Choose CCNA if you want a networking job, and Network+ if you want a broad foundation for help desk or security work. CCNA is harder and more hands-on: it tests real configuration on Cisco equipment in a 120-minute exam. Network+ is vendor-neutral, shorter at 90 minutes, and focuses on concepts and troubleshooting. Neither has a formal prerequisite, and both stay valid for three years.
Key takeaways
- CCNA (200-301) is one 120-minute exam that costs US$300 on Cisco's own exam page.
- Network+ (N10-009) has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and a pass mark of 720 out of 900.
- CCNA goes deeper into routing, switching and configuration; Network+ stays vendor-neutral.
- A new CCNA blueprint, v2.0, applies from 3 February 2027, so check which version you are studying for.
What is the difference between CCNA and Network+?
Both certifications prove you understand networking, but they test it in different ways. Network+ asks whether you understand how networks work in general: addressing, cabling, wireless, security basics and troubleshooting steps. CCNA asks whether you can actually set up and fix a network on Cisco routers and switches, using the command line.
That makes CCNA the more practical of the two, and also the more demanding. Many students use Network+ as a stepping stone, while others skip it and go straight to CCNA. If you are still deciding where to begin, read which IT certification to get first.
| CCNA | Network+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Cisco | CompTIA |
| Exam | 200-301 | N10-009 |
| Length | 120 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Focus | Cisco configuration and routing | Vendor-neutral concepts |
| Valid for | 3 years | 3 years |
| Prerequisite | None | None |
What does the CCNA exam involve?
CCNA is earned with a single exam. Cisco's 200-301 CCNA exam page lists it as a 120-minute exam priced at US$300, available in English and Japanese. Cisco does not publish the exact number of questions or the pass mark. Guides such as Open Exam Prep put it at roughly 100 questions with a pass mark commonly quoted near 825 out of 1000, but treat both as estimates.
The current blueprint, version 1.1, has six domains: network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation. Expect subnetting, VLANs, OSPF, access control lists and wireless questions, plus lab-style tasks where you type real commands.
CCNA has no formal prerequisites, although Cisco suggests about a year of experience, as Training Camp's CCNA guide notes. You renew it every three years by retaking the exam, passing a higher Cisco exam or earning 30 continuing education credits.
What does the Network+ exam involve?
Network+ is also a single exam, N10-009. It has up to 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions in 90 minutes, with a pass mark of 720 on a 100 to 900 scale, as Open Exam Prep's Network+ guide sets out. CompTIA's Network+ page recommends A+ and 9 to 12 months of networking experience, but does not require them.
Because it is vendor-neutral, Network+ does not ask you to memorise Cisco commands. It asks you to choose the right cable, read a network diagram, spot a misconfigured subnet mask or pick the next troubleshooting step. For the earlier step in the CompTIA path, see CompTIA A+ vs Network+.
Is CCNA harder than Network+?
Yes, for most people. CCNA covers more depth, takes longer and includes configuration tasks that you cannot guess your way through. Students I teach for CCNA usually need a lab tool such as Cisco Packet Tracer and several weeks of typing commands before the topics stick.
Network+ is easier to pass by reading and practice questions alone, but its subnetting and troubleshooting questions still catch people out. A fair rule: if you can already subnet quickly and explain what a VLAN and a default gateway do, you are ready to start CCNA. If those terms are new, Network+ level study comes first, whether or not you sit the exam.
What is changing with CCNA v2.0 in 2027?
Cisco announced a new CCNA blueprint in 2026. According to Edoxi's CCNA exam guide, the current v1.1 syllabus is valid until 2 February 2027, and v2.0 applies from 3 February 2027 with five domains instead of six. The exam code stays 200-301.
If your exam date is before February 2027, study the v1.1 topics. If you are starting from zero now and study slowly, plan for v2.0 and use course material written for it. Either way you earn the same CCNA certification.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose CCNA if you want to be a network technician, network administrator or network engineer, or if job adverts in your area mention Cisco.
- Choose Network+ if you are heading toward help desk, system administration or cybersecurity and want a quicker, broader certificate.
- Do both only if an employer asks for it. Most people need one networking certification, not two.
If security is your goal, Network+ leads naturally into Security+, which we compare in Security+ vs Network+.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take Network+ before CCNA?
You do not have to. Network+ has no formal link to CCNA. Take it first only if networking is completely new to you or you want a vendor-neutral certificate for help desk and security roles.
How much does the CCNA exam cost?
Cisco lists the 200-301 CCNA exam at US$300, or you can pay with Cisco Learning Credits. Taxes and local pricing can change the final amount at checkout.
Does CCNA expire?
Yes. CCNA is valid for three years. You can renew by retaking the exam, passing a higher-level Cisco exam or earning 30 continuing education credits.
Sources
- 200-301 CCNA exam, Cisco
- CCNA 200-301 exam guide, Edoxi
- About the CCNA 200-301, Open Exam Prep
- What is CCNA?, Training Camp
- CompTIA Network+ certification, CompTIA
- CompTIA Network+ current exam facts, Open Exam Prep