Certifications
Kubernetes certifications: CKA, CKAD and KCNA
What each exam tests, how they differ, and which to take first. Every guide follows the official curriculum and links to free practice you can do in the browser.
Side by side
| KCNA | CKAD | CKA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate | Certified Kubernetes Application Developer | Certified Kubernetes Administrator |
| Level | Entry | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Format | Online, proctored, multiple choice | Online, proctored, hands-on tasks on the command line (15 to 20 tasks) | Online, proctored, hands-on tasks on the command line (15 to 20 tasks) |
| Duration | 90 minutes | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Price | $250 (exam only) | $445 (exam only) | $445 (exam only) |
| Passing score | Not published on the official exam pages | 66% | 66% |
| Largest domain | Kubernetes Fundamentals (44%) | Application Environment, Configuration and Security (25%) | Troubleshooting (30%) |
Which one should you take first?
New to Kubernetes, or in a non-engineering role
KCNA
Multiple choice, no hands-on tasks, and it covers the vocabulary and the ecosystem. A good first step, not a job requirement on its own.
KCNA study guide →You build and ship applications that run on Kubernetes
CKAD
Hands-on tasks about Pods, Deployments, config, probes and Services, from the point of view of the person deploying the app.
CKAD study guide →You run clusters, or want DevOps, platform or SRE roles
CKA
The one most DevOps job descriptions name. It adds troubleshooting, cluster maintenance, RBAC, storage and networking.
CKA study guide →
A common path is KCNA, then CKAD or CKA, depending on whether you lean towards building applications or running clusters. CKA and CKAD share a lot, including Deployments, configuration, Services and troubleshooting, so whichever you take second goes faster. For hands-on preparation, the CKA practice lab runs exam-style tasks in your browser.
Study guides
- KCNAKCNA Study Guide: Pass the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate ExamWhat the KCNA covers in each domain, the concepts behind its multiple-choice questions, a three-week study plan, and whether it is worth taking before the CKA.
- CKADCKAD Study Guide: How to Pass the Kubernetes Application Developer ExamA practical CKAD study guide: what each domain tests, the kubectl and YAML for probes, config, multi-container Pods and rollouts, and a five-week plan.
- CKACKA Study Guide: How to Pass the Certified Kubernetes Administrator ExamEverything on the CKA exam, domain by domain: what each one tests, the kubectl commands to know, a six-week study plan, exam-day tips and free browser practice.