Nautobot Certified Associate (NCA) Frequently Asked Questions

The NCA certification is ideal for:

• Network engineers transitioning to network automation
• Network automation practitioners using or planning to use Nautobot
• IT professionals working with Source of Truth systems
• Network to Code training graduates
• Anyone seeking to validate their Nautobot knowledge

While there are no formal prerequisites to take the exam, we recommend:

• 6-12 months of hands-on experience with network automation tools
• Basic networking knowledge (routing, switching, IP addressing)
• Familiarity with REST APIs and data formats (JSON/YAML)
• Basic understanding of Python programming and Ansible automation
• Completion of Network to Code’s Source of Truth and Nautobot Fundamentals training (recommended but not required)

No. The NCA certification is open to anyone who meets the recommended experience requirements, regardless of whether they are a Network to Code customer.

The exam covers seven domains with the following weightings:

For a detailed breakdown of skills and topics, refer to the Exam Blueprint.

For security reasons, individual question results are not provided. You will receive a pass/fail result and a domain-level performance breakdown showing your strengths and areas for improvement.

There is no appointment to cancel or reschedule. Unlike traditional testing centers, the NCA exam is on-demand. Once purchased, you have 12 months to take your exam whenever you’re ready.

Exam pricing varies by region. Current pricing information is available on the Nautobot Certification Portal.

Payment Method: Credit card only

Contact certifications@networktocode.com for:

• Enterprise pricing or bulk purchases
• Alternative payment arrangements for organizations

Contact certifications@networktocode.com for discount eligibility and pricing.

No refunds are available. Because the NCA exam is available on-demand 24/7, please review all requirements before purchasing:

• Read this FAQ thoroughly
• Review the Exam Blueprint
• Complete the Honorlock System Check
• Ensure you meet all technical and testing environment requirements

If you have any questions before purchasing, contact certifications@networktocode.com.

Study time varies based on your experience level:

• Experienced Automation Engineers (1+ years): 2-4 weeks of focused study
• Network Engineers New to Automation: 6-8 weeks with hands-on practice
• Complete Beginners: 8-12 weeks including foundational automation training

We recommend dedicating 5-10 hours per week to exam preparation.

Recommended training courses include:

• Source of Truth (SoT) and Nautobot Fundamentals (Highly Recommended)
• Network Programming and Automation Courses
• Nautobot App Development Workshop

Visit networktocode.com/training for course schedules and registration.

Hands-on labs are NOT required to take the exam, but practical experience is strongly recommended for effective preparation.

Why hands-on practice helps:

• The exam includes scenario-based questions testing practical application
• Candidates with hands-on experience typically perform significantly better
• Practical skills help you understand “why” not just “what”

Recommended hands-on resources:

• 100 Days of Nautobot (First 30 days) – Step-by-step practical exercises
• Set up a local Nautobot lab – Docker or native installation
• Official Nautobot Documentation – Includes hands-on tutorials
• Source of Truth and Nautobot Fundamentals training – Instructor-led with labs

Note: You can take the exam without lab access, but hands-on preparation significantly improves your chances of passing.

For online proctored exams, you must have:

Before purchasing: Complete the Honorlock System Check to verify your computer meets all requirements.

Your testing environment must meet these requirements:

• Private room with closed door (no other people allowed)
• Clean workspace – no books, papers, notes, electronic devices, or writing materials within reach
• Quiet location without background noise or distractions
• Adequate lighting so your face is clearly visible on webcam
• Blank walls – whiteboards or posters with writing will be flagged during room scan

Not allowed:

• Additional monitors (must be unplugged and turned off)
• Mobile phones, smart watches, or headphones
• Food (water in a clear glass is permitted)
• Hats or headwear (religious exemptions available)

You must present one valid, government-issued photo ID that includes:

• Your photo
• Your signature
• Your full name (must match your registration exactly)
• Current expiration date (unexpired)

Acceptable forms of ID:

• Driver’s license
• State ID
• Passport
• National ID card
• Military ID

Not acceptable:

• Expired IDs
• Student IDs
• Name change documents without photo ID

You must comply with the following rules during your exam:

During Your Exam:

• Do not cheat or allow someone else to take your exam for you
• Do not record, share, or allow others to see your exam content
• Do not leave the webcam view during the exam
• Remain quiet unless instructed by your proctor
• Do not access your phone or other devices without proctor permission
• Your session will be recorded for quality and security purposes

If You Need Help:

• Live proctor support is available via chat only
• Proctors cannot pause or add time to your exam
• Proctors cannot troubleshoot technical issues with your computer or network

Violations:

• Breaking these rules may result in immediate exam termination
• You will forfeit your exam fee
• You may be banned from future certification attempts

No, breaks are not permitted during the NCA exam. The 90-minute exam is continuous. If you leave your computer for any reason, the proctor will terminate your exam session and you will not be able to continue.

