Kubernetes / CNCF Certification — How to Register & Take the Exam
7 CNCF certifications. Linux Foundation via PSI Bridge (online only). $250 multiple-choice / $445 hands-on. Free retake bundled. 2-year validity.
CNPE (Cloud Native Platform Engineer) is a new credential — General Availability March 1, 2026. Some details (exact task count, passing score) are still firming up post-GA; they are estimated below from sibling hands-on exams.
All seven CNCF certifications (KCNA, KCSA, CNPA, CKA, CKAD, CKS, CNPE) are owned by CNCF and delivered by The Linux Foundation via the PSI Bridge proctoring platform. Same registration and delivery flow for all of them; only fee, length, and exam style (multiple-choice vs hands-on) differ.
1. Registration process
Buy the exam at training.linuxfoundation.org/certification (or via cncf.io/training/certification). The Linux Foundation runs frequent promo codes (30–60% off site-wide is common; check before paying).
Create / sign into a myLF (Linux Foundation) portal account. After purchase, the exam appears in your portal.
From the portal, complete the identity verification wizard (upload a government photo ID), then click Schedule exam to open PSI's scheduling page.
You have 12 months from the date of purchase to schedule and sit the exam (and the included free retake, if any).
2. Delivery options
Online proctored only (no test centers) via PSI Bridge.
Requirements: a single monitor, Chrome (PSI Secure Browser), webcam + mic, stable broadband, walled private room, government photo ID, no other people in the room.
The hands-on exams (CKA, CKAD, CKS, CNPE) run on a remote Linux desktop in the browser — you kubectl/vim against real clusters. Pure-knowledge exams (KCNA, KCSA, CNPA) are 60 multiple-choice questions.
3. Exam fees (USD)
KCNA, KCSA, CNPA: $250 each (often discounted via Linux Foundation promos)
CKA, CKAD, CKS, CNPE: $445 each
All exams include one free retake if you fail the first attempt.
The Kubestronaut bundle (KCNA + KCSA + CKA + CKAD + CKS) bundles all five at a steep discount (~$788 off list price). Other CKA+CKAD, CKA+CKAD+CKS, etc. bundles also exist.
4. Scheduling
After identity verification, exam slots are typically available the same day or next day, 24/7.
Reschedule up to 24 hours in advance; within 24 hours forfeits the slot (you keep the exam entitlement, but a fee may apply).
5. Exam day
Launch the PSI Bridge secure browser 15 minutes before the slot. Proctor verifies your ID, scans the room (360°), and inspects your desk.
Allowed materials: None except (for the hands-on exams) one browser tab open to the official kubernetes.io / cncf.io / etcd.io / helm.sh documentation.
No physical scratch paper; PSI Bridge provides an in-browser whiteboard.
No bathroom breaks for KCNA/KCSA/CNPA. CKA/CKAD/CKS/CNPE allow one optional 15-minute break mid-exam.
6. Results
Email notification within 24 hours for hands-on exams (CKA/CKAD/CKS/CNPE).
KCNA/KCSA/CNPA results are usually delivered within 24 hours as well.
Score and pass/fail visible in the myLF portal. Passing certificate and digital badge (Credly) issued shortly after.
7. Retake policy
Each purchase includes one free retake, usable within the 12-month entitlement window. After that, you must purchase a new exam.
No mandatory waiting period between attempts beyond scheduling availability.
8. Validity
KCNA, KCSA, CNPA: 2 years (post-April-2024 issuance).
CKA, CKAD: 2 years (since April 1, 2024; older certs were valid 3 years).
CKS: 2 years.
CNPE: 2 years (new credential, GA March 1, 2026).
Renew by re-passing the current version of the exam; renewal extends validity another 2 years from the new pass date.
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