The ServiceNow ecosystem can be an exciting place to be, but, especially for newcomers, it can be somewhat overwhelming with the sheer number of certifications available at the moment.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a handy guide for mainline and expert certifications that help candidates prove their skills and technical knowledge of the ServiceNow Platform.
ServiceNow Mainline Certifications
Certified System Administrator (CSA)
This certification is for those who want to demonstrate the skills and essential knowledge to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of the ServiceNow system.
Those who pass the CSA exam – which is a prerequisite for advanced courses – can boast of a set of skills necessary to continue on ServiceNow certification paths.
If you want to train for the certification, you should take the Welcome to ServiceNow and ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals courses on the ServiceNow Learning Portal.
The following experience is also recommended:
- Experience with industry database concepts and system management.
- A role as a system administrator and/or access to ServiceNow administrative applications and modules.
- An understanding of IT Help Desk processes and incident, problem, and change workflows is helpful.
- Three to six months of experience using and/or maintaining a ServiceNow instance.
- A familiarity with industry terminology, acronyms, and initialisms.
The exam consists of 60 questions, in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. It lasts 90 minutes.
The exam voucher cost is $300 USD if you take the on-demand learning path. Partner and customer discounts may apply.
ServiceNow certifications are based on a specific ServiceNow release. When a new release is launched, you have to keep your certification current, meaning you must participate in the Delta exams and pay the Maintenance Fee.
Certified Application Developer (CAD)
With the Certified Application Developer certification, you can demonstrate that you have the skills and essential knowledge to develop applications to solve business problems, both for employers and for sharing with the ServiceNow ecosystem.
Your prerequisite training should include the Welcome to ServiceNow on-demand course.
The required training for the CAD exam is:
- Scripting in ServiceNow Fundamentals.
- Application Development Fundamentals (after completion of this class, you are eligible for the CAD exam voucher).
It is recommended that you have at least six months of hands-on experience developing applications in ServiceNow.
Successful candidates will have application development and system administration roles and be part of groups that let developers access ServiceNow. Candidates should also have general familiarity with industry terminology, acronyms, and initialisms.
The exam has 60 questions, with a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. The exam duration is 90 minutes, and the exam voucher costs $300 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM)
ServiceNow introduced this certification as a prerequisite for seven CIS exams in a recent reshuffle of the certification landscape. Earning this certification proves a candidate can successfully design, deploy, and operationalize a ServiceNow Configuration Management Database (CMDB) in alignment with the Common Service Data Model (CSDM) framework.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with Now Create.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
The following is required training for the exam:
- Configuration Management Database (CMDB) Fundamentals.
- CMDB Health Simulator.
- Configure the CMDB Simulator.
- Common Service Data Model (CSDM) Fundamentals.
- CMDB Health Deep Dive.
The exam has 75 questions, with a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. The exam duration is 90 minutes, and the exam voucher costs $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Platform Analytics (CIS-PA)
This certification will show that you have the skills to perform the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of a ServiceNow Platform Analytics solution.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals/CSA.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
The following is required training for the exam:
- Performance Analytics Overview.
- Performance Analytics Fundamentals.
- Micro-Certification – Platform Analytics.
- Platform Analytics Advanced.
- Formula Indicators Overview.
- Performance Analytics Implementation Simulators.
Candidates should have six months of field experience participating in ServiceNow Performance Analytics implementation projects, deploying out-of-the-box content along with building custom reports and Performance Analytics objects like KPIs, widgets, dashboards, and collection jobs.
The exam has 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. It lasts 90 minutes. The exam voucher costs $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Discovery (CIS-DISCO)
Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate that they have the skills and essential knowledge to contribute to configuring, administering, implementing, and maintaining the Discovery application within the ServiceNow platform.
Prerequisite training for the certification includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- IT Operations Management (ITOM) Overview.
Applicants will need to have the following certifications:
- Certified Implementation Specialist – Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM)
- Those who already have this certification must pass CIS – Data Foundations before December 31, 2026, to keep their certification from expiring.
The required training for the CIS-DISCO exam includes:
- Discovery Fundamentals (after completion of this course, you are eligible for the CIS-DISCO exam voucher).
It is recommended that candidates have intermediate or above skills in Windows and Unix administration, SNMP query knowledge, and JavaScript and regular expression scripting. Introductory or above network administration knowledge also helps.
Six months of field experience participating in implementing ServiceNow ITOM solutions, specifically Discovery, is also recommended, as is participation in at least two ServiceNow Discovery deployments.
