What Is the CCNA? An Entry-Level Networking Certification

What is a CCNA certification?

The CCNA—which stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate—is an entry-level information technology (IT) certification from networking hardware company Cisco. The CCNA validates your knowledge of fundamental networking concepts often requested in networking roles in IT.

Consider these key facts about CCNA certification:

• To get the CCNA certification, you’ll have to pass one exam, the 200-301 CCNA.

• Taking the CCNA exam costs $300, plus tax.

• You don’t have to fulfill any prerequisites to take the exam, but Cisco recommends training and some experience with computer networks.

• CCNA is a commonly requested IT certification, with over 4,290 job listings on Glassdoor and 2,000 on Indeed that mention the certification in the US as of November 2024.

An online course like the Network Automation Engineering Fundamentals Specialization can be a good starting point to learn broadly about network fundamentals as you consider IT certifications such as the CCNA. Learn more about earning your CCNA certification.

How much is the CCNA exam?

The CCNA exam costs $300, plus tax. You can also use Cisco Learning Credits to purchase the exam. These are prepaid credits a company might buy so that their employees can tailor how to spend the credits on the Cisco platform to their preferences.

Trying to cut back on costs? If you think a CCNA certification can be beneficial to your employer, consider approaching your manager to see if the company will pay for the exam or exam training costs (or both).

What salary could I earn with the CCNA certification?

Below, find some job titles that can request CCNA certifications and how much they make on average in the US. CCNA certifications can be useful in landing both entry-level and higher-level networking positions.

CCNA vs. CompTIA Network+

Like the CCNA, the CompTIA Network+ is a certification that will test your networking knowledge, and professionals often acquire it hoping to advance their networking skills. Consider these key differences:

• Unlike the CCNA, the CompTIA Network+ certification is vendor neutral. This means that it helps you prepare to work with any network device or system, regardless of what vendor it came from. The CCNA, meanwhile, tests you exclusively on Cisco products and tools.

• The Network+ certification is more foundational than the CCNA. The CCNA covers more topics and goes deeper into network material than the Network+. 

So which should you choose? Many opt to take the CCNA despite it being vendor specific to Cisco because Cisco products largely dominate the networking market. Cisco had 34.8 percent of market share in Ethernet switches in the second quarter of 2024 [6]. Because Cisco products are widely used, it can be helpful to know them well. Many learners also find that the knowledge they acquire by learning on Cisco products is applicable to networking products from other vendors.

That said, because the Network+ focuses on the basics, it can be useful for those completely new to networking or who find the CCNA too difficult or comprehensive for their needs. It’s completely possible to get the Network+ and go on to earn the CCNA when you have more experience.

What other Cisco network certifications are available?

The Cisco Certification Technician (CCT) is another entry-level Cisco certification. The CCT can help you build the skills to do onsite support and maintenance of networking devices. It doesn’t explore networking concepts, however, which is likely part of the reason employers tend not to request it as often as they do the CCNA, even for entry-level IT positions.

The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is the next level above CCNA. The CCNP further has several specializations you can choose from, depending on your desired career path.

Read more: 6 Network Certifications for Your IT Career

What’s on the CCNA exam?

The 200-301 CCNA exam takes 120 minutes and is available in English and Japanese, and it breaks down as follows:

• Network fundamentals (20 percent): Network components such as routers, switches, and access points; network topology architectures; physical interfaces and cabling types; IPv4 and IPv6 configuration; IP parameters; wireless, virtualization, and switching fundamentals

• Network access (20 percent): Configuring and verifying virtual local area networks (VLANs), interswitch connectivity, Layer 2 discovery protocols, and EtherChannel; Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol operations; Cisco wireless architectures, AP modes, physical wireless local area network (WLAN) components, access point (AP) and wireless LAN controller (WLC) management access connections; and wireless local area network (LAN) access 

• IP connectivity (25 percent): Routing tables; router decision-making; configuring and verifying IPv4 and IPv6 static routing and single-area OSPFv2; first hop redundancy protocol

• IP services (10 percent): Configuring and verifying network address translation (NAT) and network time protocol (NTP); describing dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), domain name system (DNS), simple network management protocol (SNMP), and syslog features; per-hop behavior; using SSH; describing trivial fire transfer protocol (TFTP)/fire transfer protocol (FTP)

• Security fundamentals (15 percent): Security concepts such as threats and mitigation; physical access control; password policies; access control lists; Layer 2 security features; wireless security protocols

• Automation and programmability (10 percent): Comparing traditional networks with controller-based networks; automation concepts; interpreting JavaScript object notation (JSON) data

How to get the CCNA certification

In order to become CCNA certified, you’ll have to take the 200-301 CCNA exam offered by Cisco. The exam has no prerequisites, but Cisco reports that CCNA candidates generally have the following experience prior to taking the exam:

• At least one year of using and implementing Cisco products and solutions

• Basic knowledge of IP addressing

• Knowledge of network fundamentals

CCNA courses and training

Choose from many online courses that can help you prepare for the CCNA exam. There may also be in-person classes at your local community college that will do the same. 

• Cisco offers an online course called Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions to help you pass the CCNA exam. The course costs $800 [7].

• You can take the Computer Communications Specialization on Coursera for a full introduction to the world of networking, or take individual courses if you want to focus on specific skills, like transmission control protocol (TCP)/internet protocol (IP) or packet switching networks. Though the specialization doesn’t focus on the CCNA explicitly, it does cover many of the fundamentals of computer networks.

• If you need a quick refresher on networks or are still deciding if networking is for you, you might consider completing the Basics of Cisco Networking course on Coursera. You can complete this course in 13 hours.

Prepare for CCNA certification on Coursera

Earning a CCNA certification can help you prepare for a career in the networking field. If you’re learning about networks, it can be worth exploring other entry-level certifications or the Network Automation Engineering Fundamentals Specialization on Coursera. This program covers in-demand skills taught by industry professionals and network automation topics such as using application programming interfaces (APIs), DevOps, and more. Upon completion, gain a shareable Professional Certificate to include in your resume or LinkedIn profile.