Cisco has confirmed that the CCNA is changing on 3 February 2027, and if you are studying for the 200-301 right now you have a decision to make. The CCNA v2.0 refresh brings a dedicated artificial intelligence section, a heavier focus on troubleshooting, and more cloud networking, while trimming some of the older foundational theory. This is the biggest shake-up to the exam since the 200-301 blueprint first appeared, so it is worth understanding exactly what is happening before you book your seat.
The short answer is this. If you are close to exam-ready, sit the current 200-301 before 3 February 2027 and take the win. If you are only just starting out and will not be ready until well into 2027, prepare for v2.0 from the beginning rather than learning a blueprint that is about to be replaced. The rest of this guide explains why, with the confirmed dates and changes so you can make the call with confidence.
What Is Actually Changing With CCNA v2.0?
Cisco announced the CCNA v2.0 refresh on 20 May 2026 and spotlighted it at Cisco Live, its flagship conference. The most important thing to understand is that this is a content refresh, not a retirement. The exam code stays the same, and the certification you earn is identical in name and value whichever version you sit.
Here is what is confirmed:
- The exam code does not change. It remains 200-301 for both the current version and v2.0.
- A brand new AI pillar. The headline addition is a dedicated section on the role of AI in network operations, covering how AI is impacting network management, AI-assisted troubleshooting, practical uses of generative AI in networking workflows, and the responsible implementation of AI technologies.
- A heavier troubleshooting focus. Topics that v1.1 tested at the configuration level now ask you to diagnose, isolate and fix faults. Cisco is rebuilding the exam around practical problem solving rather than pure recall.
- More cloud networking. Cloud-managed networking, modern management platforms, cloud connectivity concepts and hybrid environments get more weight.
- A restructured blueprint. The exam moves from six domains to four broader pillars: network infrastructure, troubleshooting and problem solving, a security-first mindset, and AI's role in network operations.
- Some foundational theory is trimmed. To make room for the new material, Cisco has cut a chunk of older theory that had been carried on the blueprint for years.
Core skills are not going anywhere. Network fundamentals, Ethernet switching, VLANs, IP addressing and subnetting, routing, network services, security and automation all remain central to the certification. If you have already built those foundations, most of your knowledge carries straight across to v2.0.
Exam Tip: The CCNA credential is valid for three years regardless of which version you pass. A CCNA earned on v1.1 in January 2027 holds exactly the same weight as one earned on v2.0 the following month, so do not let fear of an "old" certification rush a bad decision.
The Key Dates You Need to Know
The cutover is fixed and there is no overlap period where both versions run side by side. This matters, because it sets a hard deadline for anyone who wants to sit the current blueprint.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| CCNA v2.0 announced (Cisco Live) | 20 May 2026 |
| Last day to sit the current 200-301 (v1.1) | 2 February 2027 |
| CCNA v2.0 goes live | 3 February 2027 |
| CCNA validity period (either version) | 3 years from pass date |
In practical terms, you have until 2 February 2027 to sit the current exam. From 3 February 2027 onwards, v2.0 is the only option. There is no phased rollout and no grace window, so if you are set on the current blueprint you need to book and pass before that date.
Current CCNA 200-301 Exam At A Glance
Before you decide, it helps to know exactly what the current exam looks like. These facts apply to the v1.1 blueprint you can sit today.
- Exam cost: 300 US dollars, plus local taxes.
- Number of questions: typically 100 to 120 questions, and the exact count varies slightly between exam forms.
- Duration: 120 minutes.
- Passing score: Cisco does not publish an official pass mark. Scores are reported on a scaled range of roughly 300 to 1000, and the cut score is set per exam form. A commonly cited estimate is around 825 out of 1000.
- Prerequisites: none. The CCNA is an associate-level certification open to anyone.
Exam Tip: Because Cisco does not publish a fixed pass mark, do not aim to scrape a borderline score. Build a comfortable margin across every topic area so that a couple of hard question forms cannot sink you on the day.
Should You Sit 200-301 Now or Wait for v2.0?
This is the question that matters, and the honest answer depends on where you are in your study journey. Work out which of the three groups below you fall into.
