Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF)

CKAD

Certified Kubernetes Application Developer

A hands-on, performance-based certification validating the ability to design, build, configure, and deploy cloud-native applications on Kubernetes. Highly valued for cloud-native developer and platform roles.

$4452 hours

What's on the exam

CKAD Curriculum (current Kubernetes release)

Application Design and Build

20%

Container images and Dockerfiles · Defining and running Pods · Multi-container Pod patterns · Jobs and CronJobs · Persistent and ephemeral volumes

Application Deployment

20%

Deployments and rolling updates · Rollbacks and deployment strategies · Blue/green and canary concepts · Helm and Kustomize basics · Scaling applications

Application Observability and Maintenance

15%

Liveness, readiness, and startup probes · Container logging · Monitoring applications · Debugging Pods and containers · API deprecations and updates

Application Environment, Configuration, and Security

25%

ConfigMaps and Secrets · Resource requests and limits · ServiceAccounts and SecurityContexts · Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs) · Authentication and authorization basics

Services and Networking

20%

Services and Endpoints · NetworkPolicies · Ingress rules and controllers · DNS within the cluster · Exposing applications

Frequently asked questions

How much does the CKAD cost?

The CKAD costs $445. Includes one free retake; price set by the Linux Foundation and may change.

How long is the CKAD and how many questions does it have?

Real-world tasks performed in live Kubernetes clusters — 2 hours.

What do you need to pass the CKAD?

66%.

Can you retake the CKAD?

One free retake included; further retakes require a new registration.

What is the best way to study for the CKAD?

Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Application Design and Build 20%, Application Deployment 20%, Application Observability and Maintenance 15%, Application Environment, Configuration, and Security 25%, Services and Networking 20%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.

Program in development

We're building a blueprint-complete program for this exam. Meanwhile, explore live programs across 11 exam.

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