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Palo Alto Networks · Networking · Professional

Palo Alto Networks Certified SD-WAN Engineer exam guide

Exam SD-WAN Engineer (Specialist)

The SD-WAN Engineer certification validates planning, deploying, operating and troubleshooting Prisma SD-WAN, including its role in Unified SASE alongside Prisma Access. It suits network engineers modernising branch WANs.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limitSee official page
Passing score860 (300-1000 scale)
Exam fee$250 USD
Valid for2 years
DeliveryPearson VUE test center; online proctoring (OnVUE) where offered

Format: Multiple choice, matching and ordering items.

Who it's for

Network engineers with engineering-level Prisma SD-WAN knowledge and solid routing, TCP/IP and SASE fundamentals.

What the exam covers

Planning and Design24%
Deployment and Configuration24%
Troubleshooting20%
Operations and Monitoring18%
Unified SASE14%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None.

Recommended: Working knowledge of network security, TCP/IP and routing protocols, SASE and Zero Trust concepts, plus hands-on Prisma SD-WAN engineering.

Keeping it active

Valid 2 years from passing. Renew by retaking the current exam before expiry; passing a higher-level certification in the same track also extends active lower-level certifications by 2 years.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Prisma SD-WAN ION device deployment
  • Path policies and application-defined routing
  • BGP and OSPF integration at branches and data centers
  • Unified SASE integration with Prisma Access
  • Monitoring and analytics
  • Troubleshooting WAN paths

Job roles

SD-WAN EngineerNetwork EngineerSASE EngineerWAN ArchitectNetwork Operations Engineer

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: Planning and design: topology options, data center and branch designs, HA, licensing.
  2. Week 2: Deployment and configuration: ION claim and onboarding, interfaces, routing, path and QoS policies.
  3. Week 3: Operations, monitoring and troubleshooting: dashboards, flow browser, path health, common faults.
  4. Week 4: Unified SASE: Prisma Access integration; datasheet review and practice questions.

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

  • Planning/Design and Deployment are 48% combined; know design rules for hub and branch sites.
  • Understand how application-defined path selection uses measured link performance.
  • Unified SASE questions focus on how SD-WAN connects to Prisma Access.
  • Know BGP behaviour at data center sites for route advertisement to branches.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the SD-WAN Engineer exam cost?

$250 plus applicable taxes; vouchers are sold through the Pearson VUE voucher store.

What score do I need to pass?

Palo Alto Networks sets the converted passing score at 860 on a 300-1000 scale.

How long is the certification valid?

Two years. Retake the exam before it expires, or earn a higher-level certification in the same track to extend it.

Do I need Prisma Access knowledge?

Some. The Unified SASE domain (14%) covers SD-WAN integration with Prisma Access.

Is SD-WAN Engineer worth it?

Yes if your organisation runs or is moving to Prisma SD-WAN; it is product-specific rather than vendor-neutral.

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