Sit the current 200-301 now if you are close to ready
If you have already put in months of study, your labs are solid, and you could realistically be exam-ready before early February 2027, book the current exam and take it. There is no benefit to throwing away work you have already done to relearn a reshuffled blueprint. You earn the same CCNA, valid for the same three years, and you get certified sooner.
This is also the smart move if you are chasing a job or a promotion that lists CCNA as a requirement. Getting certified in 2026 or January 2027 puts the credential on your CV months earlier than waiting for v2.0.
Wait for v2.0 if you are only just starting out
If you are at the very beginning and realistically will not be ready until the second quarter of 2027 or later, prepare for v2.0 from day one. There is little sense in learning a blueprint that expires while you are still studying, then having to re-map your knowledge to the new pillars right before your exam.
Waiting also means you learn the AI, cloud and troubleshooting content that employers increasingly expect. A v2.0 CCNA signals that you trained on the current, modernised syllabus rather than the version Cisco has just replaced.
It barely matters if you are somewhere in the middle
If you could go either way, weigh two things: how confident you are of passing before the deadline, and how much the newer content appeals to you. If you are confident and want the credential fast, sit v1.1. If you would rather learn the AI and cloud material and are not in a rush, let the deadline pass and study for v2.0. Neither choice is wrong, because the certification itself is identical.
Here is a quick way to decide at a glance.
| Your situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Exam-ready or close, before Feb 2027 | Sit current 200-301 now |
| CCNA needed for a job or promotion soon | Sit current 200-301 now |
| Just starting, ready mid-2027 or later | Study for v2.0 |
| Want AI, cloud and troubleshooting skills | Study for v2.0 |
| Genuinely undecided, no deadline pressure | Either, pick on content preference |
How to Prepare Whichever Version You Choose
The good news is that most of your preparation is the same for both versions. The core of the CCNA has always been network fundamentals, switching, routing, IP services, security fundamentals and automation, and all of that carries across. If you build strong foundations now, you are ready for either blueprint with only a top-up needed for v2.0.
Follow this plan:
- Master the fundamentals first. Subnetting, the OSI and TCP/IP models, switching and routing basics never change. Get these to the point where they are automatic.
- Lab everything. Cisco is pushing v2.0 towards diagnosis and troubleshooting, and that skill only comes from hands-on practice. Build topologies, break them on purpose, and fix them.
- Practise with exam-style questions. The fastest way to expose weak areas is to sit realistic practice questions under timed conditions, then review every wrong answer until you understand it.
- Add the v2.0 layer only if you are waiting. If you are studying for the new version, layer the AI in network operations, cloud networking and expanded troubleshooting content on top of your fundamentals once Cisco publishes the finalised blueprint.
If you are still weighing up which Cisco track suits you, our guide on how to pass the Cisco CCNA (200-301) exam walks through a full 12-week study plan you can start today. If security is your longer-term goal, it is also worth reading how Cisco CyberOps became CCNA Cybersecurity (200-201), because the two associate tracks pair well.
The Bottom Line
CCNA v2.0 arrives on 3 February 2027, adding a dedicated AI section, deeper troubleshooting and more cloud networking, while keeping the same exam code, the same three-year validity, and the same core skills. It is a modernisation, not a downgrade of the version you can sit today.
If you are ready or nearly ready, sit the current 200-301 before 2 February 2027 and get certified sooner. If you are just starting and will not be ready until well into 2027, aim straight for v2.0 so you learn the current syllabus once rather than twice. Either way, the CCNA you earn is the same respected associate-level credential, so the decision comes down to timing and which content you would rather study.
Ready to Start Practising?
The single biggest predictor of passing the CCNA, on either version, is the volume of realistic practice questions you work through before exam day. CertCrush gives you exam-style CCNA questions with full explanations so you can find and fix your weak areas fast, whether you are targeting the current 200-301 or preparing for v2.0.
- Explore our certification courses and CCNA question banks.
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- Create a free account and start practising today.
Make your decision, set your deadline, and start putting in the reps. The version you sit matters far less than how ready you are when you walk into the exam room.