IT, Cloud & Cybersecurity • Certification
Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking
Entry-level networking support
Researched and maintained by TestPrepPilot Editorial BoardCloud, IT & cybersecurity certifications desk · Figures last verified August 2026
The short version
What is the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking and is it worth it?
CCST Networking (CSTN) is an entry exam covering networking fundamentals, protocols and basic troubleshooting.
- Entry level
- Good first step
- Renews every 3 years
What is it?
What exactly is the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking?
Entry-level networking support
The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking validates basic networking knowledge for help-desk and technical-support roles.
Before you book
Who is eligible to sit the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking?
Who it is for: Help-desk and support staff
The test itself
What is the format of the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking?
The Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking is administered by Pearson VUE and runs 50 minutes and contains 40–50 questions.
| Administered by | Pearson VUE |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40–50 |
| Time limit | 50 minutes |
| Pass mark | Set per exam |
| Exam fee | $125 |
| Format | Multiple-choice |
Content outline
What topics are on the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking?
The Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking is weighted across 3 domains; the largest are Networking fundamentals (35%), Troubleshooting (35%), Protocols (30%).
Weightings come from the official exam outline. Study time is best allocated in roughly these proportions rather than evenly across domains.
- Networking fundamentals 35%
- Protocols 30%
- Troubleshooting 35%
Money & time
How much does the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking cost?
For the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking, the exam fee is $125; the all-in cost is typically $125+; most candidates spend 1 month preparing.
Cost breakdown
| Exam fee | $125 |
|---|---|
| Typical total | $125+ |
Entry-level exam.
Timeline
- Study 2–4 weeks
- Sit CSTN test day
Typical prep: 1 month
The path
How do you register for the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking?
- 1
Create a Cisco & testing account~15 minutes
Set up a free Cisco profile and a Pearson VUE (or Certiport for CCST) candidate profile to schedule and track exams.
- Register at the Cisco Certification Tracking System
- Create a Pearson VUE / Certiport candidate profile
- Confirm your ID documents meet testing requirements
- 2
Choose your certification & exam1-2 hours planning
Select the target credential and note the exact exam code (e.g., 100-160, 200-201, 350-701 + a concentration).
- Review the official exam blueprint and topic weights
- Decide self-study, Cisco U., or instructor-led training
- 3
Prepare with official trainingVaries (weeks-months)
Use Cisco Networking Academy, Cisco U. courses, official labs, and practice tests aligned to the blueprint.
- Complete the aligned Cisco U. / NetAcad course
- Hands-on labs and practice exams
- 4
Schedule the exam via Pearson VUE~10 minutes
Book a test-center slot or online OnVUE appointment; pay the exam fee (or redeem Cisco Learning Credits).
- Pick date, time, and location/time zone
- Pay fee (CCST $125; Associate $300; SCOR $400; concentration $300)
- 5
Take the proctored exam50-120 minutes
Arrive with valid government ID; complete the exam at a Pearson VUE center or via online proctoring.
- Check in and pass security/room scan (online)
- Complete the timed exam
- 6
Get results & digital badgeWithin 48 hours
Receive a pass/fail result (usually within 48 hours) and, on passing, a Credly digital badge plus certificate; track status in the Certification Tracking System.
- View section-level score report
- Accept Credly badge and share it
The fine print
What are the retake and renewal rules for the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking?
- Proctoring & delivery
- Delivered by Pearson VUE: at authorized test centers or online via OnVUE remote proctoring (CCST uses the Certiport/Pearson VUE platform). A government-issued photo ID is required; online tests include a room/environment scan.
- Retake policy
- If you fail, Cisco requires a waiting period of 5 calendar days before you may retake the same exam. Each attempt requires full payment of the exam fee. Cisco does not cap total attempts, but some exams limit attempts within a 12-month window.
- Score reporting
- Results are reported as pass/fail and made available online (Cisco Certification Tracking System) typically within 48 hours. A section-level performance breakdown is provided to help target further study; scaled scores use a 300-1000 range (CCNA/CCNP-style exams).
- Recertification
- All Cisco certifications are valid for 3 years from the date earned. Recertify before expiry by (a) passing a higher-or-equal level qualifying exam, (b) earning Continuing Education (CE) credits through eligible training/activities, or (c) a combination of exam + CE. For associate-level certs 30 CE credits are required; for professional-level 40 CE credits. Certificates can also be extended via the Cisco Continuing Education program.
- Refunds & rescheduling
- Exam fees are generally non-refundable once scheduled, but Pearson VUE allows rescheduling or cancellation up to 24-48 hours before the appointment without penalty; no-shows forfeit the fee. CCST/Certiport policies may differ by region.