The exam has 45 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. It is 90 minutes long, and the exam voucher costs $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Event Management (CIS-EM)
Candidates who complete this certification will show that they have the skills to contribute to configuration, administration, implementation, and maintenance specific to the Event Management application within the ServiceNow platform.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- IT Operations Management (ITOM) Overview.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
The required training for the CIS-EM exam consists of:
- Event Management Fundamentals (after completion of this class, you are *eligible for the CIS-EM exam voucher).
It is recommended that candidates have six months of field experience participating in ServiceNow deployment projects or maintaining ServiceNow instances, along with participation in at least two ServiceNow ITOM deployments for Event Management.
Intermediate or above skills in Windows and Unix, SNMP query knowledge, and JavaScript and regular expression scripting are also advisable, as is introductory or above network administration knowledge.
The exam consists of 30 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format.
It is 60 minutes long, and the exam voucher costs $450 USD if you take the on-demand learning path.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Hardware Asset Management (CIS-HAM)
This certification is for those who want to demonstrate they have the skills and essential knowledge to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of the ServiceNow ITSM Asset Management and ServiceNow Hardware Asset Management (HAM) applications.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
Applicants will need to have the following certifications:
- Certified Implementation Specialist – Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM).
- Those who already have this certification must pass CIS – Data Foundations before December 31, 2026, to keep their certification from expiring.
The required training for the CIS-HAM exam consists of:
- Hardware Asset Management Fundamentals (after completion of this course, you are eligible for the CIS-HAM exam voucher).
It is recommended that candidates have six months of field experience taking part in ServiceNow deployment projects or maintaining ServiceNow instances.
It would also be good to have participated in at least two ServiceNow deployment projects, specifically ITSM Asset Management and Hardware Asset Management (HAM).
The exam is 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format, lasting 90 minutes and costing $450 USD if you take the on-demand learning path.
Certified Implementation Specialist – IT Service Management (CIS-ITSM)
The CIS-ITSM certification will enable successful candidates to demonstrate that they have the skills to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of the ServiceNow ITSM applications.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- System Administration Advanced.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
Applicants will need to have the following certifications:
- Certified Implementation Specialist – Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM).
- Those who already have this certification must pass CIS – Data Foundations before December 31, 2026, to keep their certification from expiring.
Required training for the CIS-ITSM exam consists of:
- IT Service Management Fundamentals.
- IT Service Management Implementation (after completion of this class, you are eligible for the CIS-ITSM exam voucher).
There are also optional simulators in place for extra practice:
- ITSM Fundamentals LabX.
- IT Service Management (ITSM) Implementation Simulator.
It is recommended that candidates have six plus months of experience with the ServiceNow platform and ServiceNow implementation experience.
The exam has 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. It lasts 90 minutes, and the exam voucher cost is $450 USD if you take the on-demand learning path.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Risk and Compliance (CIS-RC)
This certification is for those who want to show they have the essential knowledge to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of ServiceNow Risk, Policy, and Compliance, and Audit Management applications.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- UI Builder Fundamentals.
- Flow Fundamentals learning path.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
The required training for the CIS-RC exam consists of:
- GRC: Integrated Risk Management (IRM) Fundamentals.
- GRC: Integrated Risk Management (IRM) Implementation.
- GRC: Classic Risk Assessment Fundamentals.
- GRC: Audit Management Essentials.
- GRC: Regulatory Change Management (RCM) Essentials.
- GRC: Integrated Risk Management (IRM) Simulator (after completion of this class, you are *eligible for the CIS-RC exam voucher).
It is recommended that candidates have six months of field experience participating in ServiceNow deployment projects or maintaining ServiceNow instances, and participation in at least two ServiceNow deployment projects.
The exam has 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. It lasts 90 minutes, and the voucher cost is $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Security Incident Response (CIS-SIR)
Successful candidates who complete this certification will show they have the skills and essential knowledge to implement Security Incident Response applications.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
Applicants will need to have the following certifications:
- Certified Implementation Specialist – Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM).
- Those who already have this certification must pass CIS – Data Foundations before December 31, 2026, to keep their certification from expiring.
Required training for the CIS-SIR exam consists of the following:
- Security Operations (SecOps) Fundamentals.
- Security Incident Response (SIR) Implementation (after completion of this class, you are *eligible for the CIS-SIR exam voucher).
It is recommended that candidates have three to six months of field experience participating in a ServiceNow Security Incident Response deployment project or maintaining the SIR application suite in a ServiceNow instance.
The exam has 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format, lasting 90 minutes. The exam voucher costs $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Service Mapping (CIS-SM)
This certification is for those who want to demonstrate the skills and essential knowledge to configure, administer, implement, and maintain the Service Mapping application with the ServiceNow system.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- IT Operations Management (ITOM) Overview.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
Applicants will need to have the following certifications:
- Certified Implementation Specialist – Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM).
