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Open free CIS-DF (CMDB and CSDM) prep resources ↗Exam facts & prep options
Certified Implementation Specialist – Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM)
ServiceNow's proctored mainline certification exam (75 questions, 90 minutes, USD 450) covering the design, implementation, and operationalization of a ServiceNow CMDB supporting the Common Service Data Model (CSDM) framework. Launched December 15, 2025, delivered through Pearson VUE test centers or OnVUE online proctoring, and now a mandatory prerequisite for seven CIS implementation-specialist certifications.
Official exam siteJump to prep options ↓
Questions75 questions
Testing time90 minutes
ScoringPass/fail against a predetermined cut score that is not publicly shared (ServiceNow states it is not always 70%); exam result is conditional and per-domain percentages are provided only as feedback
Exam feeUSD 450 exam registration cost ("All CIS" price; partner and customer discounts may apply); USD 225 retake fee for all CIS exams; historically the exam was offered free of charge from December 15, 2025 through June 30, 2026
Prep options
Study resources for CIS-DF (CMDB and CSDM)
Independent prep
Courses and study resources
Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- ServiceNow
- Category
- Enterprise Platforms
- Current version
- Current mainline blueprint (ServiceNow University knowledge article KB0012913, "Certified Implementation Specialist - Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM) Exam - Mainline Blueprint"); the exam went live December 15, 2025; no numeric version code is published
- Where it applies
- Global
- Exam languages
- English
- Testing provider
- Pearson VUE (registration through ServiceNow University, which directs candidates to Pearson; ServiceNow University moved certification exams to Pearson VUE as of November 18)
- Format
- Proctored computer-based exam — at a Pearson VUE test center or online with OnVUE remote proctoring (webcam-observed)
- Availability
- Register at any time (registration = payment and secures the exam attempt); the exam must then be scheduled and completed within 90 days, after which the registration expires and re-registration at the retake fee is required
- Results
- Conditional pass/fail notification displayed immediately on submitting the exam; an exam result report with per-domain percentages follows, and the conditional result may be updated upon final review
- Remote testing
- Available
Exam structure
75 items in mixed formats (three types of drag-and-drop/matching items, single-answer multiple choice, multiple select, and scenario-based items) across five weighted domains: Configuration 15%, Ingest 19%, Govern 35%, Insight 20%, CSDM Fundamentals 11%
Where rules vary
Worldwide vendor certification exam with no geographic restriction: the blueprint states the exam is available to ServiceNow customers, partners, employees, and others, and delivery is through Pearson VUE test centers and OnVUE online proctoring
Eligibility
No mandatory training or certification prerequisite for taking CIS-DF itself; ServiceNow "strongly recommend[s] completing the training before beginning the exam registration and scheduling processes" — the recommended path is Configuration Management Database (CMDB) Fundamentals and Common Service Data Model (CSDM) Fundamentals (course completion not required); community-facing ServiceNow guidance additionally describes 2+ years of CMDB experience and CSA certification as recommended
Retake policy
3-day waiting period between first and second attempts, 30 days between second and third, 6 months for all subsequent attempts; USD 225 retake fee for all CIS exams (partner discounts applied at payment); retakes are purchased and scheduled via ServiceNow University in Pearson VUE