CCNA Cost 2026: $300 Exam Fee + Your Real Total Budget
The Cisco CCNA 200-301 exam costs $300 USD plus local tax. That is the only required fee. Most self-study candidates spend $375–$500 in total, about $600–$800 with paid practice and labs, and $3,500–$5,000+ with instructor-led training. A retake costs another $300, or you can buy Cisco's Associate Exam Safeguard for $375, which includes a second attempt.
| CCNA cost | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| CCNA 200-301 exam fee | $300 plus tax |
| Retake (no voucher) | $300 plus tax |
| Associate Exam Safeguard (exam + one retake) | $375 |
| Lean self-study total | About $375–$500 |
| Self-study with paid practice and labs | About $600–$800 |
| Instructor-led training route | About $3,500–$5,000+ |
| Renewal (every 3 years) | $0–$300+, depending on the path |
Last reviewed October 14, 2026. Cisco prices exams in USD; Pearson VUE charges in local currency and adds VAT, GST or sales tax, so confirm the final amount at checkout.
Before you pay $300, check you're ready. Take a free CCNA practice test to see which domains need work and avoid paying for a retake.
Does the CCNA Price Change With v2.0 in 2027?
Cisco is replacing the current CCNA v1.1 exam with CCNA 200-301 v2.0 on February 3, 2027; February 2, 2027 is the last day to take v1.1. The exam code stays 200-301 and the exam is still 120 minutes. Cisco has not announced a price change for v2.0, so plan on $300 plus tax and check the price on Cisco's exam page before you book.
The version matters more for your study budget than for the exam fee:
Testing on or before February 2, 2027: v1.1 study materials are mature and widely discounted.
Testing on or after February 3, 2027: buy only materials written for v2.0. The blueprint moves from six domains to five, adds an AI and network operations domain, and makes troubleshooting from device output central. Older v1.1 books and question banks will leave gaps.
See CCNA v2.0 vs v1.1: what changes, or try the free CCNA v2.0 practice test.
CCNA Exam Fee: $300 Plus Tax
The Cisco 200-301 CCNA exam costs $300 USD plus applicable tax. It is a 120-minute exam, and passing it earns the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification, valid for three years.
Where to book: through Cisco's exam registration, with delivery by Pearson VUE online or at a test center.
How to pay: credit card, an authorized voucher, or Cisco Learning Credits, depending on your region.
Local price: VAT, GST, sales tax and currency conversion are added at checkout, so your total can be noticeably higher than $300 outside the US.
No required course: Cisco does not require training or prerequisites before you book the CCNA.
Three Realistic CCNA Budgets
1. Lean Self-Study: About $375–$500
Exam: $300 plus tax
One current study guide or video course: about $50–$100
Labs with Packet Tracer or CML-Free: $0
Practice questions: about $15–$100
Best for: self-directed learners who can follow a plan. Use the CCNA cheat sheet for review and the CCNA practice tests to decide when to book.
2. Self-Study With Paid Practice and Labs: About $600–$800
Exam: $300 plus tax
Books or structured online training: about $75–$200
Premium practice exams: about $50–$150
Cisco Modeling Labs Personal: $199 per year
Best for: candidates who want real Cisco images, larger topologies and more troubleshooting practice before test day.
3. Instructor-Led Training: About $3,500–$5,000+
Cisco's official course, Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA), through a learning partner: usually several thousand dollars
Exam: $300 plus tax unless the package includes a voucher
Travel, lodging and extra practice: varies
Best for: employer-funded learners and anyone who needs scheduled classes and live instructor support.
CCNA Course Fees: What's Worth Paying For
You need three things, not every resource on the market: a complete explanation of the exam topics, hands-on configuration practice, and a reliable way to measure readiness.
Books and video courses ($50–$200): the Cisco Press Official Cert Guide or a reputable video course gives you the main learning path. Check which version it covers: v1.1 if you test by February 2, 2027, v2.0 after that.
Practice tests ($15–$150): choose questions that explain every answer and show your score by domain. Start with one platform and add another only if you need a different question style near exam day. Compare options in our top CCNA practice tests.
Instructor-led courses ($3,000+): prices vary widely by learning partner and country. Compare what's included: exam voucher, lab access, recordings, instructor time and retake protection.
CCNA Lab Costs: Free vs. Paid
| Lab option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Packet Tracer | Free | Most CCNA-level configuration practice |
| CML-Free | Free | Small labs with a few real Cisco nodes |
| GNS3 | Free software | Flexible topologies; device images are licensed separately |
| CML Personal | $199 per year | Up to 20 Cisco nodes |
| CML Personal Plus | $349 per year | Up to 40 Cisco nodes for larger topologies |
Cisco Modeling Labs Personal editions are now sold through Cisco U. Start with Packet Tracer or CML-Free and upgrade only when a lab you need won't fit.
