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NetApp · Data Center & Virtualization · Associate

NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA) exam guide

Exam NS0-163 (check for the current NS0-16x version)

The NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA) validates the ability to administer NetApp ONTAP storage, covering platforms, core ONTAP, protocols, networking, data protection, security and performance. It is the standard credential for storage administrators in NetApp environments.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limitSee official page
Passing scoreSee official page
Exam feeSee official page
Valid forSee official page
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or online proctored

Format: Multiple choice. Fee note: Confirm on NetApp CertMetrics/Pearson VUE.

Who it's for

Storage administrators with 6-12 months of ONTAP experience.

What the exam covers

Storage Platforms—
Core ONTAP—
ONTAP Storage—
Networking—
Storage Protocols and Connectivity—
Data Protection—
Security—
Performance—

A dash means the vendor does not publish a weight for that domain.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None. NetApp suggests considering the NetApp Hybrid Cloud Associate and Cloud Native Associate first.

Recommended: 6-12 months of ONTAP experience plus knowledge of SAN/NAS, networking, virtualization and host operating systems.

Keeping it active

Check NetApp's certification program for current validity rules.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • ONTAP cluster administration
  • Aggregates, volumes and SVMs
  • NFS, SMB, iSCSI and FC/NVMe
  • SnapMirror and SnapVault
  • Security and ransomware protection
  • Performance monitoring

Job roles

Storage AdministratorStorage EngineerInfrastructure EngineerBackup and Recovery EngineerSystems Administrator

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: ONTAP architecture via NetApp's learning path.
  2. Week 2: Lab on ONTAP simulator or NetApp Lab on Demand: SVMs, volumes, LIFs.
  3. Week 3: NAS and SAN protocols.
  4. Week 4: Data protection and security.
  5. Week 5: Performance and practice tests.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Know SVM, LIF and aggregate relationships.
  • Understand SnapMirror policy types.
  • Learn ONTAP CLI and System Manager.
  • Study ransomware protection features.

Key terms for this exam

All 19 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

What does NCDA cover?

ONTAP administration across eight domains from storage platforms to performance.

How much does it cost?

Confirm on NetApp's certification portal.

Prerequisites?

None; NetApp suggests its associate exams first.

Is NCDA worth it?

Yes for storage roles in NetApp shops.

What comes next?

NetApp implementation engineer specializations.

Official page: www.netapp.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.