Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) exam price, length, validity and renewal
CNCF · Foundational · KCNA · $250 · 90 min · 60 questions · valid 2 years
Exam facts
Checked Sep 24, 2026 on CNCF's page| Price | $250 per attempt, US list priceExam only; includes one retake. Bundles with a course or THRIVE-ONE subscription cost more |
|---|---|
| Length | 90 min |
| Questions | 60 |
| Format | Multiple choice |
| Passing score | 75% |
| 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; passing CKA or CKAD also renews KCNA automatically |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Level | Foundational (CNCF calls it Beginner) |
| Delivery | Online proctored (PSI) |
| Languages | English; Japanese and Simplified Chinese through separate Japanese-only and Chinese-only exam versions |
| Source | training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/kubernetes-cloud-native-associate/Last checked Sep 24, 2026 |
Other CNCF exams
CNCF program| Exam | Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)CKS · Specialty · 120 min | Specialty | $445 | 120 min | 2 years | Sep 24 |
About this exam
For beginners showing foundational knowledge of Kubernetes and the wider cloud native ecosystem.
What the official page says
- Price: "$250 Exam only"
- Duration: "Duration of Exam 90 minutes"
- Questions: "consists of 60* multiple-choice questions"
- 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-mc, docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/important-instructions-mc, 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.