CCNA Retake Cost and the $375 Exam Safeguard
If you fail, a retake normally costs the full $300 plus tax again. Under Cisco's exam retake policy, you must wait five calendar days after a failed Associate-level attempt before retesting.
Cisco's Associate Exam Safeguard costs $375 and includes a second attempt if the first one fails. You must schedule and complete both attempts within 90 days of purchase.
Is the Safeguard worth it? It costs $75 more than a single attempt and saves $300 if you need a retake. That makes it worth buying if you think your chance of failing the first time is above 25%, and only if you can sit the exam within the 90-day window. A practice-test score consistently above your target is the best way to judge that risk before you pay.
CCNA Discounts and Vouchers
Cisco Networking Academy: eligible NetAcad learners may get certification discounts; check your NetAcad account or ask your instructor.
Employer funding: ask whether your employer covers vouchers, training or Cisco Learning Credits.
Authorized sources only: buy vouchers from Cisco, Pearson VUE or an authorized partner. Cisco can sanction candidates who use unauthorized vouchers.
Check the fine print: confirm the expiry date, exam number and country before you buy or accept a voucher.
Hidden CCNA Costs
Tax and currency conversion: often the biggest surprise outside the US.
Missed or late-changed appointments: missing your exam or changing it too close to the date can forfeit the full fee; check the deadline in your confirmation email.
Online testing setup: a working webcam, stable internet and a private, clear room.
Travel to a test center: transport, parking and possibly a hotel.
Forgotten subscriptions: cancel lab, video and practice subscriptions after the exam.
How Much Does CCNA Renewal Cost?
CCNA is valid for three years and there is no flat renewal fee. Your cost depends on how you recertify:
Continuing Education: earn 30 CE credits during the three years. Costs vary from free activities to paid courses.
Pass an exam: passing an eligible Associate-level exam (such as the CCNA again, $300) renews it.
Move up: earning or renewing a qualifying higher-level Cisco certification also renews CCNA.
Is the CCNA Worth the Cost?
CCNA skills match roles such as network support specialist, NOC technician, network administrator and junior network engineer. The certificate strengthens a resume but doesn't guarantee a job or salary; experience, location and hands-on ability matter as much. For current pay data, see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics pages for network and computer systems administrators and computer support specialists; those are occupation-wide medians, not starting salaries.
To get the most from the $300, keep your lab topologies and troubleshooting notes. They show employers what you can actually do.
How to Keep Your CCNA Cost Down
Pick your exam version first: v1.1 by February 2, 2027 or v2.0 after, and buy materials for that version only.
Use Packet Tracer or CML-Free before paying for lab software.
Check NetAcad, employer and authorized voucher options early.
Let practice results decide what else to buy.
Book only when you score consistently under timed conditions.
Buy the $375 Safeguard only if your first-attempt risk is real and you can test within 90 days.
For most self-funded candidates, the best value is one current study resource, free labs, one reliable practice platform and the exam fee. See the FlashGenius CCNA hub to plan your next steps.
CCNA Cost FAQs
How much does the CCNA exam cost in 2026?
The Cisco CCNA 200-301 exam costs $300 USD plus applicable tax. Pearson VUE charges in local currency, so the final amount varies by country.
Will the CCNA cost more after February 2027?
Cisco has not announced a price change for CCNA v2.0, which replaces v1.1 on February 3, 2027. The exam code stays 200-301. Check Cisco's exam page for the current price before booking.
Is $300 the total cost of CCNA certification?
$300 plus tax is the only required cost. With a study guide, free labs and practice questions, most self-study candidates spend about $375–$500 in total.
How much is a CCNA retake?
A retake costs another $300 plus tax, and you must wait five calendar days after a failed attempt. The $375 Associate Exam Safeguard includes one retake if both attempts are completed within 90 days of purchase.
How much are CCNA course fees?
Books and video courses cost about $50–$200, practice exams $15–$150, and instructor-led courses usually $3,000 or more. Cisco does not require a course before the exam.
Can students get a CCNA discount?
Eligible Cisco Networking Academy learners may qualify for certification discounts. Check your NetAcad account or ask your instructor for the current offer.
How much does CCNA renewal cost?
There's no flat fee. CCNA is valid for three years and renews through 30 Continuing Education credits, passing an eligible exam (such as the CCNA again for $300), or earning a higher Cisco certification.
Don't pay for the exam twice.
Practice by domain, run timed mixed tests and full exam simulations, and review every missed concept for CCNA v1.1 or the new v2.0.