Quick Answer: There is no new CCNA exam code coming in 2026. Starting from February 3, 2026, the Cisco CCNA certification underwent a major update, but the exam code remained 200-301. The exam syllabus was fully upgraded, deeply integrating AI, cloud, automation, and security to better meet the needs of modern enterprise network operations and digital transformation. The current CCNA 200-301 exam topics are effective until at least August 2026. This guide covers exactly what changed, what stayed the same, whether you should start studying now or wait, and what this update means for every candidate currently preparing. For practice exams built around the current 200-301 blueprint, CertEmpire’s CCNA practice tests are updated for the 2026 syllabus with scenario-based questions and complete answer explanations.
The Short History of CCNA Updates: Context That Matters
Understanding what happened in 2026 requires understanding the update pattern Cisco follows.
The Cisco certification program was drastically changed on February 24, 2020. Under the old CCNA certification program, there were multiple concentration exams for different learning paths. The new exam consolidated everything into a single comprehensive exam with code 200-301 covering a wide range of topics including routing and switching, security, wireless networking, and programming concepts.
That 2020 overhaul was the most significant change in CCNA history. It retired ten separate CCNA specialization exams and replaced them with one. For the next four years, the 200-301 exam ran essentially unchanged.
The current CCNA 200-301 exam was available until August 19, 2024. Beginning August 20, 2024, exam candidates needed to take the new CCNA v1.1 (200-301) exam. The v1.1 updates reflect the increasing focus on cloud, automation, and AI in networking.
That August 2024 update was Version 1.1, a minor but important update. Then in 2026, another update arrived.
What Actually Happened in February 2026
Starting from February 3, 2026, the Cisco CCNA certification underwent a major update, with the exam code still being 200-301. The old version of the exam ended on February 2, 2026, with the global unified launch of the new version on February 3, 2026.
This is the most important fact for every candidate searching for CCNA exam news in 2026. The exam code did not change. You are still registering for and taking the 200-301 exam. But the content inside that exam changed significantly.
Cisco has recently updated the CCNA Syllabus in 2026 to keep CCNA relevant in the age of AI.
Cisco has added new topics to the CCNA 200-301 exam that include artificial intelligence, spanning tree protocols, and automation. Cisco has aligned CCNA 200-301 with a shift to open standards that include OSPF routing protocol. The management of network infrastructure now includes automation, SDN, and Infrastructure as Code. Cisco devices support programmable features and virtualization of network services. Troubleshooting topics have been moved to CCNP exam so that CCNA is now a more foundational certification.
That last point is significant. Cisco moved troubleshooting topics up to the CCNP level, which means CCNA 2026 is intentionally more foundational and accessible while the advanced operational skills live at a higher tier. This makes CCNA a cleaner entry point while making CCNP more differentiated.
CCNA v1.1 vs CCNA 2026: What Exactly Changed
Understanding the differences between the August 2024 v1.1 update and the February 2026 update helps candidates who started studying on older materials know exactly what gaps to fill.
What Changed Between v1.0 and v1.1 (August 2024)
If you are planning to take the CCNA v1.1 exam, you need to explain AI, generative and predictive, and machine learning in network operations. The v1.1 updates cover Ansible and Terraform instead of older configuration management techniques like Puppet and Chef.
The v1.1 update was Cisco’s first acknowledgment that AI and modern automation tooling needed to be in the foundational networking certification. It was a minor but directionally significant change.
What Changed in the February 2026 Update
The core transformation of the new version of the CCNA exam in 2026 is the shift from a traditional network configurator to a digital network operator. The 2026 update deeply integrates AI, cloud, automation, and security, better meeting the needs of modern enterprise network operations and digital transformation.
New topics in the 2026 CCNA include artificial intelligence integration across network operations, expanded spanning tree protocol coverage, enhanced automation topics, and updated security fundamentals. Troubleshooting topics have been moved to CCNP exam so that CCNA is now a foundational certification. Cisco devices support programmable features and virtualization of network services.
The six major knowledge areas in the 2026 CCNA are:
Network Fundamentals remains the foundation covering OSI model, TCP/IP, IPv4, IPv6, subnetting, and basic device operation. This area is largely unchanged from previous versions.
