Next Certification Path after CSA with a Data Governance Background

[rakshithar9]

Hello Everyone,

I’m excited to share that I’ve recently completed the ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) certification.

My background is in Data Governance and Data Management, where I’ve worked extensively with enterprise data platforms, metadata management, and governance frameworks. Now, I’d like to continue building my ServiceNow skills in a way that aligns with my governance expertise.

I’d appreciate your guidance on:

🔹 Which ServiceNow certifications or career paths best complement both CSA and Data Governance?

🔹 Is ServiceNow GRC / IRM (Governance, Risk & Compliance / Integrated Risk Management) the right next step, or should I first consider areas like Data Foundations, CMDB, or App Builder?

🔹 What sequence of certifications would you recommend for someone with this blended background?

Thank you in advance for your insights! 

Best,

Rak**bleep**ha Rajanna

ServiceNowCSA #ServiceNowCommunity #DataGovernance #GRC #CareerGrowth #ContinuousLearning

[Bhuvan · Accepted solution]

@rakshithar9 

Congratulations for your CSA certification.

With your background in Data Governance and Data Management, you can look at exploring options to learn CMDB and CSDM next before focusing on specialized modules like GRC and IRM. Refer below for CIS certification path for Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM),

https://learning.servicenow.com/lxp/en/credentials/certified-implentation-specialist-data-foundation...

CMDB is foundation for any organization and any project and plays a key role in success of every implementation. With your background, you can play a key role in populating CMDB via discovery or integrations or manual load, designing data models using CSDM, data certifications and work with remediation tasks. 

There is no definitive answer to which ServiceNow module(s) would be the best fit for next steps in your journey. It is also about your passion and what interests you. All the best !

If this helped to answer your query, please mark it helpful & accept the solution.

Thanks,

Bhuvan

[Dr Atul G- LNG · Accepted solution]

Hi @rakshithar9 

Greetings!!

I am a ServiceNow Trainer and happy to share my thoughts.

The CSA is a good starting point, but it’s just the basics. You need to look at the bigger picture. Since you are already in Data Governance, moving towards GRC would be a strong option. At the same time, focusing on CMDB is also valuable.

Here’s a suggested learning path for you:

1. CSA → Data Foundation → GRC

2. In parallel, work on micro-certifications such as:

   • Flow Designer

   • App Engine Studio

I would also recommend not focusing only on GRC. Build your foundation with ITSM in parallel, as it will give your CV a significant boost.

Additionally, ServiceNow has added a Data Foundations certification, which gives deep insight into CMDB and CSDM. This can help you expand your expertise in core ServiceNow practices.

[Dr Atul G- LNG · Accepted solution]

For CIS - DF

https://www.servicenow.com/community/cmdb-data-foundations/new-certified-implementation-specialist-d...

[Bhuvan · Accepted solution]

@rakshithar9 

Congratulations for your CSA certification.

With your background in Data Governance and Data Management, you can look at exploring options to learn CMDB and CSDM next before focusing on specialized modules like GRC and IRM. Refer below for CIS certification path for Data Foundations (CMDB and CSDM),

https://learning.servicenow.com/lxp/en/credentials/certified-implentation-specialist-data-foundation...

CMDB is foundation for any organization and any project and plays a key role in success of every implementation. With your background, you can play a key role in populating CMDB via discovery or integrations or manual load, designing data models using CSDM, data certifications and work with remediation tasks. 

There is no definitive answer to which ServiceNow module(s) would be the best fit for next steps in your journey. It is also about your passion and what interests you. All the best !

If this helped to answer your query, please mark it helpful & accept the solution.

Thanks,

Bhuvan

[rakshithar9]

Bhuvan, thank you.

[Dr Atul G- LNG · Accepted solution]

Hi @rakshithar9 

Greetings!!

I am a ServiceNow Trainer and happy to share my thoughts.

The CSA is a good starting point, but it’s just the basics. You need to look at the bigger picture. Since you are already in Data Governance, moving towards GRC would be a strong option. At the same time, focusing on CMDB is also valuable.

Here’s a suggested learning path for you:

1. CSA → Data Foundation → GRC

2. In parallel, work on micro-certifications such as:

   • Flow Designer

   • App Engine Studio

I would also recommend not focusing only on GRC. Build your foundation with ITSM in parallel, as it will give your CV a significant boost.

Additionally, ServiceNow has added a Data Foundations certification, which gives deep insight into CMDB and CSDM. This can help you expand your expertise in core ServiceNow practices.

[rakshithar9]

Thanks, Atul.