Cisco · Professional Certification · Associate
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Crydd Score 85
Demand Stable
Career Value High
Recognition High
CCNA at a glance
- Provider
- Cisco
- Credential type
- Professional Certification
- Exam required
- Yes
- Category
- Networking
- Level
- Associate
- Cost
- $300
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Time to earn
- 3–4 months
- Validity
- 3 years
- Format
- Single exam (200-301), about 120 minutes
- Prerequisites
- None required; one year of networking experience recommended
What is CCNA?
Cisco's associate certification validates practical networking: IP connectivity and services, network access, security fundamentals, and automation basics. It's the benchmark credential for network careers.
Skills it covers
- Routing and switching
- IP services
- Network security fundamentals
- Network automation basics
Is CCNA worth it? The Crydd Verdict
CS 85Choose it if
You want to be a network engineer. CCNA's depth and Cisco's brand make it the strongest single signal for dedicated networking roles.
Consider alternatives if
You need networking as background rather than as the career itself — Network+ covers the fundamentals with a lighter study load.
Why we say so
Harder and more hands-on than vendor-neutral alternatives, which is exactly why network-focused employers trust it more.
Market demand
Core network engineering demand is stable, with CCNA remaining the most-cited certification in network engineer listings.
Where CCNA takes you
- Network Engineer
- Systems Administrator
Career roadmaps show where this certification fits in each path. See the roadmaps.
Related certifications
Curated connections from the catalog — each labelled with how it relates to CCNA, so you know why it’s here.