Network Access covers switching, VLANs, spanning tree, and wireless fundamentals. The spanning tree coverage has expanded in the 2026 version to address the increased complexity of modern enterprise switching environments.
IP Connectivity covers routing concepts, static routes, OSPF, and default routing. Cisco has aligned the 2026 CCNA with a shift to open standards including the OSPF routing protocol.
IP Services covers NAT, NTP, DHCP, DNS, and QoS. These topics remain core but are tested in the context of modern cloud-integrated network services.
Security Fundamentals covers access control lists, authentication, authorization, and basic security hardening. Security coverage has expanded to reflect the zero trust concepts increasingly present in enterprise network design.
Automation and Programmability is where the most significant changes live. AI integration across all six knowledge areas is the defining characteristic of the 2026 update. This includes AI-assisted network monitoring, AI-driven anomaly detection, and the use of automation tools to manage infrastructure at scale.
The Exam Format: What Has Not Changed
Despite the content updates, the CCNA exam format in 2026 remains consistent with previous versions.
CCNA 200-301 is a single exam that is 120 minutes in duration with approximately 100 questions. There is the option of either in-person or online testing.
The general CCNA exam pattern consists of 50 to 60 questions, with various question types including multiple-choice questions, drag-and-drop, simlets which are simulated network scenarios with multiple-choice questions, and testlets which are network scenarios with multiple questions. The passing score is 800 to 850 out of 1000 points.
Note: The question count has varied across sources between 50 and 100. The official Cisco guidance uses “approximately 100 questions” for the 120-minute window. Always verify the exact count on Cisco’s official exam page before sitting.
The exam cost remains $330 USD, unchanged from previous versions. Registration is through Pearson VUE, and both in-person test center and online proctored options are available globally.
Should You Start Studying Now or Wait?
This is the question every candidate who finds this blog is actually asking. The direct answer: start now.
There is no evidence of another major CCNA update planned before August 2026 at the earliest. The current CCNA 200-301 exam topics are effective until at least August 2026. CCNA 200-301 v1.1 is the updated, last version of Cisco Certified Network Associate as of 2025 and 2026. The exam content and exam are updated.
Cisco follows a multi-year update cycle. The last major overhaul was February 2020. A minor update came in August 2024. A content refresh came in February 2026. Based on this pattern, the next significant update is unlikely before 2027 at the earliest.
Candidates who wait for a “more stable” version lose months of productive preparation time. The 2026 content is current, relevant, and fully documented in the official Cisco exam blueprint available on Cisco’s website. Study materials including updated CCNA 200-301 exam questions have been updated to reflect the February 2026 blueprint.
Who Should Take CCNA 200-301 in 2026
The scope of CCNA certification is bright and promising since the domain is in high demand. There are approximately 50,000 plus active job vacancies for Network Engineers with CCNA certification globally.
CCNA is the right certification for several distinct candidate profiles.
Career starters with no IT background should begin with CCNA if their target role is networking, infrastructure, or network security. CCNA provides the foundational knowledge that Security+ and advanced certifications assume you already have.
IT support professionals transitioning to networking use CCNA to validate the knowledge they have built through experience and to move into higher-paying network engineer or network administrator roles.
Security professionals who need deeper networking knowledge benefit from CCNA’s systematic coverage of protocols, routing, switching, and automation concepts that underpin every network security role.
Candidates targeting the Cisco certification path should take CCNA before CCNP, which requires CCNA-level knowledge as a foundation. Following the release of CCNA v1.1 in August 2024 and the 2026 update, Cisco has turned its attention to revamping the CCNP level to include more advanced topics that build on the updated CCNA foundation.
CCNA 2026 vs CompTIA Network+: Which Should You Take First?
This is one of the most common questions candidates ask when planning their certification path.
CompTIA Network+ covers networking fundamentals at a vendor-neutral level. CCNA covers networking at a deeper technical level with Cisco-specific implementation knowledge. Both certifications validate networking knowledge but they serve different purposes.
