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ServiceNow Certified System Administrator CSA Quick Facts
The ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) exam opens the door to mastering the fundamentals of managing and optimizing the ServiceNow platform. This overview provides the clarity and focus you need to navigate the certification process with confidence and precision.
What Makes the ServiceNow CSA Certification Worth Pursuing?
The ServiceNow CSA certification confirms your ability to configure, manage, and maintain the ServiceNow platform to support business needs. It is designed for individuals who want to build foundational expertise in platform administration, configuration, and automation to deliver meaningful digital workflows. From understanding navigation and configuring applications to managing data, users, and integrations, this certification sets the stage for advanced roles within the ServiceNow ecosystem.
Who Should Pursue the ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) Certification?
The ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) certification is ideal for professionals who want to master the fundamentals of ServiceNow administration. It’s a strong fit if you’re a system administrator, support engineer, IT professional, or workflow designer looking to validate your platform configuration and maintenance skills.
This certification is also excellent for career changers and newcomers to IT service management who want to gain hands-on experience with one of the most widely used enterprise platforms worldwide. Even business analysts or project managers working with ServiceNow teams can benefit significantly from earning the CSA credential.
By earning your CSA certification, you’ll demonstrate your ability to configure applications, manage data, and automate processes across ServiceNow’s ecosystem.
What Kind of Career Opportunities Does the ServiceNow CSA Certification Open Up?
ServiceNow skills are in high demand globally, and certified professionals often advance into roles such as:
- ServiceNow Administrator
- ServiceNow Analyst
- ITSM or IT Operations Specialist
- ServiceNow Developer (with further learning)
- Technical Consultant or Implementation Specialist
This certification also serves as a launchpad for more advanced ServiceNow certifications, including those for developers and implementers. Organizations across industries rely on certified administrators to streamline workflows, automate services, and enhance operational efficiency.
What Is the Current ServiceNow CSA Exam Code?
The current exam code for this certification is CSA. This code corresponds specifically to the Certified System Administrator exam covering the latest ServiceNow platform features and capabilities. When registering or purchasing study materials, always make sure they refer to exam code CSA to ensure you’re preparing for the right version.
How Much Does the ServiceNow Certified System Administrator Exam Cost?
The exam fee is $300 USD, payable at the time of registration. Both credit card payments and learning credits are accepted via the ServiceNow Learning Portal. Depending on your employer or partnership status with ServiceNow, you may also qualify for discounted pricing or a free exam voucher when completing approved instructor-led courses.
How Many Questions Are on the CSA Certification Exam?
The exam consists of 60 questions designed to assess your understanding of ServiceNow fundamentals. You’ll encounter a variety of multiple-choice and multiple-select questions, presenting real-world administrative and configuration scenarios. Each question is worth a single point, and your knowledge is assessed across defined domains that reflect the daily responsibilities of a system administrator.
How Long Do You Have to Complete the ServiceNow CSA Exam?
You have a total of 90 minutes to complete the test. This timeframe allows you to read each question carefully and apply situational knowledge effectively. The exam is proctored and can be taken either online with Pearson OnVUE or in person at a Pearson testing center.
Time management is essential, but most candidates find that with practice and familiarity with the ServiceNow interface, the allotted time is ample to complete all questions confidently.
What Is the Passing Score for the ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) Exam?
While ServiceNow does not disclose the exact cut score, you should aim to correctly answer approximately 70% of questions to pass. Scoring is based on a predetermined standard set by ServiceNow’s certification team.
Once you finish, you’ll receive an immediate conditional pass or fail message, followed by a detailed domain performance report. Successful candidates earn an official Credly digital badge to showcase on LinkedIn and other professional platforms.
What Languages Is the CSA Exam Offered In?
The ServiceNow CSA exam is currently available in English and Japanese. Additional language options may expand in the future as global demand grows. If English is not your first language, ServiceNow also offers reasonable accommodations for ESL test-takers to make the experience more comfortable and inclusive.
What Topics Does the CSA Exam Cover?
The exam covers six high-level domains, each focusing on key areas of administration and configuration:
- Platform Overview and Navigation
- Instance Configuration
- Configuring Applications for Collaboration
- Self Service and Automation
- Database Management and Platform Security
- Data Migration and Integration
Are There Any Prerequisites Before Taking the CSA Exam?