Tips:

• Use the restroom before starting check-in
• Have water in a clear glass (eating, smoking, and chewing gum are prohibited)
• Ensure you’re comfortable and prepared to sit for the full 90 minutes

You will receive your pass/fail result immediately upon completing the exam. However, in cases of suspected test violations, a proctor review may be conducted before your results are finalized. Your official score report will be available in your certification portal within 1-2 weeks.

If you experience technical issues:

1. During Check-In: Contact proctor support via chat in the proctoring software
2. During Exam: The 90-minute timer continues running. If there is a system crash, you may be able to resume. Idle time counts against your exam time.
3. After Exam: Contact certifications@networktocode.com within 24 hours with your exan details

If anyone enters your testing room during the exam, your exam will be immediately terminated and you will forfeit your exam fee. Ensure that others in your home or office know you are testing and that the door should not be opened.

Your score report includes:

• Overall pass/fail status
• Total scaled score (if passed)

The NCA exam uses scaled scoring from 100-1000, with a passing score of 700 (70%). Scaled scoring ensures fairness across different exam versions with varying difficulty levels.

Upon passing, you will receive below:

• Digital Certificate – Downloadable PDF certificate
• Digital Badge – Shareable badge for LinkedIn, email signatures, and social media
• Certification Validation – Publicly verifiable link to confirm your certification status
• Certification ID – Unique identifier for verification purposes

Important: Upon successful completion of all certification requirements, please allow 2-4 weeks for processing and issuance of your official certificate and digital badge. You will receive an email notification once your credentials are ready to access.

Access Your Credentials: After passing, you’ll receive an email with instructions to claim your certificate and badge.

Note: Physical/printed certificates are not available. All credentials are digital only.

The NCA certification is valid for 3 years from the date you pass the exam. You must recertify before expiration to maintain your certified status.

Yes! We encourage you to share your achievement:

• One-click sharing to LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook
• Automatically includes your certificate image and verification link
• Use hashtag #NautobotCertified when sharing

Add to Professional Profiles:

• LinkedIn: Add to “Licenses & Certifications” section with your verification link
• Email signature: Embed your digital badge
• Personal website: Display your badge with verification link
• Resume: Include certification name, date, and verification URL

Your exam purchase includes two total attempts:

• 1st Attempt: Included with purchase
• 2nd Attempt (Retry): Free retry if you fail the first attempt (must wait 14 days)
• 3rd+ Attempts: Requires purchasing a new exam

Note: After 2 failed attempts, we strongly recommend taking a Network to Code training course before purchasing additional attempts.

You can recertify at any time during your active certification period by:

Option 1: Retake the NCA Exam

• Take and pass the current version of the NCA exam
• Certification is renewed for 3 years from the new exam date

Option 2: Pass a Higher-Level Exam

• Passing the Nautobot Certified Professional (NCP) or higher automatically renews your NCA for 3 more years

Important: You must recertify before your certification expiration date to maintain your certified status.

If you have an expired certification, you must complete the full exam process again to earn active status:

• Purchase a new exam
• Take and pass the current version of the exam
• No grace period or partial credit
• Your certification history is retained in your profile for record-keeping.

English only.

You must be 18+ to take the NCA exam.

If exam security flags suspicious behavior:

• Your exam session will be reviewed by our security team
• Video/audio recordings and system logs will be analyzed
• You will be notified of the investigation and given an opportunity to respond
• Potential outcomes: exam invalidation, certification revocation, testing ban

To avoid issues:

• Follow all exam policies and proctor instructions
• Ensure your testing environment is clear of prohibited materials
• Maintain visual contact with your webcam throughout the exam
• Do not speak aloud, read questions out loud, or make suspicious movements

No. The NCA exam is closed-book. You may not use:

• Physical books, notes, or printed materials
• Electronic devices (phones, tablets, smartwatches)
• Online resources, documentation, or search engines
• Scratch paper, whiteboards, or writing utensils
• Some online proctored exams may offer a digital whiteboard feature within the exam software – check your exam instructions.