Take Network+ first if: You have no prior networking exposure, you want a faster study path, your target role is not Cisco-specific, or you are building toward Security+ and need the networking foundation Network+ provides.
Take CCNA instead of or after Network+ if: Your target role involves managing Cisco infrastructure, which is the majority of enterprise network environments. You want deeper technical knowledge than Network+ covers. You are targeting CCNP eventually, which requires CCNA as a foundation.
The combined path: Many candidates take Network+ to build foundational knowledge, then take CCNA for Cisco-specific depth. This sequence is common for candidates making a career change into networking without prior IT experience.
The salary difference between the two certifications is significant. CCNA salary packages for network engineers range from $90,000 to $160,000 depending on specialization and experience level. CCNA commands a meaningful premium over Network+ in networking-specific roles.
The AI Integration in CCNA 2026: What It Actually Means for the Exam
The AI additions to the 2026 CCNA are worth understanding specifically because many candidates are unclear about what AI knowledge is actually tested.
If you are planning to take the CCNA 2026 exam, you need to explain AI including generative and predictive AI and machine learning in network operations.
This is conceptual knowledge, not implementation knowledge. The exam does not expect you to build a machine learning model or implement an AI system. It expects you to understand how AI and machine learning are applied to network operations scenarios. Specifically:
AI in network monitoring identifies anomalous traffic patterns that deviate from learned baselines, flagging potential security incidents or performance issues faster than threshold-based alerting.
Predictive AI in network operations forecasts capacity requirements, predicts device failures based on telemetry patterns, and recommends configuration changes before performance degrades.
Generative AI in network management assists with configuration generation, troubleshooting guidance, and documentation, reducing the manual burden on network engineers.
Machine learning in security identifies new attack patterns by recognizing behavioral anomalies rather than relying solely on signature matching.
For the exam, understand what these capabilities do, why organizations implement them, and how they differ from traditional rule-based network management approaches. Deep technical implementation is tested at CCNP and beyond.
Cisco’s Broader Certification Changes in 2026
The CCNA content update is part of a larger wave of Cisco certification changes happening throughout 2025 and 2026.
Cisco Certified Cybersecurity Associate will become Cisco Certified Network Associate Cybersecurity. Cisco Certified Cybersecurity Professional will become Cisco Certified Network Professional Cybersecurity. In this final update, the exam topics will remain the same and only the certification names will change. This rebrand brings the CyberOps track in line with Cisco’s broader naming structure, making it easier for learners and employers to understand where these certifications fit within a professional pathway. This change takes place in February 2026.
Cisco DevNet certifications will evolve to CCNA Automation, CCNP Automation, and CCIE Automation. Cisco is updating its certs through 2026 with new exams, rebrands, AI badges, and more.
The pattern across all of these changes is consistent: Cisco is aligning its entire certification portfolio around AI, automation, and cloud-native operations. The CCNA 2026 update is the entry-level manifestation of a strategy being applied at every certification tier simultaneously.
What CCNA 2026 Holders Can Expect at the CCNP Level
Candidates who earn CCNA 2026 and look toward CCNP will find that the professional-level exams have also been updated to build on the new CCNA foundation.
Troubleshooting topics have been moved to the CCNP exam so that CCNA is now a foundational certification. This means CCNP-level study will be more demanding for candidates who previously relied on CCNA troubleshooting knowledge as a CCNP bridge.
The CCNP Enterprise track is the most common next step for CCNA holders. It covers enterprise network design, advanced routing, SD-WAN, and wireless at a depth that goes significantly beyond CCNA foundations.
For candidates targeting network security specifically, the CCNA Cybersecurity certification rebranding means there is now a clearer Cisco-branded path from CCNA through CCNP Cybersecurity for security-focused networking professionals.
How to Prepare for CCNA 200-301 in 2026
It is possible to prepare for the CCNA certification in three months, but it may be challenging for beginners. A focused study plan, access to quality resources, and regular practice are crucial for success within this timeframe.
It takes 3 to 5 months with good focus on the theoretical lessons and practice on Cisco switches and routers. The passing score is at least 800 to 850 out of 1000 points.
