CNPE - Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineer¶
The Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineer (CNPE) certification validates intermediate-level, hands-on skills in platform engineering. This is a performance-based exam covering GitOps, CI/CD, platform APIs, self-service capabilities, observability, and security in a live environment.
Exam Details¶
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | Performance-based (hands-on) |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Questions | ~20 tasks |
| Passing Score | 64% |
| Cost | $445 |
| Validity | 2 years |
| Prerequisites | None (CNPA-level knowledge recommended) |
| Delivery | Online proctored (PSI Secure Browser) |
| Environment | Linux-based remote desktop with terminal and web interfaces |
Performance-based Exam
The CNPE exam is hands-on (similar to CKA/CKAD). You will work in a live environment with real clusters and platform tooling. No multiple-choice questions.
Domain Breakdown¶
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Platform Architecture and Infrastructure | 15% |
| GitOps and Continuous Delivery | 25% |
| Platform APIs and Self-Service Capabilities | 25% |
| Observability and Operations | 20% |
| Security and Policy Enforcement | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
pie title CNPE Exam Domain Weights
"Platform Architecture & Infrastructure" : 15
"GitOps and Continuous Delivery" : 25
"Platform APIs & Self-Service" : 25
"Observability and Operations" : 20
"Security and Policy Enforcement" : 15Exam Tip
GitOps and Continuous Delivery (25%) and Platform APIs and Self-Service (25%) together account for 50% of the exam. Master GitOps workflows, CI/CD pipelines, progressive delivery strategies, CRDs, operators, and self-service provisioning.
Key Resources¶
Official Resources¶
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| CNPE Curriculum (PDF) | Official exam curriculum maintained by CNCF |
| CNPE Certification Page | Registration, handbook, and exam policies |
| killer.sh | Official exam simulator (included with purchase) |
| CNCF Platforms White Paper | CNCF guidance on platform engineering |
Courses¶
| Course | Platform |
|---|---|
| Platform Engineering on Kubernetes | Manning |
| GitOps and Progressive Delivery | Codefresh / Akuity |
Community Resources¶
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| CNCF Blog — CNPE Launch | CNPE announcement |
| Platform Engineering Community | Community hub for platform engineering |