How Much Do IT Certifications Cost?

IT certifications vary greatly in price. You can sit for an AWS certification for $100. Whereas the most expensive exams, like the CCIE, are $1,500 in exam fees alone. Despite the wide range of exam costs, there are some consistencies. Entry-level certifications are typically less expensive than expert-level ones. It's also true that IT certification costs aren't entirely wrapped in the exam registration fees. Training material, like books, online courses, and boot camps, adds up quickly. We didn't take into account study material for this list — only the exams.

Here's how much it'll cost to earn your next certification.

How Much Do Cisco Certifications Cost?

Cisco has five tiers of certifications —- Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, and Architect. With few exceptions, Cisco has standardized its certification exam pricing structure. However, there are some irregularities.

Cisco's handy pricing guide lists exams costs by code:

It's easy enough to follow. But, maybe we can break it down a little better.

Entry-level Cisco Certification Costs – $165

Cisco has two entry-level certifications — Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) and the Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT). Both the CCT and CCENT are $165.

These two certifications are valuable on their own, but they're often considered the stepping stone certifications for the higher-level CCNA certifications. The CCENT (100-105 ICND1) is the first in the two-exam CCNA. The CCENT can also serve as the prerequisite exam for CCNA Security, Wireless, Industrial, and the CCDA.

CCNA Certification Exam Costs – $325 to $600

Cisco offers 10 associate-level — or CCNA — exams. Each CCNA certification requires passing at least two exams, which vary in cost.

CCNA Cloud, Collaboration, Cyber Ops, Data Center, and Service Provider each cost $600. These exams have two advanced technologies exams and no prerequisites. Each exam costs $300 per attempt.

CCNA Security, Wireless, Industrial, and the CCDA each cost $465. While most CCNA certifications have two specialized exams, these four certifications only require one advanced technology exam with CCENT ($165) as the prerequisite.

CCNA Routing and Switching is the flagship Cisco exam, and also a potential prerequisite for CCNA Security, Wireless, Industrial, and the CCDA. The CCNA R&S exam costs either $325 or $330. The CCNA R&S is comprised of two exams — the 100-105 ICND1 and 200-105 ICND2.

Because each CCNA R&S exam costs $165, the total cost is $330. There's also the 200-125 CCNA, which combines the material into one composite exam and costs $325.

Here's a full list of the CCNA certification exams:

CCNP Certification Exam Costs – $900 to $1,200

Cisco offers eight professional-level exams. Each CCNP certification requires passing at least three exams, but most CCNPs require four exams. It's also important to note that each CCNP exam has a prerequisite CCNA. For instance, you must first pass the CCNA R&S to be eligible to sit for the CCNP R&S. Any CCIE certification can also act as a prerequisite.

CCNP Routing and Switching and the CCDP cost $900 each. These two certifications are comprised of three exams, which each cost $300 per attempt.

CCNP Cloud, Collaboration, Data Center, Security, Service Provider, and Wireless cost $1,200 each. These certifications each require four exams, which also cost $300 per attempt.

Here's a full list of the CCNP certification (not including the prerequisite CCNA):

CCIE Certification Exam Costs – $2,050

Cisco offers seven expert-level certifications. Unlike other Cisco exams, the CCIE requires a written exam and a practical exam. The CCIE written exam costs $450 each attempt. The CCIE lab exam costs $1,600 per attempt. Each CCIE costs $2,050.

There are no prerequisites to take a CCIE exam.

Here's a full list of CCIE certification exam costs:

Travel and lodging for the CCIE

The CCIE has many other associated costs. All exams have study material that isn't factored into the exam cost, but few require travel. The lab exam is only available at eight test centers worldwide, which means an added expense of travel, food, and lodging.

It's also important to note that the CCIE is among the most difficult IT certification exams. Most people take the CCIE lab exam multiple times. We recently broke down the total cost of the CCIE in this recent blog post. The most realistic scenarios put the cost of earning a CCIE somewhere between $12,000 to $19,000.

CCAr Certification Exam Costs – $15,000

The Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) certification is the most difficult and expensive exam available. The initial CCAr board qualification review costs $3,750. The board review then costs an additional $11,250. The total cost of the CCAr is $15,000.

