CNCF Launches CNPE Certification to Define Enterprise-Scale Platform Engineering Globally

The Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineer (CNPE) joins CNCF’s expanding certification portfolio as it meets growth training demand Key Highlights The Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineer (CNPE) joins CNCF’s certification portfolio and Certified Kubernetes Network Engineer (CKNE) is announced as the next upcoming certification in CNCF’s portfolio. In 2026, CNCF will release a new certification Certified Kubernetes Network Engineer (CKNE), an intermediate-level exam for networking of Kubernetes and cloud native platforms. Since its 2024 launch, CNCF’s Kubestronaut program has recognized more than 2,500 participants across 100+ countries, underscoring worldwide demand for cloud native expertise. KUBECON + CLOUDNATIVECON NORTH AMERICA, ATLANTA, Georgia – November 11, 2025 – The Cloud Native Computing Foundation ® (CNCF®), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, today announced the global availability of the Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineer (CNPE) certification—a new credential designed to validate advanced, real-world expertise in architecting and operating enterprise-scale internal developer platforms (IDPs), as the community convenes in Atlanta for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2025 As organizations worldwide invest in platform engineering to scale developer velocity and reliability, the CNPE offers a clear pathway for professionals advancing from foundational knowledge to strategic leadership roles. Developed in collaboration with Linux Foundation Training & Certification , CNPE certifies proficiency in platform architecture, GitOps, observability, security, and developer experience across production-grade cloud native systems. “Platform engineering teams are quickly becoming the backbone of organizations looking to scale modern infrastructure, and with CNPE, we’re defining what excellence looks like at the open source and enterprise level by providing a career advantage to individuals,” said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO, CNCF. “This launch sets a global standard for the skills needed to design and operate secure and scalable platforms that empower teams and accelerate innovation. ” The CNPE is a performance-based, 120-minute certification exam that builds on the Certified Cloud Native Platform Associate (CNPA). It covers five key domains: Platform Architecture and Infrastructure (15%), GitOps and Continuous Delivery (25%), Platform APIs and Self-Service Capabilities (25%), Observability and Operations (20%), and Security and Policy Enforcement (15%). Additionally, CNCF will have another new certification coming soon called Certified Kubernetes Network Engineer (CKNE). The CKNE certification will be a practical based, intermediate-level exam for networking of Kubernetes and cloud native platforms. The certification exam will be created by members of the cloud native community to reflect best practices without any vendor lock-in.