Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam price, length, validity and renewal
CNCF · Specialty · CKS · $445 · 120 min · 15 to 20 tasks · valid 2 years
Exam facts
Checked Sep 24, 2026 on CNCF's page| Price | $445 per attempt, US list priceExam only; includes one retake and two exam simulator attempts. Bundles with a course or THRIVE-ONE subscription cost more |
|---|---|
| Length | 120 min |
| Questions | 15 to 20 performance-based tasks |
| Format | Performance-based tasks solved on a command line running Kubernetes |
| Passing score | 67% |
| Valid for | 2 years |
| Renewal | Retake and pass the same exam before it expires; the renewed certification is valid 2 years from the new pass date |
| Prerequisites | Must have passed the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam before attempting CKS |
| Level | Specialty (CNCF calls it Intermediate) |
| Delivery | Online proctored (PSI) |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese |
| Status | ActiveExam based on Kubernetes v1.35 |
| Source | training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-kubernetes-security-specialist/Last checked Sep 24, 2026 |
Other CNCF exams
CNCF program| Exam | Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA)KCNA · Foundational · 90 min | Foundational | $250 | 90 min | 2 years | Sep 24 |
| Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate (KCSA)KCSA · Foundational · 90 min | Foundational | $250 | 90 min | 2 years | Sep 24 |
| Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)CKA · Associate · 120 min | Associate | $445 | 120 min | 2 years | Sep 24 |
| Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)CKAD · Associate · 120 min | Associate | $445 | 120 min | 2 years | Sep 24 |
Cloud security exams from other vendors
Track| Exam | Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 SnowPro Advanced: Security EngineerSEA-C01 · Professional · 115 min | Professional | $375 | 115 min | 2 years | Sep 24 |
About this exam
For Kubernetes practitioners who hold the CKA and secure container-based applications and Kubernetes platforms during build, deployment and runtime.
What the official page says
- Price: "Certification exam only - $445"
- Duration: "Candidates have 2 hours to complete the tasks."
- Questions: "The exams consist of 15-20 performance-based tasks."
- Validity: "Certification 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 policyAlso read: docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/faq-cka-ckad-cks, docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/important-instructions-cks, docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/lf-handbook2/language, docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/exam-terms-of-service, cncf.io/training/certification/
Sources: each vendor's own certification pages, rechecked weekly. Prices are US list prices before tax; the vendor's page is the final word. Logos via logo.dev; trademarks belong to their owners.