You can see it againUnder pressure people bring back shapes and positions long after the wording has gone.
Picture superiority · Shepard 1967, Standing 1973
PALO ALTO NETWORKSPalo Alto Networks Certified SD-WAN Engineer
The Palo Alto Networks Certified SD-WAN Engineer certification validates the skills required to plan, deploy, configure, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot modern SD-WAN environments. Designed for experienced SD-WAN and SASE engineers, it covers the full Prisma SD-WAN lifecycle—from pre-deployment planning and architectural design to advanced troubleshooting. Earning this credential demonstrates your ability to use Prisma SD-WAN components to achieve network transformation outcomes and drive operational excellence.
Exam formatCertification
DeliveryPearson VUE
Free questions687
Content last reviewed 30 July 2026 · Up to date
The certification
What Palo Alto Networks Certified SD-WAN Engineer proves, and what it asks of you
What this certification covers, who it is written for, and what the exam itself looks like on the day.
5domains
31objectives
183concepts
What it is
What this certification is
What it validates, who it is written for, and the experience it assumes.
About this certification
The Palo Alto Networks Certified SD-WAN Engineer certification validates the knowledge and skills of experienced SD-WAN and SASE engineers across the Prisma SD-WAN lifecycle. It covers pre-deployment planning and architectural design, deployment, configuration, ongoing management, and advanced troubleshooting. The certification validates the ability to use Prisma SD-WAN components to achieve network transformation outcomes.
This Specialist-level credential is part of Palo Alto Networks' role-based certification program, designed to confirm that you can deploy and manage both standalone SD-WAN and integrated SD-WAN for SASE solutions. By earning it, you demonstrate job-ready expertise in planning, deploying, configuring, operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting SD-WAN environments—skills that are essential for modern network transformation initiatives.
Who it’s for
This certification is designed for technical professionals who deploy, manage, and troubleshoot Prisma SD-WAN environments. Ideal candidates include SD-WAN/SASE engineers, professional services consultants, and network engineers/administrators. If you are responsible for planning, deploying, configuring, operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting SD-WAN environments—whether standalone or integrated with SASE—this certification is for you. It is intended for individuals who want to demonstrate technical knowledge and skills in deploying and managing both standalone SD-WAN and integrated SD-WAN for SASE solutions.
Recommended experience
Palo Alto Networks recommends that candidates have experience as an SD-WAN or SASE engineer, with hands-on knowledge of Prisma SD-WAN deployment and management. Experience deploying and managing Prisma SD-WAN environments; Understanding of SD-WAN and SASE architectures; Familiarity with network security concepts and best practices; Hands-on experience with troubleshooting SD-WAN issues
The syllabus
What you’ll learn
Every domain and objective Palo Alto Networks measures, with the weight they carry on the exam.
The official Palo Alto Networks exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
Planning and Design
- 1.1 Identify and describe device selection criteria
- 1.2 Demonstrate understanding of the bandwidth plan
- 1.3 Identify and describe device licensing options and tiers
- 1.4 Explain the assessment of existing network architecture
- 1.5 Identify and describe data center configuration and data center interconnection (DCI) options
- 1.6 Explain branch (gateway) configuration
- 1.7 Identify and describe security requirements and configuration
- 1.8 Explain the process of planning for interconnectivity and high availability (HA)
- 1.9 Explain policy design and management
Deployment and Configuration
- 2.1 Explain Prisma SD-WAN deployment and configuration
- 2.2 Identify and describe site-specific settings
- 2.3 Explain the process of developing configuration templates for data centers and branches
- 2.4 Explain dynamic and static routing protocol tuning
- 2.5 Explain VRF implementation for network segmentation
Operations and Monitoring
- 3.1 Demonstrate understanding of device-level statistics monitoring
- 3.2 Explain controller-generated incident, alert, statistics, and audit log monitoring
- 3.3 Explain alert and notification configuration
- 3.4 Demonstrate understanding of WAN Clarity reports
- 3.5 Explain the implementation of network monitoring tools for real-time visibility
- 3.6 Demonstrate understanding of monitoring and managing SASE-related events
Unified SASE
- 4.1 Explain the integration of Prisma SD-WAN with Prisma Access and Security policy setup
- 4.2 Explain ADEM configuration for monitoring application performance
- 4.3 Identify and describe network setting configurations to support IoT device connectivity based on Device-ID
- 4.4 Explain the integration of Prisma SD-WAN with Cloud Identity Engine (CIE)
- 4.5 Demonstrate understanding of path and Security policy implementation based on User / Group ID
Troubleshooting
- 5.1 Explain the process of troubleshooting connectivity issues between sites
- 5.2 Demonstrate understanding of routing and forwarding issue resolution
- 5.3 Identify and describe application performance issues
- 5.4 Explain policy issue troubleshooting
- 5.5 Describe data analysis using the co-pilot
- 5.6 Explain the use of analytics to optimize network configurations and reporting
On the day
The exam itself
Everything Palo Alto Networks publishes about sitting it, and nothing we inferred.