How Much Do Microsoft Certification Exams Cost?

Since 2019, Microsoft has rolled out role-based certifications that are designed to bridge the gap between the knowledge required to pass certification exams and the knowledge needed for on-the-job success. Microsoft’s role-based certifications align to specific job roles, many of which are cloud-based roles.

As a result, in January 2021, Microsoft retired its MTA, MCSA, and MCSE certification programs, which had been laid out as a pyramid, with each level of certification leading learners to more specialized certifications. 

Microsoft Role-Based Certification Costs

Microsoft Role-based certifications exams cost $165 for test-takers in the United States. These exams will cost international test-takers from $55 to $165 per exam in their local currency. Because some role-based certification exams have prerequisites, the cost to earn them varies from $165 to $495 — depending on how many prerequisite exams are required. 

As of January 6, 2022, Microsoft offers 48 role-based certifications ranging from Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert to Microsoft Certified: Power Apps + Dynamics 365 Developer Associate. Here's the complete list of Microsoft role-based certifications and their exam costs:

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Information Protection Administrator Associate: $165

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional Consultant Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Commerce Functional Consultant Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate: $165

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Field Service Functional Consultant Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Functional Consultant Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Marketing Functional Consultant Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 + Power Platform Solution Architect Expert: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate: $165

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Voice Engineer Expert: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect Expert: $165

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate: $165

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Marketing Functional Consultant Associate (Legacy): $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Field Service Functional Consultant Associate (Legacy): $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (Legacy): $495 (3 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant Associate (Legacy): $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate (Legacy): $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (Legacy): $495 (3 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (Legacy): $495 (3 exams required)

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teamwork Administrator Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

• Microsoft Certified: Power Apps + Dynamics 365 Developer Associate: $330 (2 exams required)

Microsoft Fundamentals Certification Cost

Microsoft currently offers nine fundamental-level certifications that are aimed at learners who are new to technology or are thinking about a career change. Each of these certifications requires passing only one exam, some of which count as prerequisites toward Microsoft role-based certifications (see above). 

Here's the full price list of the Microsoft Fundamentals certification exams:

• Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals: $99

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals: $99

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals: $99

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals: $99

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals: $99

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals: $99

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP): $99

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals: $99

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM): $99

How Much Do AWS Certifications Cost?

Amazon offers four tiers of certifications — Practitioner, Associate, Professional, and Specialty. AWS certifications no longer have prerequisites to take their exams. However, Amazon advises test takers to progress through the certifications according to their familiarity with the platform.

AWS Practitioner Certification Exam Costs – $100

Amazon has one practitioner-level exam that's designed for non-technical professionals who use AWS cloud. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner costs $100.

AWS Associate Certification Exam Costs – $150

Amazon has three associate-level AWS certifications — Solutions Architect, Developer, and SysOps Administrator. These exams are designed for IT professionals with at least one year of experience with AWS cloud technologies. AWS Certified Associate certificates cost $150 per attempt.

Here's a full list of AWS Associate certification exam costs:

AWS Professional Certification Exam Costs – $300

Amazon has two professional-level AWS certifications — Solutions Architect and DevOps Engineer. These exams are designed for IT professionals with at least two years of experience with AWS cloud technologies. AWS Certified Professional certificates cost $300 per attempt.

Here's a full list of AWS Professional certification exam costs:

AWS Specialty Certification Exam Costs – $300

Amazon has three specialty AWS certifications — Security, Big Data, and Advanced Networking. These exams are designed for IT professionals with deep technical knowledge and experience in a narrow skill set. AWS Certified Specialty certificates cost $300 per attempt.

How Much Do VMware Certification Cost?

VMware has five tiers of certifications —- Associate, Professional, Advanced Professional, Design Expert, and Specialist exams. VMware has largely standardized its cost structure for Associate, Professional, and Advanced certification exams.

VMware Foundation Certification Exam Costs – $125

VMware has two Foundations exams that serve as a prerequisite for most professional-level certifications.

