CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate

Intermediate Cisco Networking

Industry standard for networking professionals. Covers routing, switching, security, and automation. Updated annually to stay current.

Quick Verdict

CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate sits at the Intermediate level — a solid next step once you have some foundational experience, without requiring the multi-year track record advanced credentials demand.

Overview

Industry standard for networking professionals. Covers routing, switching, security, and automation. Updated annually to stay current.

Key topics covered: Network fundamentals, IP connectivity & services, Security fundamentals, Automation & programmability, Wireless networking, WAN technologies.

Best suited for: Network administrators, IT infrastructure professionals, and engineers building network careers.

Common career paths: Network Engineer, Network Admin, Infrastructure Engineer, NOC Engineer, Cloud Network Engineer.

Who This Is For

Network administrators, IT infrastructure professionals, and engineers building network careers.

Exam Focus Areas

  • Network fundamentals
  • IP connectivity & services
  • Security fundamentals
  • Automation & programmability
  • Wireless networking
  • WAN technologies

Study Roadmap

Full step-by-step roadmap coming soon. See the roadmap page for updates.

Career Paths This Supports

Network EngineerNetwork AdminInfrastructure EngineerNOC EngineerCloud Network Engineer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate certification?

Industry standard for networking professionals. Covers routing, switching, security, and automation. Updated annually to stay current. offered by Cisco, focused on Networking.

Who offers the CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate certification?

CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate is issued by Cisco.

Is CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate a beginner, intermediate, or advanced certification?

CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate is classified as Intermediate-level. It generally assumes some prior foundational knowledge or entry-level experience.

How much does the CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate exam cost?

The CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate exam costs $330. Always confirm current pricing on the official Cisco certification page, as fees change periodically.

What salary can I expect with CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate?

Professionals holding CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate commonly report compensation in the $80K–$110K range, though actual pay varies by employer, geography, and total experience.

What category does CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate fall under?

CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate is categorized under Networking on CertPlanet, alongside other related certifications you can compare directly.

Is CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate worth pursuing in 2026?

That depends on your current experience level and goals — as an Intermediate-level credential, it works well once you have some foundational experience but haven't yet formalized it.

How does CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate compare to similar certifications?

See the dedicated comparison page for CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate to view it side-by-side against alternative certifications in Networking.

Where do I register for the CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate exam?

Registration happens directly through Cisco's official certification portal, linked from this page.

What's the best way to prepare for CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate?

A structured, step-by-step study roadmap for CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate is available on this site, built around the exam's actual focus areas rather than a generic study checklist.