Cisco DevNet: Certifications for Network Developers
If you work in networking and want to stay ahead of how modern networks are built and managed, Cisco DevNet certifications give you a clear path into network automation, programmability, and software-defined infrastructure.
Networking is no longer just about configuring routers and switches by hand. Organizations are automating network provisioning, managing infrastructure through APIs, and deploying applications across software-defined environments. Network engineers who understand how to write code, work with APIs, and automate repetitive tasks are in higher demand than those who rely on manual configuration alone.
Cisco DevNet is the certification program designed to address that shift. This post breaks down what the DevNet certifications cover, who they are for, and how to decide whether one belongs on your certification path.
What Is Cisco DevNet?
DevNet is Cisco’s developer and network automation platform. It includes a sandbox environment, learning resources, and the official DevNet certification track. The certification track tests your ability to work with APIs, automate network tasks with Python, and deploy applications in cloud and on-premises environments.
DevNet certifications sit alongside Cisco’s traditional networking track — CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE — but focus specifically on the intersection of software development and network operations. The exams are designed for people who understand networking and want to add programming and automation skills, or developers who want to work in network environments.
According to Cisco’s official DevNet certification page, the program spans associate, professional, and specialist levels. Each level builds on the last.
The Three Levels of DevNet Certification
The DevNet certification track has a clear progression.
Cisco Certified DevNet Associate (DEVASC 200-901) is the entry point for the track. It covers software development and design fundamentals, APIs and REST, infrastructure and automation, Cisco platforms, and application security. You do not need a deep programming background to pass, but you need enough Python to write basic scripts and work with APIs. This exam is a good starting point for network engineers who are new to coding.
Cisco Certified DevNet Professional builds on the Associate level. The core exam — Developing Applications and Automating Workflows (DEVCOR 350-901) — tests deeper programming skills, software design patterns, network automation, and infrastructure as code. You then add a concentration exam in one of several focus areas: enterprise infrastructure, data center, DevOps, IoT, and others. This level is for engineers who are actively working with automation and want a recognized professional credential.
Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist credentials are available for specific technical areas without requiring the full professional track. These include Cisco DevNet Specialist for Enterprise Automation, IoT, and DevOps. They are useful if you want to validate skills in a specific area without committing to the full professional path.
There is also a Cisco Certified DevNet Expert at the top of the track — the equivalent of CCIE but for automation and programmability. It requires significant hands-on experience and is intended for senior architects and engineers at the highest technical level.
What Skills DevNet Tests
DevNet certifications assess a specific combination of skills that traditional networking exams do not cover.
You will be tested on Python scripting — reading, writing, and debugging scripts that interact with network devices and APIs. REST APIs, JSON, XML, and YANG data models are core to the exam content. You will need to understand how to call Cisco APIs, interpret responses, and use tools like Postman or the Python requests library.
Infrastructure as code is a significant focus at the professional level. Ansible and Terraform appear in the exam content. Git and version control basics are also covered, reflecting how modern network operations teams work.
Cisco platform APIs — including Meraki, Webex, SD-WAN, and DNA Center — show up throughout the track. If you already work with Cisco infrastructure, that context makes the API material more accessible.
The NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture provides useful context for how cloud infrastructure layers interact — useful background when studying DevNet’s cloud-focused exam objectives.
Who Should Pursue DevNet Certifications
DevNet certifications are well suited for experienced networking professionals who want to move into network automation, NetDevOps, or infrastructure engineering roles where coding is expected.
If you hold CCNA or CCNP and find yourself spending time on repetitive configuration tasks, DevNet Associate is a logical next step. It teaches you how to automate those tasks and gives you a credential that signals readiness for more senior automation-focused roles.
If your organization is moving toward SD-WAN, Cisco DNA Center, or cloud networking, DevNet certifications give you the skills to work effectively in those environments. Engineers who understand both the network layer and the automation layer are increasingly valuable in teams going through infrastructure modernization.
Software developers who work on applications that integrate with network infrastructure also benefit from DevNet training. The certifications give developers the context to communicate effectively with network teams and work directly with Cisco APIs.
DevNet vs Traditional Cisco Certifications
The traditional Cisco track — CCNA, CCNP, CCIE — focuses on network design, configuration, and troubleshooting. DevNet focuses on programmability and automation. These tracks are not mutually exclusive. Many engineers hold both.
A CCNP Enterprise engineer who earns DevNet Professional is in a strong position for senior roles in organizations that are automating their network operations. The combination signals both deep networking knowledge and the ability to build and manage automation tools.
If you are early in your career, start with CCNA to build the networking foundation, then add DevNet Associate once you are working in a networking role and want to expand your skill set. Jumping into DevNet without networking fundamentals makes the exam content harder to apply in practice.
You can explore Cisco certification training at Ultimate IT Courses, including options for both the traditional and DevNet tracks. For broader networking certification paths, the networking training page covers the range of options available.
How to Prepare for the DevNet Associate Exam
Preparing for DEVASC 200-901 takes focused effort. The exam covers a wide range of topics — networking concepts, software fundamentals, Cisco platforms, APIs, and security basics. A study approach that isolates topics and builds them up systematically works better than trying to read through all the material at once.
Spend time in the Cisco DevNet sandbox environment. It gives you free access to Cisco infrastructure to run API calls, test scripts, and practice with real tools. Hands-on practice accelerates understanding in a way that reading alone does not.
Build Python scripting skills in parallel with your exam preparation. You do not need to become a full software developer, but you do need to write and read Python well enough to work through the coding tasks on the exam. Focus on functions, loops, working with JSON responses, and making HTTP requests using the requests library.
Instructor-led training gives you structured coverage of the exam domains and the opportunity to work through scenarios with guidance. It also helps you identify gaps in your knowledge earlier, so you are not discovering weaknesses days before your exam date.
Is DevNet Certification Worth It in 2026?
Network automation skills are increasingly expected in IT organizations of any size. The tools have matured. Ansible, Terraform, and Cisco’s platform APIs are widely used in production environments. Engineers who cannot work with these tools are at a disadvantage when competing for senior roles or when their organization decides to modernize its network operations.
DevNet certification is one of the clearest ways to validate those skills in a recognized format. Cisco’s brand carries weight with hiring managers, and the DevNet track signals that you understand both the network layer and the automation layer — a combination that remains uncommon and in demand.
For experienced network engineers looking at their next step, DevNet Associate is a practical and achievable goal. DevNet Professional is a strong credential for those targeting senior or architect-level roles in automation-heavy environments.
If you are ready to explore advanced Cisco certification programs, get in touch to discuss the right path for your experience and goals.