Context
Cisco cybersecurity certifications compared
| Credential | Level | Focus | Exam | Validity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCST Cybersecurity | Foundational / Entry | Entry-level security concepts & support | 100-160 (1 exam, ~$125) | 3 years | |
| CCNA Cybersecurity | Associate | SOC analyst: monitoring, intrusion & incident analysis | 200-201 CBROPS (1 exam, $300) | 3 years | |
| CCNP Cybersecurity | Professional | Professional security core + concentration | SCOR 350-701 ($400) + 1 concentration ($300) | 3 years |
What it pays
How much does this credential pay?
$61,550 median for computer support specialists (BLS, May 2024)
There is no Bureau of Labor Statistics occupation called "CCST" — the Cisco Certified Support Technician credential certifies entry-level networking support skill, and the wage question belongs to the role you perform with it. The closest official BLS occupation is Computer Support Specialists, SOC 15-1231, which had a May 2024 median wage of $61,550, with the lowest 10 percent under $37,670 and the highest 10 percent above $101,440. The fit is deliberate: CCST holders work in help-desk, NOC technician and entry-level support roles, and BLS counted 614,800 computer support specialist jobs in 2024, projecting 6 percent growth from 2024 to 2034 with about 62,900 openings a year. The limitation to state plainly: the BLS median covers the whole occupation at all levels, and the CCST is explicitly an entry-level credential, so the realistic benchmark for a new holder sits at or below the median, climbing with experience and further certification. Read the number as the market for the support occupation, and note that the CCST is often the first rung on the Cisco ladder toward the CCNA and beyond.
| Measure | Figure | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage, computer support specialists | $61,550 | BLS OOH, SOC 15-1231, May 2024 |
| Lowest 10 percent | Under $37,670 | BLS OOH, SOC 15-1231, May 2024 |
| Highest 10 percent | Above $101,440 | BLS OOH, SOC 15-1231, May 2024 |
| Median, network administrators (senior track) | $96,900 | BLS OOH, SOC 15-1244, May 2024 |
Job growth.BLS projects 6 percent growth for computer support specialists from 2024 to 2034, about 62,900 openings per year.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Computer Support Specialists
Your odds
What are the pass rates?
Cisco publishes no pass rate — it publishes the format: roughly 50 questions in 60 minutes, with a passing score set by Cisco
Cisco does not publish cohort pass rates for the CCST exams, and third-party surveys are not official data, so we do not treat them as authoritative. What Cisco does publish is the format: the CCST Networking exam (100-150) has roughly 50 questions with a 60-minute time limit, delivered at Pearson VUE centres or through online proctoring, with a passing score set by Cisco (the exam reports a scaled result). The CCST certifications — Networking, Cybersecurity and IT Support — are Cisco's entry-level tier, positioned below the CCNA, and each is a single-exam credential. The exam content follows the published exam topics: networking fundamentals (the OSI model, IP addressing, common protocols), basic network security concepts, and troubleshooting common connectivity issues. The absence of a published pass rate is not an absence of standards: the CCST is an accessible entry exam, but it is still a certification with a passing standard, and candidates should target well above the minimum on practice. The practical reading: use Cisco's official exam topics and free study resources, which are plentiful for the entry tier, and treat the CCST as the foundation of a longer certification path.
Read this before quoting the number.Cisco publishes the format but no pass rate; the passing score is reported as a scaled result without a published cohort rate.
Your schedule
How long should I study for it?
30-60 hours over 3-5 weeks of focused study
The CCST Networking exam (100-150) is a roughly 50-question, 60-minute single-exam credential, and its curriculum is the published exam topics: networking fundamentals — the OSI model, TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6 addressing and subnetting, common protocols and network devices; basic network security concepts — threats, authentication and best practices; and troubleshooting common connectivity issues. A defensible plan runs 30 to 60 hours over 3 to 5 weeks. Weeks 1-2 build the fundamentals: the OSI model, IP addressing and subnetting, and the role of switches, routers and access points. Weeks 3-4 cover security basics and troubleshooting: common threats, authentication, and the systematic steps for diagnosing connectivity problems, with hands-on work in a virtual lab or packet-tracer-style tool. Week 5 adds practice-question drilling and a timed simulation. The plan is short because the scope is entry-level, but the exam rewards real understanding of addressing and troubleshooting, so hands-on practice with a network simulator matters more than memorisation. Candidates who pass the CCST typically move to the CCNA next, and the CCST material forms the first section of CCNA study.
