Cisco CCNA Exam Cost 2026: Full Breakdown
Planning to earn your Cisco CCNA certification in 2026? The exam itself is a fixed cost, but your total investment depends on multiple factors: training method, study materials, retakes, and whether you're pursuing this in the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada. Understanding the complete cost breakdown helps you budget accurately and identify legitimate ways to save money without cutting corners on preparation quality.
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Cisco CCNA Exam Cost in 2026
Cisco lists the 200-301 CCNA exam at US$300. Applicable taxes, local currency conversion and the final amount are shown during scheduling.
Schedule the exam through Cisco's Pearson VUE testing flow. The exam voucher is not included with DiviTrain training; candidates book and pay for the certification exam separately.
Check the official Cisco CCNA exam page before booking because prices and policies can change.
CCNA Training Costs by Provider Type
Your exam voucher cost ($300) is separate from training costs. The type of training provider you choose dramatically impacts your total investment. Here's a realistic breakdown by training method:
Self-Study with Free Resources
- Cost: $0–$100 (if you buy a used textbook)
- Includes: YouTube videos, Cisco documentation, free online forums
- Best for: Candidates with existing networking knowledge, unlimited study time, and high self-discipline
- Risk: Free resources may leave practical or exam-domain gaps if they are not mapped to the current Cisco blueprint
Budget Training Platforms
- Cost: $50–$200
- Includes: Video lectures, some practice questions, limited support
- Examples: Udemy (with sales), CompTIA A+ training overlap content
- Best for: Learners with networking foundations looking for supplementary material
Comprehensive Online Training Courses
- Cost: $400–$800
- Includes: Full video curriculum, interactive lessons, practice exams, tutor support, 6–12 months access
- Examples: DiviTrain CCNA course, Pluralsight, A Cloud Guru
- Best for: Working professionals, beginners in networking, candidates seeking structured learning
Bootcamps and Instructor-Led Training
- Cost: $1,200–$3,500
- Includes: In-person or live virtual instruction, daily mentoring, intensive curriculum (2–4 weeks)
- Best for: Career changers, learners who thrive with accountability, those with budget flexibility
University or College Programs
- Cost: $2,000–$8,000+ per semester
- Includes: Accredited degree pathway, structured labs, instructor support, campus resources
- Best for: Students seeking a degree, those eligible for student loans or employer sponsorship
CCNA Pricing in the US, UK and Canada
Cisco publishes the exam price as US$300. The amount charged in the United Kingdom, Canada and other markets can vary because of local taxes and currency conversion. Use the Pearson VUE scheduling flow to confirm the final local amount before budgeting or purchasing.
Retake Fees and Waiting Period
Each failed CCNA attempt requires a new exam payment. Cisco states that candidates who fail an Associate-level written exam must wait five calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before retesting for the same exam.
Cisco does not publish an official CCNA pass rate in the sources reviewed. Treat third-party pass-rate percentages as estimates, not verified facts.
How to Reduce Retake Risk
- Complete the exam blueprint and practical lab objectives.
- Use timed practice exams to identify weak domains.
- Book the exam only when your practice results are consistently strong.
- Check the current Cisco exam policies before scheduling.
Hidden Costs You Shouldn't Overlook
Beyond the exam voucher and training course, several secondary costs often surprise candidates. Plan for these to avoid budget overruns:
Practice Exam Costs
MeasureUp (the official Cisco practice exam provider) offers two formats:
- Practice Exam Bundle (2 exams, 60 days access): $90–$130
- Individual Practice Exam: $50–$70
Alternative providers (Boson ExSim, Kaplan, Transcender) charge $60–$150. Some comprehensive training bundles include MeasureUp access, so check before purchasing separately.
Study Materials and Textbooks
- Official Cisco Press CCNA Study Guide: $45–$70 (physical or digital)
- Lab study guides and supplementary books: $20–$50
- Digital access to Cisco documentation: Usually free, but some advanced resources require a subscription
Testing Center Costs
- Testing center fees: Included in your $300 voucher (no additional testing center cost)
- Travel and accommodation (if not local): $50–$300+ depending on location
- Proctored exam software (OnVUE remote testing): Free if taking at a center; no extra cost for remote
Time Investment (Opportunity Cost)
While not a direct expense, study time represents an opportunity cost. Most candidates invest 100–150 hours to prepare for CCNA. At $25–$50/hour professional rates, this represents $2,500–$7,500 in "lost productive time." This is why choosing efficient training matters.
Certification Maintenance (Years 2–3)
- CCNA validity period: 3 years from pass date
- Renewal option 1: Retake the full exam ($300)
- Renewal option 2: Earn a higher Cisco certification (CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Data Center, etc.) to automatically renew CCNA
- Renewal option 3: Complete continuing education credits (often free through Cisco Learning Network)
How to Control Your CCNA Certification Cost
- Confirm the current exam price and taxes in the official scheduling flow.
- Use the Cisco exam blueprint to identify which training resources you actually need.
- Compare course access duration, labs, practice exams and support rather than price alone.
- Use a readiness assessment before booking to reduce the risk of paying for an avoidable retake.
- Ask your employer whether certification training is eligible for reimbursement.
Avoid unauthorized voucher sellers and any provider promising a guaranteed pass.
DiviTrain CCNA Training
DiviTrain offers a separate CCNA 200-301 training product with the current price and exact inclusions shown on the product page. Depending on the verified product configuration, training resources can include video learning, practical labs, practice exams and expert tutor support available 24/7.
