The exam is the down payment; training and renewal are the rest of the cost. Below is what each piece actually costs, every figure sourced and dated. The exam, the training, and the renewal are separate — a course is not the certification.
See the certification itself: Cisco CCNA Automation.
What it costs
| Cost | Amount | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam fee (one-time) | $300 | 2026-06-25 | official |
| Renewal / maintenance | no separate fee — renew via continuing-education credits or by retaking a qualifying exam | 2026-06-25 | official |
Keeping it current
This credential is valid for 3 years. Renewal model: Earn continuing-education credits or retake a qualifying exam before expiry.
A transparent 3-year estimate
Minimum 3-year ownership cost ≈ $300 — the exam ($300). This is a cost horizon, not a study-duration estimate; optional preparation materials and retakes are excluded.
These are illustrations from cited components, not quotes; they exclude retakes, study materials, and your time, and use the lowest published (commercial, non-discounted) training price. Your cost will differ.
Many certification vendors publish free self-paced training (for example AWS Skill Builder and Microsoft Learn), so the training line can be $0 if you self-study — see the training-options pages and the training providers hub.