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) Certification Costs – $250

VMware has 15 professional-level certifications in five tracks — Data Center Virtualization, Network Virtualization, Cloud Management and Automation, Desktop and Mobility, and Digital Workspace. Each VMware Certified Professional (VCP) certification exam costs $250 per attempt.

In most cases, one of the two Foundation courses serves as the only prerequisite certification for the professional-level exams. However, there are exceptions. The VCP-DTM 2019 certification requires both a Foundation and the Horizon 7.5 exams. VMware Digital Workspace exams have no prerequisites.

VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) Certification – $450

VMware has nine advanced certifications in four tracks — data center virtualization, network virtualization, cloud management and automation, and desktop and mobility. Each VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) certification exam costs $450 per attempt.

VMware VCP exams serve as the prerequisite for VCAP certifications by track. For instance, VCP6.5-DCV is required to take the VCAP6.5-DCVD.

VMware is fairly stringent with their prerequisites, but the most recent certifications are backward compatible for earlier exams. For example, the VCP6.5-DCV can serve as the prerequisite for all three VCAP exams in the data center track, but not the earlier VCP6-DCV exam. The same holds true for network virtualization, cloud management, and desktop and mobility exams.

When taking into consideration the prerequisites, VCAP exams cost at least $700.

VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) Certification – $3,995

VMware has five expert-level certifications in four tracks — data center virtualization, network virtualization, cloud management and automation, and desktop and mobility. Each VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) certification exam costs $3,995 per attempt.

The VCDX exam has two parts. The application fee costs $995. Though, to call it just an application fee is an understatement. In reality, aspiring VCDXs submit a design that must be accepted to defend. The in-person defense costs $3,000. A failed defense is eligible to retake for an additional $900.

How Much Do CompTIA Exams Cost?

CompTIA has 13 certifications in four series — Core, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Professional.  There are no prerequisite certifications for any CompTIA exam.

CompTIA Core Series Certifications – $119 to $319

The certifications in the Core Series are the best-known CompTIA certifications. The A+, Network+, and Security+ are common foundational certifications for entry-level IT professionals. These certifications are included in the DoD Directive 8140 and 8570 framework, which establishes basic IT qualifications for federal employees and contractors.

CompTIA Infrastructure Series Certifications – $219 to $319

The certifications in the Infrastructure Series are vendor-neutral alternatives to Microsoft, Linux, VMware, and Cisco certifications.

CompTIA Cybersecurity Series Certifications – $349 to $439

The certifications in the Cybersecurity Series prepare IT professionals to serve in security roles. The CySA+ and Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certifications are both approved under DoD Directive 8140 and 8570.

CompTIA Professional Series Certifications – $119 to $319

The certifications in the Professional Series validate general business skills for technical and non-technical professionals.

How Much Do (ISC)2 Certifications Cost?

(ISC)2 has seven security certifications that validate skills and knowledge in leadership, security administration, cloud security, authorization, software security, and healthcare security. While there are no prerequisite certifications for these certifications, the (ISC)2 has an involved qualification and endorsement process for certified security professionals.

The Value of Certifications Outweigh the Costs

If there's anything this post has confirmed, it's that certifications aren't cheap. That becomes even more apparent when factoring study material, prerequisite exams, multiple attempts, and even the time and effort put into studying for them. The CCIE, for instance, can easilycost $20,000.

However, the value of certifying on a technology outweighs the costs in both time and money. Opinion as to whether certifications are even worth it are varied. Some people view certs as a bullet point on a resume. Others collect certifications like Pokémon. Here's the reality: Certifications are valuable even if they're only a bullet on a resume.

Given two otherwise equal resumes, hiring managers and HR pros alike will almost always pick the person with the certification. That's because certifications don't just validate knowledge. They also show that you're willing to put the time and effort into your career.

In many other cases, like working for the federal government, certifications are required for many IT positions. That's the stronger case for spending the time and money to earn certifications. If you already know your stuff, it's best to validate that fact in an industry-approved way. Otherwise, you're potentially disqualifying yourself from a number of opportunities before you even have a chance to show your stuff.

As long as IT certifications are accepted as the standard by employers, they'll remain necessary, relevant — and worth the cost.

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