The recommended preparation sequence for CCNA 2026 is:
Month 1: Cover Network Fundamentals and Network Access. Build your understanding of the OSI model, TCP/IP, subnetting, VLANs, and spanning tree. Set up a lab environment using Cisco Packet Tracer, which is free, or GNS3 for more realistic simulation. Practice every configuration command rather than just reading about it.
Month 2: Cover IP Connectivity and IP Services. Work through static routing, OSPF configuration, NAT, DHCP, and DNS. Practice troubleshooting connectivity issues in your lab environment. The 2026 update emphasizes OSPF specifically, so spend extra time here.
Month 3: Cover Security Fundamentals, Automation and Programmability, and the AI integration topics. Review access control list configuration, basic Cisco device hardening, Python basics for network scripting, Ansible and Terraform concepts, and AI and machine learning in network operations at the conceptual level tested by the exam.
Throughout all three months, use practice exams to gauge your readiness. CertEmpire’s CCNA 200-301 practice tests are updated for the February 2026 blueprint and provide scenario-based questions across all six knowledge areas with complete answer explanations. Scoring 80 percent or higher consistently across all domains before booking your exam is the benchmark that correlates most strongly with first-attempt passes.
CCNA 200-301 Salary in 2026: Is It Still Worth the Investment?
The scope of the CCNA certification is bright and promising since the domain is in high demand, with approximately 50,000 plus active job vacancies for Network Engineers with CCNA certification. The number will rise at a 10x speed in the coming years.
The salary packages one can expect after the Cisco CCNA certification vary widely. CCNA-certified professionals earn an average annual salary of $102,496 in the US. Network Security Engineers with CCNA earn an average of $161,414 annually. Network Architects earn an average of $167,110.
The ROI calculation is as strong as it has ever been. At $330 for the exam and 3 to 5 months of preparation, CCNA delivers access to roles paying $90,000 to $160,000 depending on specialization. The investment recoup time on a $330 exam cost is measured in days of additional earnings.
The 2026 content update makes this ROI argument stronger, not weaker. An employer hiring a network engineer who understands AI-assisted operations, Ansible automation, and Infrastructure as Code is getting more value than from a candidate certified only on traditional routing and switching. The 2026 CCNA holder is a more capable professional than a holder of the pre-2026 version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a new CCNA exam coming in 2026 with a new exam code?
No. Starting from February 3, 2026, the Cisco CCNA certification underwent a major update, but the exam code remained 200-301. There is no new exam code. The content was updated but candidates still register for and take the 200-301 exam.
When did the 2026 CCNA update go live?
The global unified launch was February 3, 2026, with the old version ending February 2, 2026.
What are the biggest changes in the 2026 CCNA?
The biggest changes include added AI and machine learning topics, expanded spanning tree coverage, updated automation topics including Ansible and Terraform, enhanced security fundamentals, and the movement of troubleshooting topics to the CCNP level.
How long does CCNA take to prepare for in 2026?
It takes 3 to 5 months with good focus on theoretical lessons and hands-on practice on Cisco switches and routers. Candidates with prior networking experience can prepare in 2 to 3 months. Candidates starting from no IT background should plan for 4 to 5 months.
What is the CCNA passing score?
The passing score is 800 to 850 out of 1000 points. The exact passing score may vary slightly, so check the official Cisco website when registering for the most accurate current information.
How much does the CCNA exam cost in 2026?
The CCNA 200-301 exam costs $330 USD. Registration is through Pearson VUE.
Should I use old CCNA study materials?
No. Any study materials written for the v1.0 exam (pre-August 2024) or the v1.1 exam (pre-February 2026) will be missing content that is now tested. Use resources specifically updated for the February 2026 blueprint. CertEmpire’s CCNA practice exams are updated for the current blueprint with scenario-based questions covering all six knowledge areas including the new AI and automation topics.
Is CCNA still worth it in 2026?
The scope of the CCNA certification is bright and promising since the domain is in high demand, with approximately 50,000 plus active job vacancies for network engineers with CCNA certification. With an average salary of $102,496 and senior roles reaching $160,000 or more, CCNA remains one of the best ROI certifications available for networking and network security careers.