- Weeks 1-220
Networking fundamentals
- OSI model and TCP/IP layers
- IPv4/IPv6 addressing and subnetting
- Switches, routers and access points
- Weeks 3-420
Security and troubleshooting
- Common threats and authentication basics
- Troubleshooting steps for connectivity issues
- Hands-on labs in a simulator
- Week 510
Drill and simulate
- Practice-question drilling in volume
- One timed 60-minute simulation
- Review weak topics
Adjusting the pace
Complete beginner.Add 2 weeks of IT fundamentals before the networking material; the CCST assumes basic computer literacy.
CCNA-bound.The CCST material is the first CCNA section; study it with the CCNA depth in mind to avoid rework.
How to study
How do I prepare most effectively?
The CCST Networking exam rewards genuine understanding of addressing and troubleshooting, so the dominant strategy is hands-on practice in a network simulator: build small networks, break them and fix them, because the exam items test what a support technician does. Second, master subnetting and IP addressing until they are reflexive — the exam asks addressing questions directly, and every troubleshooting scenario depends on them. Third, learn the OSI model as a troubleshooting tool: identify which layer a described problem sits at, because the exam rewards systematic diagnosis. Fourth, use Cisco's official exam topics and the free learning resources on the Cisco Learning Network, which are the authoritative scope for the entry tier. Fifth, take at least one timed simulation at the real 60-minute format; the pace is forgiving but only if you have practised it. Finally, treat the CCST as the start of a path: the CCNA builds directly on this material, so study for understanding rather than a checkbox, and the time will be reused.
Practise in a simulator
Build, break and fix small networks; the exam tests what a technician does.
Automate subnetting
Addressing is tested directly and underpins every troubleshooting scenario.
Use the OSI model to diagnose
Identify the layer of a described problem; the exam rewards systematic diagnosis.
Use the official topics and Learning Network
Free and authoritative for the entry tier.
Run one timed simulation
60 minutes for ~50 questions; practise the pace.
What to buy
Which study resources are worth paying for?
CCST Networking prep is inexpensive because the entry tier has rich free resources. Cisco's official exam topics, the Cisco Learning Network and Cisco's free networking courses cover most of the scope at no cost; packet-tracer-style simulators and network simulation tools are free for learners. Third-party prep is a smaller market than for the CCNA: a few providers sell CCST courses (roughly $50-$200) and question banks ($30-$100). The exam fee itself is about $125. A realistic total budget is $150 to $400 including the exam fee. Prices below are list prices as of mid-2026 and change frequently; we rank nothing by commission.
| Resource | Price | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco exam topics + Learning Network | Free | Official scope and community | The authoritative map; read it first |
| Cisco free courses | Free | Online learning | Fundamentals and security basics |
| Network simulators | Free-$50 | Virtual lab tools | Hands-on practice building and troubleshooting |
| Third-party CCST courses | $50-$200 | Self-paced video courses | Structured walkthrough of the topics |
| Question banks | $30-$100 | Online practice items | Volume drilling before the exam |
List prices as of mid-2026, subject to change; the CCST exam fee is about $125; no commission or affiliate ranking is implied.
Avoid these
What mistakes do candidates most often make?
The most common CCST mistake is memorising definitions instead of learning to troubleshoot: candidates who can recite the OSI layers but cannot diagnose a described connectivity problem fail the scenario items. The fix is simulator practice from the start. The second mistake is skipping subnetting, the highest-yield topic on the exam — every addressing and troubleshooting item depends on it. Third, candidates rush the exam because it is entry-level and then find the 60-minute window tight if they have never timed themselves; run one simulation. Fourth, some candidates study only one source and miss topics that the official exam topics list but a single course under-weights; read the official topics as the scope map. Finally, treating the CCST as an end rather than a foundation wastes the momentum — the material is the first section of the CCNA, so study for understanding and continue the path.
✕Memorising instead of troubleshooting
✓Diagnose described problems in a simulator; the exam tests practice.
✕Skipping subnetting
✓Automate addressing; it underpins every troubleshooting item.
✕Rushing without a timed run
✓One timed 60-minute simulation before the real exam.
✕Studying one source only
✓Use the official exam topics as the scope map.
✕Treating CCST as the finish
✓The material is the first CCNA section; study for understanding and continue.
What you'll face
What question types will I see?
The CCST Networking exam is a roughly 50-question multiple-choice exam in 60 minutes, with some items using diagrams of small networks. The items test networking fundamentals, basic security concepts and troubleshooting: identify the correct device, addressing value, protocol behaviour, or the systematic step for diagnosing a described connectivity problem. The exam is scenario-flavoured for a support technician: "a user cannot reach the internet from a workstation — what is the most likely first check?" style items. Samples below are editor-written illustrations of the published exam topics, not live exam items; they show the support-role style of the real items.
OSI model, addressing, protocols and device roles.
Connectivity problems with the correct diagnostic step or fix.
