Exam Overview

The 300-635 DCNAUTO exam is a concentration examination in the CCNP Data Center and CCNP Automation certification path. Passing it earns the Cisco Certified Automation Specialist - Data Center Automation and Programmability certification and satisfies an applicable concentration exam requirement.

• Exam Code: 300-635 DCNAUTO v2.0
• Level: Professional-level concentration and Specialist certification exam
• Duration: 90 minutes. Available language(s): English and Japanese.
• Passing Score: Not officially disclosed by Cisco (commonly estimated at ~825 out of 1000).
• Grading and Results: Cisco uses pass/fail grading and states that results are available online within 48 hours.

Exam Structure

The 300-635 DCNAUTO exam follows five weighted domains covering network automation foundations, infrastructure as code, network element programmability, operations, and AI in automation.

• Question Types: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.
• Number of Questions: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.
• Hands-On Questions: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.

Exam Policies

Before completing DCNAUTO exam registration, review Cisco's certification policies, Pearson VUE admission and identification rules, the Cisco candidate agreement, and the appointment terms displayed for the selected delivery method.

• Rescheduling: Online Proctored exams can be rescheduled up to 30 minutes before check-in. Test Center exams can be rescheduled up to 48 hours before the scheduled appointment.
• Cancellation: Online Proctored exams can be cancelled up to 30 minutes before check-in. Test Center exams can be cancelled up to 48 hours before the scheduled appointment.
• Retake Policy: After failing a Professional- or Specialist-level written exam, candidates must wait five calendar days, beginning the day after the unsuccessful attempt, before retaking the same exam.
• Retake Fee: Cisco states that candidates may retake an exam for the same cost unless an eligible safeguard, voucher, or promotion provides different terms. The full DCNAUTO exam fee therefore normally applies to another attempt.

Certification Validity and Renewal Options

Passing the 300-635 DCNAUTO exam earns the Cisco Certified Automation Specialist - Data Center Automation and Programmability certification and begins Cisco's standard active certification cycle.

• Validity: Cisco states that most certifications, including Specialist credentials, remain active for three years from the date earned.
• Renewal Options: Renew the Specialist credential by earning 40 Continuing Education credits or by completing an eligible Cisco certification exam pathway under Cisco's current recertification policy.

Exam Fee

• Base Fee: The official DCNAUTO exam fee is USD 300, excluding applicable taxes. Candidates may also redeem eligible Cisco Learning Credits during scheduling.
• Taxes: Local taxes, currency conversion, and regional checkout rules may affect the final DCNAUTO certification cost. The payable amount is shown during registration.
• Example (India): Candidates in India are subject to 18% GST, bringing the total exam fee to USD 354 (USD 300 + USD 54 GST).

Prerequisites

Cisco publishes no formal prerequisite for the 300-635 DCNAUTO exam. To earn CCNP Data Center, candidates must pass the 350-601 DCCOR core exam and one eligible concentration exam.

• Candidates should understand Python, data formats, YANG models, APIs, Git workflows, Ansible, Terraform, Cisco NX-OS, Nexus Dashboard, Cisco ACI in network-centric mode, Linux networking, model-driven telemetry, testing, and automation troubleshooting.
• Preparation should combine the official DCNAUTO syllabus with practical experience implementing, designing, automating, or troubleshooting the technologies represented in the current blueprint.
• Cisco's official learning resources are recommended preparation for the 300-635 DCNAUTO exam, but completing a specific course is not an exam prerequisite.

Exam Topics

The official DCNAUTO syllabus v2.0 covers the following weighted domains:

• Network Automation Foundation - 15%: OpenConfig, IETF and native YANG models, ACI network-centric objects, DPUs, NETCONF, gNMI, gRPC, gNOI, YANG Suite, pyang, and constructing model-driven payloads.
• Infrastructure as Code - 25%: IaC and GitOps, Jinja2 templates, Ansible playbooks and collections, Terraform plans and providers, and troubleshooting automated configuration workflows.
• Network Element Programmability - 25%: Python with ncclient, POAP day-zero provisioning, NX-OS Bash and Python, Nexus Dashboard templates and policies, and NX-API capabilities.
• Operations - 25%: Topology simulation, pyATS change validation, model-driven telemetry architecture and subscriptions, sources of truth, Python-based health retrieval, and Linux container-network packet-flow troubleshooting.
• AI in Automation - 10%: AI-assisted code development, security risks in AI-based automation, and integration of network devices, controllers, and management platforms with AI agents.
• Blueprint Scope: Cisco identifies the published objectives as general guidelines; related data center automation and programmability topics may appear on a specific exam delivery.

