NVIDIA’s AI Networking Professional exam (NCP-AIN) now costs 500 USD and includes hands-on lab exercises. On November 4, 2026 the exam page lists “Price : $500” and “Hands-on lab : Yes”. Through November 3, 2026 the same page still said $400 with no lab line, next to an October notice that labs would be added on November 1 and the price would rise to $500. That notice is now gone. The rest of the format is unchanged: 70 to 75 questions, a 2-hour time limit, pass/fail scoring and English only.
Who this affects
- Anyone registering from now on: the exam costs 500 USD, up 100 USD, and the sitting includes lab work as well as multiple-choice questions.
- Candidates who bought the exam at 400 USD but have not sat it yet: NVIDIA’s page does not say which format you get. Ask NVIDIA certification support through your Certiverse account before your appointment.
- Current NCP-AIN holders: nothing changes for your credential. It stays valid for two years, and renewal means retaking the exam, which from now on is the 500 USD lab version.
What to do now
- Budget for 500 USD, and for a retake at the same price. NVIDIA’s certification FAQ says a failed attempt means buying the exam again, with a 14-day wait, and no more than five attempts at one exam in 12 months.
- Plan your time. The time limit is still 2 hours, so the labs share that window with the 70 to 75 questions. NVIDIA has not published how many labs there are or what they cover. For comparison, the AI Operations Professional exam (NCP-AIO) runs 30 questions plus three labs in the same 120 minutes.
- Re-check the page before you book. The lab count and any domain changes may be published later.
Our October 25 report covered the original notice. The new price is now in our AI Certification Requirements Index and the AI certification cost guide.
Key dates
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 25, 2026 | NVIDIA’s exam page adds a notice: labs to be added on November 1, price to rise to $500 |
| November 1, 2026 | Announced change date; the page still showed $400 on our checks on November 1, 2 and 3 |
| November 4, 2026 | Exam page lists $500 and “Hands-on lab : Yes”; the notice is removed; the certification hub card also shows $500 |
Source
- NVIDIA AI Networking Professional certification exam page (price, labs, questions, duration, scoring, language, validity)
- NVIDIA certification hub (exam cards, retake and cancellation FAQ)
- NVIDIA AI Operations Professional exam page (the 30 questions plus labs comparison)
Checked against the NVIDIA AI Networking Professional exam page and the NVIDIA certification hub on November 5, 2026.
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Related guides
- NVIDIA AI Networking Exam Adds Labs, Goes to $500 Nov 1
- How Much Do AI Certifications Cost? Every 2026 Exam, Retake and Renewal Price
- NVIDIA NCA-AIIO Exam Cost: Price, Question Count, Retakes
- AI Certification Requirements Index: Every AI Exam Compared
Frequently asked questions
How much does the NVIDIA NCP-AIN exam cost now?
500 USD, as listed on the NVIDIA exam page on November 4, 2026. It was 400 USD until the first days of November 2026. Taxes may apply in some countries.
Does the NCP-AIN exam include hands-on labs?
Yes. The exam page now says "Hands-on lab : Yes" alongside 70 to 75 questions. NVIDIA has not published the number of labs or their topics.
Did the NCP-AIN time limit change when labs were added?
No. The page still lists a 2-hour duration, so the labs and the questions share the same 120 minutes.
I bought NCP-AIN at $400. Which version will I take?
NVIDIA has not said. Contact NVIDIA certification support through your Certiverse account before your appointment and ask which format applies to your purchase.