Network to Code collects minimal information necessary for exam delivery and certification:

Information Collected:

• Name – For certification record
• Email address – For account access and communications
• Payment information – Processed securely (not stored by Network to Code)
• Exam results – Score, pass/fail status, and number of attempts

NOT Collected:

• Social security number or government ID number
• Physical address (unless voluntarily provided)
• Phone number (unless voluntarily provided)
• Demographic information beyond what’s required for certification

Your exam results and certification status are used for:

• Issuing your digital certificate and badge
• Verification of certification status by employers
• Tracking recertification requirements

Our exam platform and proctoring provider are designed to comply with GDPR and CCPA privacy requirements:

Proctoring Data:

• Data Retention: Exam recordings and proctoring data retained for 365 days, then securely deleted
• What’s Recorded: Video/audio of exam session, screen recording, room scan, ID verification photos, exam responses and timestamps
• Privacy Compliance: GDPR and CCPA compliant
• Access: Limited to authorized personnel for security review only

Exam Platform Data:

• Data Retention: Certification records retained indefinitely for verification purposes
• What’s Stored: Name, email, exam scores, pass/fail status, certification issue/expiration dates
• Privacy Compliance: GDPR and CCPA compliant
• Access: Limited to Network to Code certification team

For detailed privacy policies, contact certifications@networktocode.com.

Yes. Under GDPR and CCPA regulations, you have the right to request:

• Access to your personal data
• Deletion of your personal data
• Correction of inaccurate data

To request data deletion or access, contact certifications@networktocode.com with your full name and exam date.

If the proctor suspects you are using unauthorized materials:

• Your exam will be immediately terminated
• The incident will be reported to the certification security team
• Your exam fee will be forfeited
• You may be banned from future certification attempts

Yes! You can add your certification to LinkedIn:

Option 1: Direct Share (Recommended)

1. Log into your certification portal
2. Click “Share” on your NCA certificate
3. Select “LinkedIn” – it will auto-populate all information
4. Review and post

Option 2: Manual LinkedIn Entry

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile → “Licenses & Certifications”
2. Click “Add” and enter:
   • Name: Nautobot Certified Associate (NCA)
   • Issuing Organization: Network to Code
   • Issue Date: [Your exam date]
   • Expiration Date: [3 years from issue date]
   • Credential ID: [From your certificate]
   • Credential URL: [Your verification link]

Your LinkedIn network will be notified of your new certification!

NCA certification can help you pursue roles such as:

• Network Automation Engineer
• Nautobot Administrator
• Network DevOps Engineer
• Source of Truth Specialist
• Network Systems Engineer
• Infrastructure Automation Consultant

Many employers recognize NCA as validation of network automation skills and prioritize certified candidates.

Additional certifications are currently in development. Details on availability and requirements will be announced in the future. Check networktocode.com/certifications for updates.

Official certification resources:

• Certification Portal: https://learning.networktocode.com
• Certification Overview: https://networktocode.com/certifications
• Exam Policies: https://networktocode.com/certifications/policies
• Community Discussion: Network to Code Slack

Yes! We offer partnership opportunities for:

• Training delivery partners
• Corporate learning & development programs
• Academic institutions
• Technology partners

Contact certifications@networktocode.com for partnership information.

• Basic networking knowledge
• Familiarity with network automation concepts
• Some experience with Nautobot (recommended)

• 6-12 months hands-on experience with network automation tools
• Basic understanding of REST APIs and data formats (JSON/YAML)
• Familiarity with network device configuration and management
• Basic knowledge of Python programming and Ansible automation

Domain 1: Network Automation Fundamentals (10%)

1.1 Introduction to Network Automation

• Define network automation and its core principles
• Identify network automation use cases and benefits
• Understand persona-driven network automation approaches
• Explain why organizations should automate their networks

1.2 Source of Truth (SoT) Principles

• Define Source of Truth (SoT) and its importance
• Compare different approaches to implementing SoT
• Identify SoT tools and products in the market
• Understand systems of record vs. operational state
• Distinguish between intended state and operational state

Domain 2: Nautobot Platform Knowledge (20%) — HIGHEST WEIGHT

2.1 Nautobot Overview

• Explain what Nautobot is and its core purpose
• Describe Nautobot as a unified source of truth
• Understand Nautobot as an application platform
• Identify Nautobot’s origins and evolution
• Navigate the Nautobot ecosystem and community

