The CCNA—which stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate—is an entry-level information technology (IT) certification issued by networking hardware company Cisco. The CCNA is designed to validate your knowledge on fundamental networking concepts often requested in networking roles in IT positions.

CCNA certification proves you have what it takes to navigate the ever-changing landscape of IT. CCNA exam covers networking fundamentals, IP services, security fundamentals, automation and programmability. Designed for agility and versatility, CCNA validates that you have the skills required to manage and optimize today’s most advanced networks.

The CCNA training course and exam give you the foundation to take your career in any direction. When you certify with Cisco, you are living proof of the standard and rigor that businesses recognize and trust to meet and exceed market demands.

What’s on the CCNA exam?

The 200-301 CCNA exam takes 120 minutes and is offered in English and Japanese.

The CCNA exam breaks down as follows:

  • Network fundamentals (20%): Network components like 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%): Configuring and verifying VLANs, interswitch connectivity, Layer 2 discovery protocols, and EtherChannel; Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol operations; Cisco wireless architectures, AP modes, physical WLAN components, AP and WLC management access connections, and wireless LAN access
  • IP connectivity (25%): Routing tables; router decision-making; configuring and verifying IPv4 and IPv6 static routing and single area OSPFv2; first hop redundancy protocol
  • IP services (10%): Configuring and verifying NAT and NTP; describing DHCP, DNS, SNMP, and syslog features; per-hop behavior; using SSH; describing TFTP/FTP
  • Security fundamentals (15%): Security concepts like threats and mitigation, physical access control; password policies; access control lists; Layer 2 security features; wireless security protocols
  • Automation and programmability (10%): Comparing traditional networks with controller-based networks; automation concepts; interpreting JSON data

Possible job roles

Entry level network engineer

Help desk technician

Network administrator

Network support technician

Senior network engineer