- Those who already have this certification must pass CIS – Data Foundations before December 31, 2026, to keep their certification from expiring.
Required training for the CIS-SM exam consists of:
- Service Mapping Fundamentals.
- Service Mapping Advanced (after completion of this class, you are *eligible for the CIS-SM exam voucher).
Candidates are recommended to have six months of field experience and/or participation in at least two ITOM deployments, predominantly Service Mapping, along with general familiarity with industry terminology, acronyms, and initialisms. Intermediate or above Windows and Unix administration skills are also advisable.
The exam has 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. It lasts 90 minutes, and the exam voucher costs $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Software Asset Management (CIS-SAM)
This certification will show that you have the skills and essential knowledge to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of the ServiceNow SAM Professional application.
Prerequisite training consists of:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
Applicants will need to have the following certifications:
- Certified Implementation Specialist – Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM).
- Those who already have this certification must pass CIS – Data Foundations before December 31, 2026, to keep their certification from expiring.
Required training for the CIS-SAM exam includes:
- Software Asset Management Professional Fundamentals (after completion of this class, you are eligible for the CIS-SAM Professional exam voucher).
It is recommended that candidates looking to take the certification exam have six months of field experience participating in ServiceNow deployment projects or maintaining ServiceNow instances, along with participation in at least two ServiceNow deployment projects.
The exam has 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. It lasts 90 minutes, and the exam voucher costs $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Strategic Portfolio Management (CIS-SPM)
Earn this certification to demonstrate you have the skills and essential knowledge to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of ServiceNow SPM applications.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
Required training for the CIS-SPM exam consists of:
- Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) Fundamentals
- Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) Implementation (after completion of this class, you are eligible for the CIS-SPM exam voucher).
It is recommended that candidates have a general familiarity with industry terminology, acronyms, and initialisms, along with six months of field experience participating in ServiceNow deployment projects or maintaining ServiceNow instances.
The exam consists of 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. It lasts 90 minutes. The exam voucher costs $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Third-Party Risk Management (CIS-TPRM)
Show that you have the skills and essential knowledge to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of the ServiceNow GRC: Third Party Risk Management application.
Prerequisite training consists of:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- UI Builder Fundamentals.
- Flow Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
The required training for the CIS-TPRM exam includes:
- GRC: Third-Party Risk Management Fundamentals – Equivalency.
- Third-Party Risk Management Implementation (after completion of this class, you are eligible for the CIS-TPRM exam voucher).
- GRC: Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) Implementation Simulator.
It is recommended that candidates have a general familiarity with industry terminology, acronyms, and initialisms.
The exam has 60 questions, set out in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. It must be completed in 90 minutes, and the exam voucher cost is $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Vulnerability Response (CIS-VR)
Take this certification to demonstrate that you have the skills to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of a ServiceNow Vulnerability Response implementation.
Prerequisite training for the certification includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
Applicants will need to have the following certifications:
- Certified Implementation Specialist – Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM).
- Those who already have this certification must pass CIS – Data Foundations before December 31, 2026, to keep their certification from expiring.
The required training for the CIS-VR exam consists of the following:
- Security Operations (SecOps) Fundamentals.
- Vulnerability Response Implementation (after completion of this class, you are eligible for the CIS-VR exam voucher).
It is advisable to have three to six months of field experience participating in a ServiceNow Security Incident response deployment project or maintaining the SIR application suite in a ServiceNow instance when aiming to achieve this certification.
The exam is 90 minutes long and consists of 45 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. The exam voucher costs $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Service Provider (CIS-SP)
This certification will let candidates demonstrate that they have the skills and essential knowledge to administer a Domain-Separated instance of ServiceNow.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
- Scripting in ServiceNow Fundamentals.
The required training for the CIS-SP exam consists of:
- Domain Separation Basics.
- Domain Separation Implementation.
- Service Provider Architecture (after completion of this class, you are *eligible for the CIS-SP exam voucher).
It is advised that candidates have a general familiarity with industry terminology, acronyms, and initialisms, along with experience in the Service Provider business model, providing IT and other services to external customers, facilitated by ServiceNow.
It is also recommended that you have six months of hands-on implementation experience with a complex enterprise ServiceNow implementation.
The exam is 45 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format, lasting 90 minutes. The exam voucher cost is $450 USD.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Customer Service Management (CIS-CSM)
The Certified Implementation Specialist – Customer Service Management exam certifies that a successful candidate has the skills and essential knowledge to lead and contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of the ServiceNow CSM application.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
The required training for the CIS-CSM exam consists of the following:
- Customer Service Management (CSM) Essentials.
