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ServiceNow · Business Platforms · Associate

ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) exam guide

Exam ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA)

The Certified System Administrator (CSA) proves you can configure and maintain a ServiceNow instance: navigation, lists and forms, users and groups, access controls, the CMDB, Service Catalog, Flow Designer, notifications, reporting and update sets. It is the foundation credential for every ServiceNow career path and the prerequisite for the CIS implementation exams.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limitSee official page
Passing scoreSee official page
Exam feeSee official page
Valid forSee official page
DeliveryProctored exam booked through ServiceNow University (online proctored or test center)

Format: Multiple choice and multiple select, proctored. Fee note: ServiceNow sets voucher pricing in ServiceNow University; check there before booking (a retake costs less than a first attempt).

Who it's for

New ServiceNow administrators, ITSM process owners and IT support staff who manage day-to-day instance configuration.

What the exam covers

The vendor does not publish a domain breakdown for this exam. Check the official exam page for the current objectives.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: Completion of the ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals training required by ServiceNow University before you can book the exam.

Recommended: Around six months of hands-on ServiceNow administration is commonly recommended, using a free Personal Developer Instance (PDI) for practice.

Keeping it active

ServiceNow mainline certifications must be kept current with the platform: complete the maintenance (delta) requirement ServiceNow publishes for new platform releases within its window, or the credential lapses. Check the current maintenance rules in ServiceNow University.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Configuring lists, forms, UI policies and data policies
  • Managing users, groups and roles
  • Creating access control (ACL) rules
  • Building Service Catalog items and variables
  • Automating with Flow Designer
  • Configuring notifications and reports/dashboards
  • Moving configuration with update sets
  • Importing data with import sets and transform maps

Job roles

ServiceNow AdministratorServiceNow Platform AnalystITSM AnalystServiceNow Business AnalystIT Service Desk LeadJunior ServiceNow Developer

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: Request a free Personal Developer Instance (PDI) and complete the ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals course on ServiceNow University.
  2. Week 2: Instance UI and configuration: lists, forms, form layouts, UI policies vs data policies, and application/module menus.
  3. Week 3: Security and data: users/groups/roles, ACL evaluation order, import sets, transform maps, coalesce and the CMDB basics.
  4. Week 4: Self-service and automation: Service Catalog items, record producers, variables, Flow Designer, notifications and Knowledge.
  5. Week 5: Reporting, update sets and upgrade/clone concepts; take the official ServiceNow practice test and timed reviews.

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 the difference between UI policies (client-side) and data policies (server and import enforcement).
  • Be able to work through ACL evaluation: table-level then field-level, and that all matching conditions must pass.
  • Know what update sets capture and what they do not (data such as users and groups is not captured by default).
  • Understand coalesce in transform maps and what happens when no coalesce field matches.
  • Expect questions on Service Catalog variables vs variable sets and record producers vs catalog items.

Key terms for this exam

All 98 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does the CSA exam cost?

ServiceNow sets exam voucher pricing in ServiceNow University and it can differ by region and by whether you hold a subscription or partner/customer entitlement; check the current price there before booking. Retakes cost less than a first attempt.

How do I keep CSA active?

Keep it current with each ServiceNow family release by completing the maintenance (delta) requirement ServiceNow publishes within its window; otherwise the certification lapses.

Is the CSA exam hard?

It is approachable with hands-on PDI practice. Candidates who only read slides struggle with ACL, import set and update set scenarios.

What is the prerequisite?

You must complete the required ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals training in ServiceNow University before booking.

What should I take after CSA?

Developers go to Certified Application Developer (CAD); process specialists go to a CIS exam such as CIS-ITSM.

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