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ServiceNow Certified Application Developer CAD Quick Facts
The ServiceNow Certified Application Developer (CAD) certification empowers professionals to create, extend, and customize ServiceNow applications with confidence. This overview gives you a clear path toward earning your CAD certification and mastering the end-to-end application development lifecycle on the ServiceNow Platform.
How does the ServiceNow Certified Application Developer credential elevate your platform expertise?
The ServiceNow Certified Application Developer certification validates your ability to design, build, and implement custom applications that extend ServiceNow’s capabilities. It is ideal for developers who want to deepen their platform knowledge, automate workflows, and provide scalable digital solutions that address real business needs. Through this certification, you demonstrate your ability to create tailored applications, configure UI components, manage data, integrate with external systems, and apply security best practices—helping your organization get even more value from the Now Platform.
Who Should Earn the ServiceNow Certified Application Developer (CAD) Certification?
The ServiceNow Certified Application Developer (CAD) certification is designed for professionals who are passionate about creating, customizing, and automating business applications on the ServiceNow Platform. It’s ideal for:
- ServiceNow developers and administrators eager to expand their technical expertise
- IT professionals who want to design innovative workflows and application logic
- Those looking to transition into ServiceNow development roles
- Consultants and technical staff supporting ServiceNow-based solutions
Whether you’re improving internal business processes or building applications for clients, this certification showcases your ability to turn ideas into scalable solutions within the ServiceNow ecosystem.
What Career Opportunities Can This Certification Unlock?
Earning your ServiceNow CAD certification opens doors to multiple high-impact roles within IT and enterprise automation. With this credential, you can pursue roles such as:
- ServiceNow Application Developer
- ServiceNow Technical Consultant
- Process Automation Specialist
- Platform Owner or Administrator
- Implementation Specialist
ServiceNow skills are in high demand across industries like finance, healthcare, and technology, making this certification a career booster for anyone aspiring to work in business automation, ITSM, or custom application development.
How Much Does the ServiceNow CAD Exam Cost?
The ServiceNow Certified Application Developer exam costs $300 USD. This fee covers your exam registration and one attempt at the test. Depending on your organization or training provider, you may be eligible for complimentary attempts or discounted pricing through instructor-led ServiceNow training programs.
What Is the Exam Code for This Certification?
The official exam code for this certification is CAD. This code is used when registering for the Certified Application Developer exam through ServiceNow’s learning portal or Pearson testing centers.
How Many Questions Are on the CAD Exam?
You’ll encounter 60 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions during the exam. Each question is worth one point, and all questions contribute to your total score. There are no case study or performance-based items, allowing you to focus on scenario-based knowledge and platform understanding.
How Long Do You Get to Complete the Exam?
The total exam duration is 90 minutes. This gives you ample time to read through each question carefully and apply your knowledge of the ServiceNow platform. To manage your time effectively, aim to spend about one minute per question.
What Is the Passing Score for the CAD Exam?
To pass the exam, your score must meet or exceed the predetermined cut score, which is not publicly shared but generally aligns around the 70% benchmark. A conditional pass or fail is displayed immediately after you submit your exam, and then finalized following a review by the ServiceNow certification team.
What Languages Is the ServiceNow CAD Exam Offered In?
The CAD exam is currently available in English and Japanese. As ServiceNow expands its certification offerings globally, additional languages may be added in future updates to accommodate a broader community of learners.
How Is the ServiceNow CAD Exam Structured?
The exam follows a multiple-choice and multiple-select format. You may see:
- Single-answer multiple-choice questions, where only one correct option is chosen
- Multi-select questions, where more than one response is correct and must be selected as specified
Partial credit is not awarded, so ensure you carefully evaluate all given options before finalizing your answers.
What Are the Major Knowledge Domains Covered in the Exam?
The exam blueprint is divided into six major domains, each testing a crucial area of ServiceNow application development:
- Designing and Creating an Application
- Application User Interface
- Security and Restricting Access
- Application Automation
- Working with External Data
- Managing Applications
Each domain ensures you demonstrate complete proficiency in building and maintaining ServiceNow applications from start to finish.
Are There Any Prerequisites?
There are no strict prerequisites, but ServiceNow recommends that candidates have:
- Six months of hands-on experience developing apps within ServiceNow
- Core understanding of system administration and scripting fundamentals
- Familiarity with basic configuration and automation concepts within the platform
Completing ServiceNow’s foundational courses—Welcome to ServiceNow, Scripting in ServiceNow Fundamentals, and Application Development Fundamentals—is strongly encouraged before attempting the exam.
