Cloud Native Computing Foundation
Kubernetes and cloud native certifications, including the hands-on CKA, CKAD and CKS exams delivered in a live cluster.
CNCF certifications split cleanly into two formats. The flagship Kubernetes exams — CKA, CKAD and CKS — are performance-based: you are dropped into a real cluster with a task list and a browser terminal, and graded on what you actually build. The associate-level exams around them are multiple choice.
The performance exams allow access to the official Kubernetes documentation during the test, which sounds generous until you realise how much time searching costs. Candidates who pass comfortably are the ones who have internalised imperative kubectl commands and know which page they need before they open it.
The wider ecosystem now has its own associate credentials covering Prometheus, Istio, Argo, GitOps and OpenTelemetry, which make a reasonable on-ramp before the hands-on exams. Certifications are valid for two years.
Foundational1
Entry-level credentials that validate core concepts and vocabulary.
Professional1
Advanced credentials covering design, scale and trade-off decisions.
Filter by practice availability, category, level or exam code. Retired exams are hidden by default.
2 exams
The benchmark Kubernetes administrator exam, taken entirely in a live cluster: architecture and installation, workloads and scheduling, networking, storage, and troubleshooting under time pressure.
The entry point to the cloud native ecosystem: Kubernetes fundamentals, container orchestration concepts, cloud native architecture, observability and application delivery.
How the CNCF ladder is structured, from entry point to the top tier.
Entry-level credentials that validate core concepts and vocabulary.
Advanced credentials covering design, scale and trade-off decisions.
CNCF credentials that require more than one exam.
The CNCF recognition awarded for holding all five Kubernetes certifications — CKA, CKAD, CKS, KCNA and KCSA — at the same time.
CNCF
CNCF exams with an available question bank, shown with answer-support coverage.
Categories and topics that run through the CNCF catalog.
Questions, answered
Clear answers about the exam, the study experience, and what to expect before you begin.
This directory currently lists 10 CNCF exams across 3 levels (Foundational, Professional and Associate). CNCF adds and retires exams regularly, so treat this as a working map rather than a permanent one.
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer is the usual starting point — it is the most widely taken associate-level exam in the CNCF programme. The developer-focused Kubernetes lab exam: designing and building application workloads, configuring them, exposing them through services, and observing and debugging what you deploy.
The best-known active options in this directory include Certified Kubernetes Administrator, Certified Kubernetes Application Developer and Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist. Compare their levels, syllabus domains and role focus before choosing one.
Yes — 2 CNCF exams have 294 practice questions in total. 54 questions currently carry an explanation.
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