The Cisco exam voucher is not included. Candidates schedule and pay for the official exam separately.
View the current CCNA training details.
CCNA Certification Cost Compared to Other Networking Certifications
Understanding how CCNA pricing compares to alternative networking certifications helps you make an informed career investment decision.
CompTIA Network+ vs. CCNA
- CompTIA Network+ exam cost: $370 USD
- Network+ training range: $300–$700
- Total typical investment: $670–$1,070
- Career positioning: Network+ is entry-level; CCNA is industry-recognized for advanced networking roles
- Salary difference (US average): Network+ ($55,000–$70,000) vs. CCNA ($75,000–$95,000)
While Network+ costs slightly less, CCNA offers superior salary prospects and vendor credibility. For career advancement in networking, CCNA ROI typically exceeds Network+.
CCNA vs. Cisco CCNP Enterprise
- CCNP Enterprise exam cost: $300 USD (same as CCNA)
- CCNP training range: $600–$1,500 (more advanced material)
- Total typical investment: $930–$1,830
- Prerequisite: CCNA is required before attempting CCNP
- Salary difference (US average): CCNA ($75,000–$95,000) vs. CCNP ($100,000–$130,000)
Strategic note: Many candidates pursue CCNA first ($650–$1,100 total investment), then CCNP within 12–18 months. Total 2-year investment for both certifications is typically $1,500–$2,500, delivering strong ROI through significantly higher salary potential.
CCNA vs. Cloud Certifications (AWS, Microsoft Azure)
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam cost: $150 USD
- AWS training range: $100–$600
- Total typical investment: $250–$750
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam cost: $99 USD
- Azure training range: $200–$500
- Total typical investment: $299–$599
Cloud certifications have lower exam costs but narrower job market applicability. CCNA remains more universally required for traditional enterprise networking roles. Candidates often pursue CCNA + cloud certifications for comprehensive career flexibility.
Learn more about the most in-demand certifications to understand how CCNA fits your career roadmap.
Real-World CCNA Cost Examples
Example 1: Self-Funded Professional in the US
- DiviTrain CCNA course bundle: $650
- MeasureUp practice exams (included): $0
- Study guide book: $50
- Total cost (first attempt): $700
- If retake needed: $700 + $300 = $1,030
- Most likely scenario: $700–$1,030 total investment
Example 2: UK Candidate with Employer Support
- DiviTrain CCNA course (employer funded): £450 ($600 USD)
- Exam voucher (employer funded): £240 ($300 USD)
- Additional study materials: £40 ($55 USD)
- Total out-of-pocket cost: £0 (fully employer-sponsored)
- Employer investment: £730 ($975 USD)
Example 3: Canadian Career Changer Using Government Grant
- DiviTrain CCNA course (WIOA-equivalent grant): $650 CAD covered
- Exam voucher (career development fund): $450 CAD covered
- Optional bootcamp workshop (self-paid): $200 CAD
- Total out-of-pocket cost: $200 CAD
- Total program value: $1,300 CAD, with 85% grant coverage
Career Value of CCNA
CCNA can support networking and infrastructure career development, but salary and job outcomes vary by location, experience, role and employer. DiviTrain does not guarantee employment, promotion, salary growth or exam success.
Evaluate the certification against current job requirements in your target market before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the CCNA 200-301 exam cost?
Cisco currently lists the exam at US$300. Taxes and local currency conversion may change the final amount.
Is the exam voucher included with DiviTrain training?
No. The certification exam is booked and paid for separately through the official Cisco/Pearson VUE process.
How long must I wait after failing the exam?
Cisco states that candidates who fail an Associate-level written exam must wait five calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before retesting for the same exam.
Does Cisco publish an official CCNA pass rate?
No official CCNA pass rate was found in the Cisco sources reviewed. Third-party percentages should not be treated as verified.
How can I check whether I am ready?
Use the exam blueprint, practical labs and timed practice results to identify weak areas. The CCNA CertReady Scorecard provides a structured readiness assessment.
Final Recommendation: Budgeting for Success
The CCNA certification delivers exceptional ROI, but smart budgeting increases your likelihood of success. Here's our recommendation for minimizing costs while maximizing pass probability:
Recommended Path: Balanced Investment
- Choose a comprehensive training course: $400–$700 (like DiviTrain CCNA)
- Exam purchase: Book and pay separately through the official Cisco/Pearson VUE process.
- Budget for one additional practice exam set: $0 (if included) or $50–$130
- Allocate contingency for potential retake: $300 (even though 75% pass on first attempt)
- Total realistic budget: $700–$1,100
Success Factors to Protect Your Investment
- Study for 100–150 hours minimum before scheduling your exam
- Score 80%+ on practice exams before attempting the real exam
- Use expert tutor support when concepts are unclear (included 24/7 support is often underutilized)
- Schedule your exam when ready, not by arbitrary deadlines
- Review weak topic areas using available resources before your attempt
Your final cost depends on the training resources you choose and whether a retake is required. No provider can guarantee a first-attempt pass.
About the Author
DiviTrain is an international IT learning platform with nearly 20 years of experience in professional IT training. Our courses are developed by Skillsoft, the global leader in enterprise learning, ensuring high-quality, industry-relevant content. You get access to expert tutor support available 24/7, official MeasureUp practice exams, and a learning experience backed by DiviTrain's commitment to your certification success. Whether you're pursuing your first certification or advancing your career in networking and IT infrastructure, DiviTrain provides the complete tools, guidance, and support you need to succeed.
