Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking Exam Guide

By Vincent Ruan, EA, CFP®Published July 21, 2026

At a glance

Time limit
50m
Passing score
Pass/Fail
Exam fee
$125
Governing body
Cisco

The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking certification validates foundational networking knowledge for IT Support Technicians, Help Desk Technicians, Network Support Technicians, and IT Support Specialists. It serves as an entry point into the Cisco certification program and a first step toward CCNA, requiring no prerequisites to sit for the exam.

The exam covers six domains: Standards and Concepts (TCP/IP and OSI models, LAN/WAN technologies), Addressing and Subnet Formats (IPv4 and IPv6), Endpoints and Media Types (cables, Wi-Fi, wired technologies), Infrastructure (Cisco devices, routing and switching), Diagnosing Problems (troubleshooting methodologies, Wireshark, diagnostic commands), and Security (firewalls, CIA and AAA concepts, wireless security standards).

The exam registration costs 125 USD. Cisco also offers exam vouchers for 130 USD, which can be redeemed to schedule the CCST Networking exam through a Certiport Authorized Testing Center or via remote proctoring. Each voucher covers a single exam attempt.

The CCST Networking exam (100-150) runs for 50 minutes and is delivered exclusively through Certiport, a Pearson VUE business. Results are reported on a pass/fail basis rather than a published numeric cut score. Successful candidates typically have at least 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the CCST Networking exam cost?

<p>The registration cost for the CCST Networking exam is 125 USD. If you purchase through the Certiport store, a CCST single-exam voucher is sold for 130 USD, and each voucher covers exactly one exam attempt — so a retake means buying another voucher. Once you have a voucher, you can redeem it to schedule the CCST Networking (100-150) exam at a Certiport Authorized Testing Center or via remote proctoring, since the entire CCST program is delivered exclusively through Certiport, a Pearson VUE business.</p>

What topics are on the CCST Networking exam?

<p>The exam is organized into 6 objective domains:</p><ul><li><strong>Standards and Concepts</strong> — the TCP/IP model, OSI model, frames and packets, and the differences between LAN, WAN, MAN, CAN, PAN, and WLAN</li><li><strong>Addressing and Subnet Formats</strong> — private vs. public addresses, IPv4 addresses and subnet formats, and IPv6 addresses and prefix formats</li><li><strong>Endpoints and Media Types</strong> — cables and connectors, Wi-Fi vs. cellular vs. wired technologies, and setting up network connectivity on Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android, and Apple iOS</li><li><strong>Infrastructure</strong> — Cisco device status lights, network diagrams and cabling, device ports, and basic routing and switching concepts</li><li><strong>Diagnosing Problems</strong> — troubleshooting methodologies, packet capture with Wireshark, basic diagnostic commands, and basic show commands on a Cisco device</li><li><strong>Security</strong> — how firewalls filter traffic, foundational concepts like CIA and AAA, and configuring basic wireless security (WPA, WPA2, WPA3)</li></ul><p>Cisco's objective domain document does not publish a percentage weighting for each domain, so plan to prepare across all six rather than betting on any one area dominating the exam.</p>

Do I need any prerequisites or prior experience for the CCST Networking exam?

<p>No exam prerequisites are required to sit for the CCST Networking certification exam. That said, Cisco describes successful candidates as entry-level network technicians with at least 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience, so it is not designed to be passed cold — treat that figure as a rough benchmark for how much structured study and lab practice to put in. The exam targets Network Support Technicians, IT Support Technicians, Help Desk Technicians, and IT Support Specialists, which makes it a realistic first certification for students and career changers moving into IT support roles.</p>

How long is the CCST Networking exam, and how is it scored?

<p>The CCST Networking exam (exam code 100-150) has a duration of 50 minutes. Results are reported on a pass/fail basis rather than against a published numeric cut score, so your goal is demonstrating broad competency across the objective domains — there is no target score to chase. The short time limit also means pacing matters: practicing questions under timed conditions is a sensible part of preparation. Passing earns an entry point into the Cisco certification program, with CCNA positioned as the next certification in the pathway.</p>