Big News: CIS – Data Foundations Exam Is Now Free – Here’s Everything You Need to Know

[Its_Azar]

From December 15, 2025, to June 30, 2026, the CIS – Data Foundations exam will be offered free of cost for the first attempt.
This removes the biggest concern many professionals had — the cost.

If you already purchased the exam earlier, you can:

• Raise a ServiceNow case after December 10, 2025

• Request a free exam attempt for another certification

Final Deadline for Existing CIS Holders

If you already hold any of the impacted CIS certifications, you must pass CIS – Data Foundations by December 31, 2026.

If you fail to complete it by then:

• Your existing CIS certifications will expire

• To regain them, you must pass both Data Foundations and the original CIS exam again

Impact Based on Your Profile

If You Are Already Certified

You have time until Dec 31, 2026 to clear Data Foundations and keep your certifications active.

 

If You Completed Training & Bought a Voucher

You must first pass Data Foundations before you can schedule your CIS exam.
Your voucher remains valid — it will not expire.

 

If You Are a New Candidate

You must pass CIS – Data Foundations first before registering for any of the seven affected CIS certifications. as these are also temporarily blocked to register.

 

Training Is No Longer Mandatory 

Another important update:
You are no longer required to complete the official training course before taking the exam.
However, ServiceNow still strongly recommends the course for better success.

 

Why This Is Actually a Good Change

Instead of seeing this as an obstacle, this update brings major benefits:

• Better real-world CMDB quality

• Fewer failed implementations

• Stronger Service Mapping and Discovery setups

• Cleaner ITOM and ITAM processes

• Better job readiness for consultants and admins

• Higher credibility for CIS certifications

This change raises the overall standard of ServiceNow professionals globally.

Summary Table

Candidate Type	Requirement	Deadline	Consequence if Not Met
Already certified in one of the seven listed exams	Must pass CIS – Data Foundations	Dec 31, 2026	Certification expires
Completed training and purchased a voucher	Must pass CIS – Data Foundations first	No set deadline	Cannot schedule the seven listed exams
New candidates	Must pass CIS – Data Foundations before the other exams	Ongoing requirement	Cannot register/schedule the seven listed exams

Final Thoughts

If you already hold a CIS certification — don’t panic. You have time.
If you’re planning to write CIS soon — plan your Data Foundations early.
And with the free exam window, there has honestly never been a better time to clear it.

CMDB and CSDM are no longer “optional knowledge” — they are mandatory skills for the future of ServiceNow. Its really awesome because I was worried about this sudden change and thought it should have not happened; we developers spoke as a community and ServiceNow heard it and made the change.

Community rocks.