Signal(OT_CHANGED_THREAD_NETIF_STATE);
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ void ThreadNetif::Down(void)
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_DNS_CLIENT_ENABLE
     Get<Dns::Client>().Stop();
 #endif
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     Get<Sntp::Client>().Stop();
 #endif
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_DTLS_ENABLE
diff --git a/src/core/thread/thread_netif.hpp b/src/core/thread/thread_netif.hpp
index 15de1e352..6c704dc1c 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/thread_netif.hpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/thread_netif.hpp
@@ -176,9 +176,9 @@ private:
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_DNS_CLIENT_ENABLE
     Dns::Client mDnsClient;
 #endif // OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_DNS_CLIENT_ENABLE
-#if OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     Sntp::Client mSntpClient;
-#endif // OPENTHREAD_ENABLE_SNTP_CLIENT
+#endif // OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_SNTP_CLIENT_ENABLE
     MeshCoP::ActiveDataset  mActiveDataset;
     MeshCoP::PendingDataset mPendingDataset;
     Ip6::Filter             mIp6Filter;