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Key Facts: PCNSA Exam
~75-80%
Estimated Pass Rate
Industry estimate
~700/800
Passing Score
Scaled (~70%)
60-80 hrs
Study Time
Recommended
$75-110K
Salary Range
Industry data
$155
Exam Fee
Palo Alto Networks
2 years
Cert Valid
Recertification required
The Palo Alto Networks PCNSA certification requires approximately 70% to pass (scaled 700/800). The exam has 50-60 questions in 80 minutes. Domain 4 (Securing Traffic, 30%) and Domain 3 (Policy Evaluation and Management, 28%) together comprise 58% of the exam content. PCNSA holders typically earn $75,000-110,000 in network security roles.
About the PCNSA Exam
The Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) validates the knowledge and skills required for network security administrators responsible for deploying and operating Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewalls (NGFW). The exam covers four domains: Device Management and Services (22%), Managing Objects (20%), Policy Evaluation and Management (28%), and Securing Traffic (30%). PCNSA demonstrates competency in PAN-OS, security policies, NAT, VPN, and threat prevention.
Questions
50 scored questions
Time Limit
80 minutes
Passing Score
~70% (scaled 200-800, passing ~700)
Exam Fee
$155 (Palo Alto Networks / Pearson VUE)
PCNSA Exam Content Outline
Device Management and Services
PAN-OS architecture, zones, interfaces, virtual routers, routing protocols, HA, Panorama, licensing, software/content updates, logging
Managing Objects
Address objects, address groups, service objects, application objects, user identification, tags, custom URL categories, schedules
Policy Evaluation and Management
Security policies, NAT policies, App-ID, Content-ID, User-ID, decryption policies, security profiles, DoS protection, PBF
Securing Traffic
Security policy rules, NAT types (source, destination, static), GlobalProtect VPN, SSL decryption, zone protection, App-based policies
How to Pass the PCNSA Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: ~70% (scaled 200-800, passing ~700)
- Exam length: 50 questions
- Time limit: 80 minutes
- Exam fee: $155
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
PCNSA Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PCNSA passing score?
The PCNSA exam requires approximately 70% to pass, reported on a scaled score of 200-800 where 700 is the passing threshold. The exam has 50-60 questions to be completed in 80 minutes. Palo Alto Networks does not publish exact passing scores or the number of questions per exam form. All questions are weighted equally, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers.
How hard is the PCNSA exam?
PCNSA is considered an entry-level to intermediate certification with an estimated 75-80% pass rate for candidates with 6+ months of hands-on Palo Alto Networks NGFW experience. The exam is scenario-based and requires practical knowledge of PAN-OS configuration. Candidates without hands-on experience should expect a steeper learning curve and may need additional lab time with Palo Alto Networks firewalls.
What topics are covered in the PCNSA exam?
The PCNSA exam covers four domains: Device Management and Services (22%) including PAN-OS, zones, interfaces, virtual routers, HA, and licensing; Managing Objects (20%) including addresses, services, applications, User-ID, and tags; Policy Evaluation and Management (28%) including security policies, App-ID, Content-ID, security profiles, and decryption; and Securing Traffic (30%) including NAT, GlobalProtect VPN, SSL decryption, and zone protection. Domains 3 and 4 together make up 58% of the exam.
How long should I study for PCNSA?
Plan for 60-80 hours of study over 4-6 weeks if you have networking/security experience. Without NGFW experience, plan for 100+ hours including hands-on lab practice. Key study activities: 1) Complete Palo Alto Networks EDU-210 or EDU-110 training; 2) Get hands-on practice with PAN-OS in a lab or with Palo Alto Networks Cyber Range; 3) Master App-ID, Content-ID, and User-ID technologies; 4) Practice security policy creation and NAT configuration; 5) Complete 200+ practice questions and score 80%+ consistently.
What is the difference between PCNSA and PCNSE?
PCNSA (Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator) is the entry-level certification focusing on day-to-day firewall administration tasks. PCNSE (Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer) is the advanced professional certification requiring deeper knowledge of complex deployments, troubleshooting, and enterprise architecture. PCNSE covers advanced routing, large-scale deployments, Panorama management, and complex security scenarios. PCNSA is recommended before attempting PCNSE.
What jobs can I get with PCNSA certification?
PCNSA qualifies you for roles including: Network Security Administrator ($65,000-90,000), Firewall Administrator ($70,000-95,000), Junior Security Engineer ($75,000-100,000), SOC Analyst ($60,000-85,000), and Network Administrator with security focus ($70,000-95,000). PCNSA is particularly valuable in organizations using Palo Alto Networks firewalls and is often listed as a preferred qualification in cybersecurity job postings. The certification is valid for 2 years.