Intended Audience

The 300-635 DCNAUTO exam is designed for professionals who design, implement, automate, operate, or support modern data center infrastructure, including:

• Data Center Automation Engineers
• Network Programmability Engineers
• DevNet and Automation Professionals
• Site Reliability Engineers
• Cisco Nexus Administrators
• Infrastructure as Code Engineers
• CCNP Data Center and Automation Candidates

Career Opportunities

Passing the 300-635 DCNAUTO exam supports specialist roles aligned with the knowledge and practical skills in the current blueprint, including:

• Data Center Automation Engineer
• Network Automation Engineer
• Infrastructure as Code Engineer
• Site Reliability Engineer
• Network Programmability Consultant
• Data Center DevOps Engineer

Average Salary (Approximate)

Cisco does not publish salary data for DCNAUTO credential holders. The ranges below use current employment-market estimates for Data Center Engineers or closely related network roles. Salaries vary by experience, employer, location, job role, and industry.

• U.S.: Approximately USD 79,202-227,870 per year for Data Center Engineers (Indeed, July 2026).
• India: Approximately INR 351,250-768,750 per year for Data Center Engineers (Glassdoor, June 2026).
• United Kingdom: Approximately GBP 27,881-47,434 per year for Data Centre Engineers (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• UAE: Approximately AED 60,000-252,000 per year in total pay for Network Engineers in Dubai, based on the published monthly range (Glassdoor, July 2026).

Exam Delivery Options

During DCNAUTO exam registration, candidates can review the delivery methods available for the 300-635 appointment and their location.

• Pearson VUE Test Center - Take the exam in a proctored environment at an authorized Pearson VUE test center, subject to local availability.
• Online Proctored Exam (OnVUE) - Cisco written certification exams, including 300-635, can be taken online, subject to country availability, system requirements, and the appointment options shown during scheduling.
• Online Exam Rules: Run the required system test, use an approved computer with webcam and microphone, present acceptable identification, maintain a clear private workspace, and remain under live-proctor supervision.
• Test Center Rules: Arrive according to the appointment instructions, bring the required identification, store prohibited items, accept Cisco's candidate agreement, and follow all check-in and proctor directions.

Exam Registration

Follow these steps to complete DCNAUTO exam registration:

• Open Cisco's official exam scheduling portal and sign in with the Cisco account linked to the certification profile.
• Select the 300-635 DCNAUTO exam and choose an available Pearson VUE test center or OnVUE online-proctored appointment, where offered.
• Confirm the exam language, date, time, delivery method, identification requirements, and the rescheduling and cancellation terms shown with the booking.
• Pay the DCNAUTO exam fee, apply an eligible voucher, or redeem Cisco Learning Credits, then save the appointment confirmation.

After Passing the Exam

After passing the 300-635 DCNAUTO exam, review the pass/fail result and certification record in Cisco CertMetrics.

• Passing earns the Cisco Certified Automation Specialist - Data Center Automation and Programmability certification and satisfies an applicable concentration requirement.
• Use Cisco CertMetrics to access exam history, score reports, certificates, transcripts, certification logos, and the credential's expiration information.
• To earn CCNP Data Center, also pass the current 350-601 DCCOR core exam within Cisco's applicable written-exam validity window.

Why the 300-635 DCNAUTO Exam Is Worth It

• Earns the Cisco Certified Automation Specialist - Data Center Automation and Programmability certification
• Satisfies an applicable concentration requirement
• Validates current Cisco data center expertise
• Demonstrates focused knowledge aligned with the official DCNAUTO syllabus