2.2 Nautobot Architecture

• Understand Nautobot’s architectural components
• Explain the role of the Nautobot worker
• Describe the Nautobot web service architecture
• Understand database and caching layers (PostgreSQL, Redis)
• Identify system dependencies and requirements
• Architecture components and worker processes

2.3 Nautobot Use Cases

• Network source of truth implementation
• Network automation platform capabilities
• Integration with existing network tools
• Multi-tenant network management
• Configuration compliance and validation

Domain 3: Installation, Configuration, and User Interface (15%)

3.1 Installation and Deployment

• Install Nautobot on Ubuntu systems
• Configure system dependencies (PostgreSQL, Redis, etc.)
• Set up Nautobot application and worker services
• Configure Nautobot as Linux services
• Perform initial system configuration

3.2 User Interface and Navigation

• Navigate the Nautobot web interface
• Understand the home page and dashboard panels
• Use table views and detailed object views
• Utilize footer navigation and search functionality
• Manage user permissions and access controls

3.3 Initial Configuration and Bootstrapping

• Use the Welcome Wizard app for initial setup
• Load initial data using the graphical interface
• Identify and organize data for import
• Configure organizational and device data structures
• Implement best practices for system bootstrapping

Domain 4: Core Data Models and IPAM (15%)

4.1 Network Device Inventory Models

• Configure devices, device types, and manufacturers
• Manage device components and platforms
• Implement roles and statuses for devices
• Configure virtual chassis and device redundancy groups
• Manage interface redundancy groups
• Organize devices using racks and locations
• Understand location types and hierarchies

4.2 IP Address Management (IPAM)

• Configure IP addresses and prefixes
• Implement namespaces and VRFs
• Manage VLANs and VLAN groups
• Configure Regional Internet Registries (RIRs)
• Set up route targets for VPN services
• Design and implement IPAM hierarchies

4.3 Circuit and Power Management

• Model circuits and circuit terminations
• Configure circuit types and providers
• Manage provider networks
• Implement power management with panels and feeds
• Understand cabling relationships and documentation

Domain 5: Advanced Features and Extensibility (15%)

5.1 Data Model Extensibility

• Create and manage custom fields
• Implement computed fields for dynamic data
• Configure custom relationships between objects
• Use config contexts for device-specific data
• Develop custom data models when needed

5.2 Secrets Management

• Understand secrets vs. secrets groups
• Implement security best practices for secrets
• Configure secrets providers and access controls
• Access secrets programmatically in automation

5.3 Advanced Features

• Use notes and tags for documentation
• Monitor changes with changelog functionality
• Utilize filter forms for data discovery
• Implement high availability configurations
• Manage tenancy and multi-tenant deployments

5.4 Nautobot Apps and Extensions

• Install and configure Nautobot apps
• Understand the app ecosystem
• Use popular apps (Device Onboarding, Golden Configuration, etc.)
• Configure ChatOps integration
• Manage app dependencies and updates

Domain 6: Network Programming and Automation Integration (15%)

6.1 API Access and Integration

• Use Nautobot’s REST API for data access
• Implement GraphQL queries for basic data retrieval
• Work with dictionaries and nested objects
• Understand API authentication and permissions
• Integrate with external systems via APIs

6.2 Python Integration

• Use pynautobot library for Python automation
• Implement basic Python scripts for Nautobot interaction
• Understand data serialization and API responses
• Handle errors and exceptions in automation scripts

6.3 Ansible Integration

• Configure nautobot-ansible collection
• Use Ansible playbooks with Nautobot data
• Implement dynamic inventories from Nautobot
• Create basic automation workflows

6.4 Jobs and Extensibility

• Understand Nautobot jobs framework
• Create basic custom jobs for automation
• Schedule and monitor job execution
• Implement data validation through jobs

Domain 7: Best Practices and Operational Management (10%)

7.1 Data Management Best Practices

• Implement consistent naming conventions
• Design scalable data hierarchies
• Plan for data migration and imports
• Maintain data quality and validation

7.2 System Administration

• Monitor system performance and health
• Implement backup and recovery procedures
• Manage system updates and maintenance
• Troubleshoot common system issues

7.3 Documentation and Change Management

• Document system configurations and procedures
• Track changes and maintain audit trails
• Implement approval workflows where needed
• Plan for disaster recovery scenarios