Prerequisites
No mandatory prerequisites — this certification has no required predecessor exam or credential.
CertificationPalo Alto Networks Certified SD-WAN Engineer
Exam formatCertification
DeliveryPearson VUE
After you pass
Where this credential goes next
The path Palo Alto Networks lays out, how the credential is kept, and where to book.
Step-by-step path to Palo Alto Networks Certified SD-WAN Engineer
Credential earnedPalo Alto Networks Certified SD-WAN Engineer Certification Lifecycle status
This certification is currently active and available. Palo Alto Networks maintains this certification to validate current skills and industry relevance.
Exam status: ActiveMaintained by Palo Alto Networks
Exam registration
Register for the exam through Pearson VUE, Palo Alto Networks’s authorized testing partner.
Schedule your examVisit the official Palo Alto Networks certification page for exam policies and requirements.
View the official pageYour coach
And when you are serious, your coach Pip takes over
Your coach in the app reads what you have answered with the book closed and tells you one thing to do tonight. It will not count an answer you gave with the page open, and it will tell you when you are not ready.
See how the coach worksBefore you book
Questions people ask
Is there a hands-on lab component in the SD-WAN Engineer certification?
The official exam page does not specify a hands-on lab component. It describes the certification as validating knowledge and skills across the Prisma SD-WAN lifecycle, but does not detail the exam format beyond 'Certification'.
What job roles does the SD-WAN Engineer certification map to?
The certification is designed for SD-WAN/SASE engineers, professional services consultants, and network engineers/administrators who deploy, manage, and troubleshoot Prisma SD-WAN environments.
Can I recertify by passing a different Palo Alto Networks exam?
Palo Alto Networks does not publish a renewal model for this certification. The official page does not specify recertification options, so it is unclear whether passing another exam would renew this credential.
How does the SD-WAN Engineer certification relate to other Palo Alto Networks certifications?
The SD-WAN Engineer is a Specialist-level certification within the Network Security track. Palo Alto Networks does not publish a formal certification path, but the Specialist level sits between Professional and Architect tiers in their portfolio.
Are there any regional restrictions for taking the SD-WAN Engineer exam?
Palo Alto Networks does not publish regional availability details on the official exam page. Exams are delivered through Pearson VUE, which offers online and onsite testing options globally.
What is the retake policy for the SD-WAN Engineer exam?
Palo Alto Networks does not publish a specific retake policy on the official exam page. Candidates should refer to the Certification Handbook or Candidate Agreement for detailed policies.
Information freshness · Content last reviewed on 2026-07-30 Up to date
Practice free questions 687 questions, free, no account needed.
The curriculum
The whole exam, mapped and written
Every domain, every objective, and every concept Palo Alto Networks measures — each one written out.
5domains
31objectives
183concepts
149free pages
The domains, and what sits inside them
Every objective below is a page you can open and practise now, without an account.
The official Palo Alto Networks exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
1Planning and Design188 questions
1.1 Identify and describe device selection criteria9 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →1.2 Demonstrate understanding of the bandwidth plan4 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →1.3 Identify and describe device licensing options and tiers3 concepts · 2 pagesOpen →1.4 Explain the assessment of existing network architecture10 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →1.5 Identify and describe data center configuration and data center interconnection (DCI) options2 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →1.6 Explain branch (gateway) configuration8 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →1.7 Identify and describe security requirements and configuration5 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →1.8 Explain the process of planning for interconnectivity and high availability (HA)5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →1.9 Explain policy design and management10 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →
2Deployment and Configuration112 questions
2.1 Explain Prisma SD-WAN deployment and configuration8 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →2.2 Identify and describe site-specific settings8 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →2.3 Explain the process of developing configuration templates for data centers and branches7 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →2.4 Explain dynamic and static routing protocol tuning5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →2.5 Explain VRF implementation for network segmentation4 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →
3Operations and Monitoring156 questions
3.1 Demonstrate understanding of device-level statistics monitoring7 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →3.2 Explain controller-generated incident, alert, statistics, and audit log monitoring4 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →3.3 Explain alert and notification configuration6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →3.4 Demonstrate understanding of WAN Clarity reports7 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →3.5 Explain the implementation of network monitoring tools for real-time visibility8 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →3.6 Demonstrate understanding of monitoring and managing SASE-related events7 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
4Unified SASE107 questions
4.1 Explain the integration of Prisma SD-WAN with Prisma Access and Security policy setup5 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →4.2 Explain ADEM configuration for monitoring application performance6 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →4.3 Identify and describe network setting configurations to support IoT device connectivity based on Device-ID4 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →4.4 Explain the integration of Prisma SD-WAN with Cloud Identity Engine (CIE)5 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →4.5 Demonstrate understanding of path and Security policy implementation based on User / Group ID4 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →
5Troubleshooting124 questions
5.1 Explain the process of troubleshooting connectivity issues between sites6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →5.2 Demonstrate understanding of routing and forwarding issue resolution8 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →5.3 Identify and describe application performance issues2 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →5.4 Explain policy issue troubleshooting7 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →5.5 Describe data analysis using the co-pilot3 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →5.6 Explain the use of analytics to optimize network configurations and reporting6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →
Not a table of contents
Every line on this map already opens
In front of every objective the practice pages are already there, free and without an account. This is one objective, opened.