How Should I Prepare for the ServiceNow CAD Exam?
Preparation involves a blend of formal study and hands-on experience. You can:
- Practice developing applications in a personal developer instance from ServiceNow Developer Portal
- Review official course content and documentation on platform architecture and scripting
- Test your readiness with hands-on ServiceNow CAD practice exams and questions that simulate the real exam experience
Consistency and real-world experimentation will reinforce your understanding of concepts across all exam domains.
What Are Some Key Skills Validated by This Certification?
The certification confirms your ability to:
- Design robust data schemas and tables that support business functions
- Implement secure access through well-structured Access Controls
- Automate business workflows using Flow Designer and script logic
- Integrate external data via REST APIs and ServiceNow imports
- Manage version control with Git and deployment through the application repository
In essence, you’ll gain full command over turning ideas into scalable ServiceNow applications.
What Happens If You Don’t Pass the Exam?
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam after completing the required waiting period defined in the ServiceNow Credentialing Program Guide. Each retake requires payment of the exam fee. Reviewing your performance by domain can help focus your next round of study for improved results.
How Long Is the Certification Valid?
After passing, your ServiceNow Certified Application Developer certification remains valid as long as you complete annual maintenance exams (delta exams) and pay the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) fee. Keeping your certification current ensures your credentials reflect the latest platform updates and capabilities.
Where Can You Take the ServiceNow CAD Exam?
You can choose between two convenient options:
- Online Proctored (OnVUE) – Take the exam from home or office with a webcam and stable internet connection.
- In-Person Pearson VUE Testing Centers – Sit for the exam at an authorized testing location nearby.
Both methods follow strict proctoring and identity verification standards to ensure exam integrity.
What Are the Steps to Register for the Exam?
To register:
- Visit the official ServiceNow learning portal.
- Purchase and register for the exam through your Now Learning account.
- Schedule your exam at a Pearson test center or select an online proctored session.
- Complete payment to secure your seat before the 90-day scheduling window closes.
Once registered, ServiceNow provides all instructions for scheduling and preparing your test appointment.
How Are Exam Results Delivered?
After submitting the exam, you’ll immediately receive a conditional pass or fail notification, followed by a detailed performance report that breaks down your results across exam domains. The final result is verified by ServiceNow, and your official certification status is issued shortly thereafter.
What Does “Conditional Pass” Mean in the Exam Results?
A conditional pass means that while you’ve initially met the passing criteria, your results are still subject to audit. ServiceNow may review the results to ensure compliance with their Test Security Policies, and certifications found in violation of these policies can be revoked after investigation.
What Resources Help You Stay Certified and Advance Further?
To keep your certification active, maintain continuing education through:
- Delta exams for platform updates
- ServiceNow Developer website – for sandbox practice and release documentation
- Community forums and study groups – to exchange ideas and coding patterns with peers
Graduates often continue their certification journey by pursuing ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist credentials or focusing on specialized modules like ITSM, HRSD, or ITOM.
How Long Should You Study Before Scheduling the Exam?
Most candidates spend 4 to 6 weeks preparing for the CAD certification, depending on their familiarity with ServiceNow. Combining the official courses with regular practice in a personal developer instance ensures strong conceptual and practical mastery before test day.
Is the ServiceNow CAD Certification Worth It?
Absolutely. This credential validates your expertise in one of the fastest-growing IT platforms worldwide. It signals to employers that you can not only develop applications but also innovate processes that improve business productivity. The return on investment comes from the blend of credibility, salary growth, and professional confidence it brings.
What’s the Next Step After Earning the ServiceNow CAD Certification?
Many professionals choose to specialize in ServiceNow products after achieving this certification. Consider advancing to credentials such as:
- ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist – ITSM
- ServiceNow Certified System Administrator
- ServiceNow Certified Technical Architect
Each next step builds on your application development foundation and strengthens your position as an expert ServiceNow professional.
Where Is the Official Home for ServiceNow CAD Certification Details?
For the most accurate and up-to-date information about exam policies, study paths, and registration, visit the official ServiceNow Certified Application Developer (CAD) certification page on ServiceNow’s learning portal.
With the ServiceNow Certified Application Developer certification, you become part of a growing global community of professionals driving digital transformation through intelligent application design. Your journey to becoming a ServiceNow expert starts with curiosity and continues with certification success—empowering you to innovate and build with confidence.