- Customer Service Management (CSM) Implementation Workshop (this course is led by an instructor – after completion of this course, you are eligible for the CIS-CSM exam voucher).
It is recommended that you have practical experience implementing ServiceNow CSM or maintaining the CSM application suite in ServiceNow instances, as well as knowledge of Customer Services Processes and Case workflows.
The exam is 90 minutes long, consisting of 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. The exam voucher costs $450 USD if you take the on-demand learning path.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Field Service Management (CIS-FSM)
After completing the Certified Implementation Specialist – Field Service Management exam, candidates will be able to show that they have the skills and essential knowledge to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of the ServiceNow Field Service application.
Prerequisite training includes:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
Required training for the CIS-FSM exam consists of the following:
- Field Service Management (FSM) Fundamentals.
- Field Service Management (FSM) Implementation (after completion of this course, you are eligible for the CIS-FSM exam voucher).
It is recommended that candidates have six months of field experience taking part in ServiceNow deployment projects or maintaining ServiceNow instances. Participation in at least one ServiceNow Field Service Management deployment project is also desirable.
The exam is 90 minutes long and consists of 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. The exam voucher cost is $450 USD if you take the on-demand learning path.
Certified Implementation Specialist – Human Resources (CIS-HR)
The CIS-HR certification demonstrates that the successful candidate has the skills and essential knowledge to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of the ServiceNow Human Resources suite of applications.
Prerequisite training consists of the following:
- Welcome to ServiceNow.
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals.
- Get Started with the Now Create Methodology.
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation.
Required training for the CIS-HR exam includes:
- Employee Center Essentials.
- Human Resources (HR) Fundamentals.
- Human Resources (HR) Implementation (after completion of this course, you are eligible for the CIS-HR exam voucher).
ServiceNow recommends that candidates have a practical knowledge of Human Resources processes, and some knowledge of IT Service Request workflows is also helpful.
It is also desirable to have three to six months of field experience participating in ServiceNow deployment projects or maintaining ServiceNow instances, and to have taken part in at least one ServiceNow HR deployment project.
The exam is 90 minutes long and consists of 60 questions in a multiple-choice or multiple-select answer format. The exam voucher costs $450 USD if you take the on-demand learning path.
ServiceNow Expert Certifications
Certified Technical Architect (CTA)
A ServiceNow Certified Technical Architect makes sure a business’s goals are achieved by translating technical requirements into architectural solutions.
The CTA has a hand in governance, designing platform models, and making sure their business’s needs are properly aligned with ServiceNow’s capabilities.
You need at least three years’ experience in implementing ServiceNow, along with a history of converting business requirements into ServiceNow platform capabilities.
Applicants will need to have the following certifications:
- Certified System Administrator (CSA).
- Certified Application Developer (CAD).
- Any two Certified Implementation Specialist (CIS) disciplines.
- Architecture Excellence accreditation.
The fee is $7,000 USD, payable after accepting the program offer.
Certified Master Architect (CMA)
The Certified Master Architect is, simply put, a ServiceNow expert. They are expected to be a trusted technical advisor and provide guidance on technology strategy, governance, architecture, and solution design.
They guide customers along the ServiceNow journey, supporting them in aspects ranging from strategy development to execution.
Those who want to take the CMA certification need at least five years of ServiceNow consulting experience, to have worked as a technical lead in more than six large-scale ServiceNow customer implementations, and to have experience working with senior stakeholders, leading technical solutions, and presenting to large audiences.
To be eligible, you need a minimum of the following certifications:
- Certified System Administrator (CSA).
- ITSM Certified Implementation Specialist (CIS-ITSM).
- Certified Application Developer (CAD).
- Any two other Certified Implementation Specialist certifications (CIS in CSM, HR, SecOps, ITOM, etc.).
- ITIL v3.0 or v4.0 Foundation (recommended).
The program fee is $17,000 USD, payable following acceptance of the program offer.
Further Resources
For each of the certification exams, ServiceNow provides plenty more learning resources and documentation through ServiceNow University, providing you with all of the information you might need.
You can also check out our certification guides, which include expert advice to lead you towards earning your certification. And for a comprehensive guide on preparing for a ServiceNow certification, download our free eBook.
Summary
There are many certifications out there for people looking to enter the ServiceNow ecosystem and demonstrate the skills they are building while working with the platform.
Hopefully, our guide has illuminated the differences among the myriad of qualifications on offer and narrowed them down for anyone interested in taking them.