The short version
Passing 200-901 CCNAAUTO earns the CCNA Automation credential, and Cisco says it is valid for three years. You can renew it with continuing education credits or by passing an exam before the three years run out. If you fail the exam, you wait five calendar days before you try again.
Does the credential expire?
Yes. Cisco’s certification page states that the credential is valid for three years. After that it becomes inactive unless you renew it in time. Cisco’s exam policies page describes the same three-year cycle for associate-level certifications, and says that completing a renewal resets the clock to a full three years counted from the renewal date.
Cisco does not publish a separate expiry for the exam score itself in the pages we checked. What counts is the credential and its deadline, so note the date you passed in your calendar.
Ways to renew
Cisco’s certification page names two routes:
- Exams. Pass the current CCNA Automation exam (200-901 CCNAAUTO), or pass any higher-level Cisco certification exam.
- Continuing education. Earn 30 CE credits through Cisco training or webinars, or through approved courses.
Cisco’s page says you can renew with credits or retake exams before the credential expires, and that the renewal has to happen within the three-year period. Which activities earn how many credits, and what counts as a higher-level exam, are Cisco’s decisions. Read them on the vendor page before you plan, because lists like these change. We do not print any fees here, since they change and depend on your location.
The deadline and what happens if it lapses
Renew inside the three-year window. If the window closes first, the credential becomes inactive. Cisco’s policies page says that to become active again you have to meet the current certification requirements in full. In plain words: a lapsed credential is not paused, you start the requirement again, and the requirement in force is the one that applies on that day, not the one from when you first passed.
For this reason many people renew early rather than at the last minute. A reminder six months before the end date is a sensible habit.
Retake rules for a failed attempt
The retake rules are separate from renewal and apply any time you sit the exam.
| Situation | What Cisco states |
|---|---|
| You fail the exam | Wait five calendar days, counted from the day after the failed attempt |
| You pass the exam and want to sit it again | Wait at least 180 days before taking the same exam number |
| Limit on attempts | Cisco’s policies page sets no overall cap on written exam attempts beyond the waiting periods |
Every attempt is a new booking, so use the five days well. Look at your score report, which shows results by exam section, and spend the days on your weakest section. Do not spend them rereading everything. The exam format page explains the score report in more detail.
The 180-day rule matters for renewal too. If you plan to renew by passing 200-901 CCNAAUTO again, you cannot do it within 180 days of your last pass.
What if the exam changes or is retired?
Cisco’s certification page names the current exam as 200-901 CCNAAUTO version 1.1, and it shows no retirement date or successor. Cisco’s exam topics change from time to time, and the topic list itself says that topics can change without notice. So check the exam page and the exam topics page when you start preparing and again when you book. If you are renewing years from now, the current exam may be a newer version than the one you first passed. The wording on the certification page, “the current exam”, suggests that a renewal uses whichever version is current then. Confirm that on Cisco’s page when the time comes.
A timeline example
This is an illustration, not a rule, and the dates are invented.
- March 2027: you pass 200-901 CCNAAUTO. The credential is valid until March 2030.
- Late 2029: you set a reminder and pick a route. You have been collecting CE credits through training during the three years, so you check whether you have the 30 you need.
- Before March 2030: you either submit the credits or pass an exam. The clock then restarts and you get another three full years.
- If you miss it: the credential goes inactive, and you rebuild it under the then-current requirements.
If you fail an attempt along the way, the five-day wait only delays the next try. It does not extend the deadline.
Planning tips
- Keep proof of every training or webinar that might earn credits.
- Write down the exact end date of your validity as soon as you pass.
- Decide early whether a higher-level exam is part of your career plan, since passing one can also renew this credential.
- Re-read the topic list before a renewal exam. Your daily work may have drifted away from what the exam asks.
More guides for CCNAAUTO-200-901
- 200-901 CCNAAUTO Domains Explained
- 200-901 CCNAAUTO Sample Questions
- Is the 200-901 CCNAAUTO Exam Hard?
- 200-901 CCNAAUTO Prerequisites
- Is 200-901 CCNAAUTO Worth It? An Honest Look
- 200-901 CCNAAUTO Cheat Sheet: Key Facts
- CCNA vs CCNA Automation: Which Exam First?
Next step
If you are planning your first attempt, start with the study plan and read the overview for the full picture. For timed practice before an attempt or a renewal exam, the 200-901 practice exams give you results by domain. You can read Cisco’s own renewal rules on its CCNA Automation page.
FAQ
How long is CCNA Automation valid?
Three years, according to Cisco’s certification page.
How many CE credits do I need?
Cisco’s page lists 30 CE credits as one renewal route. Check the page for what counts.
Can I retake right after failing?
No. You wait five calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt.
Is there a limit on attempts?
Cisco’s policies page sets no overall cap for written exams. Each attempt needs a new booking.