Try these
Q1A user's workstation cannot reach the internet but can reach the local server. The most likely first check is:
Answer:A
Local reachability with no internet reachability points to the gateway — the router or its configuration — as the first check. The display driver, power supply and monitor affect the workstation locally, not connectivity to the internet.
Q2Which device connects different networks and forwards packets based on IP addresses?
Answer:A
Routers connect networks and forward packets by IP address. Switches forward frames within a LAN, hubs repeat electrical signals, and access points provide wireless attachment — none routes between networks.
Q3A technician suspects a device's credentials were exposed in a phishing attack. The most appropriate immediate response is:
Answer:A
After suspected credential exposure, the standard response is to change the credentials and check for unauthorised access. Ignoring it, rebooting, or disabling the firewall each leave the exposure open or worsen it.
Samples are editor-written illustrations of the published exam topics, not live exam items.
The big day
What should I expect on exam day?
The CCST Networking exam is a roughly 50-question, 60-minute computer-based exam at a Pearson VUE centre or through online proctoring. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name and your appointment confirmation; personal items go in the locker. Arrive 30 minutes early; late arrivals forfeit the appointment and the fee. Pace at about 70 seconds per item, flag uncertain items for review, and finish with time to spare — the window is generous if you have practised. You receive your score on screen, with official results following. If you fail, retake per Cisco scheduling rules. On a pass, the CCST Networking certification is valid for three years; Cisco's entry-tier certifications have a defined validity period, and the credential does not require the continuing-education load of the professional tier. The afterwards matters: the CCST is a foundation — plan the next step on the Cisco ladder (typically the CCNA), and use the momentum while the material is fresh.
Bring
- Valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name
- Appointment confirmation
Leave at home
- Phone, smartwatch and all electronics
- Notes and study materials
- Personal bags beyond what the centre allows
How the day runs
Rules in the room
- No personal electronics in the testing room
- 60 minutes for ~50 questions; the clock does not pause
- Retake rules apply after a fail
Afterwards.On a pass, your CCST Networking is valid for three years. On a fail, retake after additional study. Use the material as the foundation for the CCNA.
Reference
What are the key facts about the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking?
Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking is a certification credential; awarded by Cisco; the exam fee is $125; typical preparation is 1 month; holders typically earn $40,000 – $60,000.
| Credential | Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | CCST Networking |
| Type | Certification |
| Profession | IT, Cloud & Cybersecurity |
| Specialty | Cisco |
| Awarded by | Cisco |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Typical prep time | 1 month |
| All-in cost | $125+ |
| Typical salary range | $40,000 – $60,000 |
| Level | Support Technician |
| Renewal | Every 3 years |
| Scope | National / Multi-state |
| Also known as | CCST Networking |
Real questions
Frequently asked questions about the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking
Is CCST a step toward CCNA?
It is a good introduction; CCNA is the next, more technical step.
Does it expire?
Yes, after three years via continuing education.
How do I register for cisco-ccst-networking?
You register and schedule cisco-ccst-networking through Pearson VUE. Pick a test-centre appointment or online proctoring, then sit the exam on your booked date.
What is the cisco-ccst-networking exam format?
The exam is delivered as Multiple-choice, with about 40–50 items, in 50 minutes. The published pass mark is Set per exam.
How long is the cisco-ccst-networking certification valid?
All Cisco certifications are valid for three years and renewed through re-examination, continuing education credits or higher-level passes.
How much does cisco-ccst-networking cost?
The exam fee is $125. Optional study materials and retakes are priced separately.
How long is a Cisco certification valid, and how do I renew it?
Every Cisco certification is valid for 3 years. You can recertify by passing a qualifying exam at or above the current level, by earning Continuing Education credits, or by combining both before the expiry date.
Where do I take Cisco exams and what ID do I need?
Cisco exams are delivered by Pearson VUE at test centers or online via OnVUE (CCST via Certiport/Pearson VUE). You must present a valid government-issued photo ID; online exams also require a room/environment scan.
What happens if I fail a Cisco exam?
You must wait 5 calendar days before retaking the same exam, and each retake requires paying the full exam fee again. Your score report shows section-level feedback to guide further study.
In short
Is the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking worth it?
- CCST Networking is an entry cert.
- It covers networking basics and support.
- It renews every three years.
Same awarding body
What other credentials does Cisco award?
Worth comparing
How does the Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking compare with similar credentials?
Trust
Where does this information come from?
Everything above is taken from the awarding body's own published material. Fees, question counts and domain weights are revised regularly — check the official page before you pay.
- Cisco Awarding body
- Official Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking exam page Exam page
- Cisco certification programme Programme rules
Research confidence: high · Last reviewed 2026-08