There are no strict prerequisites, but ServiceNow recommends completing the following courses before attempting the CSA exam:
- Welcome to ServiceNow
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals
It’s also helpful to have three to six months of hands-on experience using or maintaining a ServiceNow instance and a solid grasp of IT Help Desk and ITSM concepts.
What Experience Level Is Ideal for the CSA Certification?
This certification is built for administrators at the beginner to intermediate level. Even if you are new to ServiceNow, the structured training and guided learning materials make it approachable.
Ideal candidates are already familiar with database concepts, general system administration, and core IT processes like incident, change, and problem management.
How Is the ServiceNow CSA Exam Structured?
The exam is structured as a proctored, multiple-choice test. It includes both single-answer and multi-select questions. Each question earns one point.
ServiceNow’s approach ensures fairness and consistency, evaluating both your practical understanding and your conceptual knowledge of the platform. The mix of question types helps assess how well you can apply what you know in real-life administrative scenarios.
How Do You Register and Schedule the ServiceNow CSA Exam?
You can register for and schedule your exam through the ServiceNow Learning Portal. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Register for the exam (registration includes payment).
- Schedule your exam within 90 days of registering.
- Select your test delivery method (online proctoring or test center).
- Complete your exam on the scheduled date.
If you miss your 90-day window, you’ll need to re-register and pay the full exam fee again, so plan your timeline accordingly.
What Happens After You Pass the CSA Exam?
Upon passing, you’ll receive your ServiceNow Certified System Administrator certification and a Credly digital badge to showcase your achievement.
Your certification remains active as long as you complete the annual maintenance exams (delta exams) and maintain your Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) requirements. Keeping your certification current demonstrates your commitment to staying updated with ServiceNow’s evolution.
How Long Is the ServiceNow CSA Certification Valid?
Unlike many entry-level credentials, the CSA certification requires ongoing maintenance rather than periodic renewal. You’ll complete short online delta exams whenever ServiceNow releases new platform versions, ensuring your knowledge remains aligned with current features and functionality.
What Study Resources Can Help You Prepare?
ServiceNow provides excellent official learning resources, including guided training, sample questions, and documentation. Many learners also enhance their prep through additional study tools like practice exams that simulate the real test experience.
Taking realistic tests through resources such as ServiceNow CSA practice exams can help reinforce your understanding, improve pacing, and increase your confidence for exam day.
How Difficult Is the ServiceNow Certified System Administrator Exam?
The CSA exam is designed to validate knowledge rather than test trick questions. With consistent study and hands-on learning, most candidates perform very well.
Success typically comes from understanding how different ServiceNow features integrate, not just memorizing menu options. Applying your coursework through a personal developer instance (PDI) or company sandbox can make a huge difference in your comfort with exam questions.
What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing?
Learners sometimes rush their preparation or rely solely on third-party material that may not align with ServiceNow’s standards. To perform your best:
- Rely on official documentation and recommended courses.
- Practice configuration and automation tasks inside a real instance.
- Review the exam blueprint to understand domain weightings and topic coverage.
Stay consistent and focused on skill application rather than rote memorization.
Can You Retake the CSA Exam If You Don’t Pass the First Time?
Yes. If you do not pass on your initial attempt, you can retake the exam after observing the waiting period and paying the exam fee again. ServiceNow encourages reviewing your exam performance report and revisiting recommended learning materials before scheduling your next attempt.
How Can You Maintain Momentum After Earning the CSA Certification?
After earning your CSA, many professionals continue their journey by pursuing specialist or advanced certifications such as:
- ServiceNow Certified Application Developer (CAD)
- ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist (CIS) – across ITSM, HR, or Security Operations tracks
These advanced credentials build on your foundation and prepare you to design, develop, or implement solutions at enterprise scale.
Where Can You Learn More or Register for the Official Exam?
For the most trusted and up-to-date information, visit the official ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) certification page. There, you can register for your exam, find preparation paths, and explore the full ServiceNow certification journey.
Earning your CSA certification is a rewarding step toward becoming a certified ServiceNow professional—empowering you to build, automate, and innovate across one of the world’s leading digital workflow platforms.
