CCNA exam cost, the two-ID check and the retake rules
Cisco publishes the CCNA exam fee as US$300 per attempt, plus any tax, or Cisco Learning Credits. Bring two signed IDs, one a government photo ID, with your name matching exactly. A failed attempt means a five-day wait and a full fee. After a pass you must wait at least 180 days before sitting the same exam number again.
The most avoidable CCNA failure happens before the exam begins: a candidate who arrives with one ID and is turned away.
The bill, line by line
| Category | Notes |
|---|---|
| Exam fee, per attempt | US$300 plus any tax, or Cisco Learning Credits |
| Course, Cisco U. or Networking Academy class | Free through Networking Academy, paid on other routes |
| Lab | Free Packet Tracer, a paid simulator or second-hand equipment |
| One practice-test source | Choose one and use it thoroughly |
| A retake | Paid in full, if needed |
| Travel or online set-up | A journey to a centre, or a webcam and a cleared room |
| Continuing education | For renewal every three years |
The amount in your own currency depends on exchange rates and tax. Check the price shown when you book with Pearson VUE.
Three budgets
- Economy. A free Networking Academy course or self-study, free Packet Tracer and one practice-test source.
- Standard. Adds a paid course or a Cisco U. path.
- Intensive. Adds an instructor-led course.
They differ in training and labs, never in the exam fee. In every budget, keep a reserve for a second attempt. If you work for a Cisco partner, ask whether your employer holds Cisco Learning Credits, which can pay the fee.
Who can sit the exam
CCNA has no prerequisites. Candidates must be at least 13 years old. Those aged 13 to 17 may test with a parent or guardian's consent, and if the result should count towards certification, the parent or guardian must sign the candidate agreement and send it to Cisco before scheduling.
The two-ID check
Cisco's policy asks for two forms of identification for written exams, both bearing your signature. One must be a government-issued photo ID. The name on both must match your Cisco certification profile and your Pearson VUE booking.
Put your IDs side by side before you book and check three things on each: the name, the signature and the expiry date. The book describes a candidate living on a residence permit who took his passport as the government photo ID and a signed bank card as the second, and registered his name exactly as printed on both.
Booking in five steps
- Create your Cisco account and certification profile, with your name exactly as on both IDs.
- Choose 200-301 CCNA, your version and your language. The exam is offered in English and Japanese.
- Schedule with Pearson VUE: a test centre or online, on a date that fits the end of your plan.
- Pay US$300 plus any tax, or use Cisco Learning Credits or a voucher, after checking the expiry date and which exams it covers.
- Save the confirmation and set reminders for a week, a day and an hour before.
Retakes and the 180-day rule
If you fail, Cisco's policy requires you to wait five calendar days before you retake, and you pay the full fee again. If you pass, you must wait at least 180 days before sitting the same exam number again.
During the v1.1 to v2.0 changeover, the five-day wait matters. A fail on 29 January 2027 means the retake falls on 3 February, when only v2.0 exists. See the calendar article in this blog.
Rescheduling
Rescheduling and cancellation happen in your Pearson VUE account, under the deadlines it shows for your appointment. Check them the day you book and avoid changes close to exam day.
If something fails mid-exam
Online, run the system test again on the day, clear your desk and walls and close every other application. If your session fails, contact Pearson VUE the same day with your registration number and a photo of the screen. The book describes a candidate who did this and received a new appointment at no charge.
Check the names on your two IDs today. It takes two minutes and removes the likeliest cause of a wasted exam fee.
Questions readers ask
How much does the CCNA exam cost?
What ID do I need for the CCNA exam?
How long must I wait to retake?
This article is independent and is not endorsed by Cisco. Facts change: confirm them on the official page before you act.