Certified Kubernetes Network Engineer (CKNE) exam price, length, validity and renewal

CNCF · CKNEBeta

Unverified Price changed to $445 on Nov 6, 2026, found by the weekly check and not yet checked by hand.

Price	$445 per attempt, US list priceNot on sale yet: the official page offers only a notify-me form after the beta closed
Length	120 min
Questions	15 to 20 tasks
Format	Performance-based tasks in a Linux remote desktop (terminal and web interfaces), online proctored
Valid for	2 years
Renewal	Retake and pass the exam before the certification expires; the renewed certification stays current for 2 more years from the date you pass.
Prerequisites	None (CKA-level Kubernetes administration skills assumed)
Level	Specialty (CNCF calls it Intermediate)
Delivery	Online proctored (PSI Bridge secure browser)
Languages	English
Status	BetaThe beta is closed; the official page says to sign up to be notified when CKNE is available for purchase and scheduling
Source	training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-kubernetes-network-engineer-ckne/Last checked Nov 6, 2026

Changes

PriceUnverifiedNov 6$445The official page changed; read by the model from its text (weekly check)Official page ↗

AddedSep 25Certified Kubernetes Network Engineer (CKNE)Added by research; values read on the official pageOfficial page ↗

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Track

Kubernetes

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Red Hat Certified Specialist in Building Resilient MicroservicesEX328Tests creating and managing a resilient mesh of microservices with OpenShift Container Platform and Red Hat OpenShift Service Mesh.	Specialty	-	180 min	3 years
Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Advanced Cluster ManagementEX432Tests planning, deploying and managing Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes in a multi-cluster environment.	Specialty	-	240 min	3 years
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About this exam

Validates hands-on skill in Kubernetes networking, security and troubleshooting for platform engineers, network engineers and SREs.

What the official page says

Duration: "Candidates have 2 hours to complete the CKNE Exam."
Questions: "The exams consist of 15-20 performance-based tasks."
Validity: "CKNE Certification is valid for 2 years."

Certifications are valid for 2 years and are renewed by retaking and passing the exam before the expiration date, which extends them 2 years from the new pass date.

Each exam purchase includes one free retake, which must be taken within 12 months of the original purchase; SINGLE-attempt purchases and no-shows get no retake.

CNCF policy

Also read: docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/frequently-asked-questions-ckne, docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/important-instructions-ckne, docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/lf-handbook2/language

Exam facts

Changes

Other CNCF exams

Kubernetes and cloud native exams from other vendors