1.1 Identify and describe device selection criteria6 pagesOpen →
Free in front of it
28 questions on this objective, five to a page. Every range above is a real page, open now, with no account.
Reading the map is not the same as knowing the ground
The curriculum tells you what is on the exam. Proving you know it is a different job — and it is the one the closed-book run does.
Free questions
687 questions. No account, no card.
The whole bank is open. 5 questions to a page, every answer explained, and a discussion thread on each one.
687questions
149pages
31objectives
Freealways
Browse by domain
Every objective, and every page range, is a link — so you can pick up exactly where you left off.
1Planning and Design188 questions
2Deployment and Configuration112 questions
3Operations and Monitoring156 questions
4Unified SASE107 questions
5Troubleshooting124 questions
5.2 Demonstrate understanding of routing and forwarding issue resolution22 questions · 5 pagesOpen →
What a practice page gives you
1Five to a page
Short enough to finish, long enough to matter.
2Every answer explained
Not only which one is right — why the others are wrong.
3A discussion on each
Ask, answer, and vote. Every question has its own thread.
A question, and the idea behind it
Every question comes from a concept
These are not trivia. Each one is written against a concept in the book, so when you get one wrong there is somewhere to go and find out why.
The visual book
See it once. Carry it into the exam.
The pages shown here come from our AI-900 book — an example of how each concept is written in plain language and, where the idea needs one, drawn as a full page you can take in at a glance.
183concepts
687free questions
Why a picture, and not another paragraph
Three reasons, and each one is a real finding rather than a slogan.
You can see it againThe whole idea at onceWhere it starts, what happens in the middle, what comes out, and the mistake to avoid.
Multimedia principle · MayerThe look-alikes sit togetherThe pairs the exam tests are drawn side by side, so the difference is seen, not told.
Dual coding · PaivioWhat one page is made of
You are never asked to read a poster here — only to see how one is built. After that, every other page is legible at a glance.
1A numbered strip on top
The idea as a sequence, followed with a finger before a word is read.
2Panels for the parts
What it is, how the machine learns it, when it is the right tool.
3The trap, framed
The distinction the exam tests, given its own box instead of buried in prose.
4One line at the bottom
The sentence to carry into the exam room.
Open book, on purpose
Answer it with the picture beside you
This is the part that teaches. The illustration and the written explanation stay where they are while you work, so a scenario stops being a memory test and becomes something you can simply look at.
It teaches · it does not count
A smartphone uses AI to unlock when the owner looks at the camera. Which AI capability is being used?
AImage classification
BFacial recognition
COptical character recognition
DObject detection
Look at the five steps. Detect finds a face, align straightens it, encode turns it into numbers, search compares it with a stored face, and decide answers one question: is this the same person? Classification would only say “a face”. Detection would only draw a box. Neither decides whose.
Then the page shuts, and it starts counting
The same questions come back with the book closed — that run is the one that counts. After it, your coach picks one thing for tonight, sized to the time you have, and brings pages back before you lose them.
Testing effect · Roediger & Karpicke 2006 · spacing effect · Cepeda et al. 2006
Official resources
Straight from Palo Alto Networks
Where the exam is defined, scheduled and scored.
5official links
183concepts mapped
The source
Palo Alto Networks’s own pages
We link to them rather than repeat them, so nothing here goes stale behind them.
Checked against the source
Every objective on the official Palo Alto Networks outline already has questions here
We build from the official skills outline, not from a summary of it — 31 objectives, 183 concepts written under them, and free questions against every one. When Palo Alto Networks changes the outline, this page changes with it.
31objectives on the outline→183concepts written→687free questions
An official page tells you what will be asked. It cannot tell you what you will get right.
That is the only question worth answering the night before, and no link answers it. You answer it by taking the questions with the book closed, and seeing what comes back.