NS0-003 Retired: What Replaced It and What Carries Over

NS0-003

Retired exam

NS0-003 has been retired

NetApp retired NS0-003. NS0-005 is the related successor path.

Explore related current path NS0-005: NetApp Certified Technology Solutions Professional Exam (NS0-005)

Historical NS0-003 Scope

The NCSA NetApp Certified Storage Associate exam, designated as NS0-003, is officially certified by NetApp. It validates professional knowledge in storage architecture and design, ONTAP data management, SAN and NAS configuration, data protection mechanisms such as SnapVault, cloud integration across platforms including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, and performance troubleshooting.

Who NS0-003 Was For

Storage administrators, system engineers, and support professionals seeking to validate their practical skills in NetApp ONTAP storage environments and data management should review the requirements for this credential.

Skills You Should Be Ready to Demonstrate

How to Reuse Your Preparation

To prepare for the examination, candidates should study official NetApp documentation, review cluster administration tasks, and actively practice configuration procedures using System Manager and the command-line interface. Focus your preparation efforts on mastering all six distinct exam domains tested during the evaluation process to ensure a thorough understanding of every topic.

Historical Domain Guide

ONTAP Data Management: Historical Scope

This specific domain focuses heavily on ONTAP Data Management principles, covering extensive data organization, volume operations, qtrees, files, LUNs, and general cluster administration tasks within NetApp ONTAP storage operating environments.

Storage Architecture and Design: Historical Scope

This domain covers Storage Architecture and Design concepts, evaluating high-availability pairs, cluster storage layouts, physical and virtual disks, local tiers, and network architecture components required for enterprise storage solutions.

SAN/NAS Configuration: Historical Scope

This domain deals with SAN and NAS Configuration, handling client communication protocols, file access configurations, and specific block storage settings within NetApp enterprise storage environments for data accessibility.

Data Protection and SnapVault: Historical Scope

This assigned domain examines Data Protection and SnapVault functionalities in depth, including scheduled replication tasks, data backup procedures, and advanced recovery mechanisms across multiple storage virtual machines for enterprise assets.

Cloud Integration (AWS, Azure, GCP): Historical Scope

This domain addresses Cloud Integration features involving Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, including intelligent data tiering solutions like FabricPool to optimize cloud storage utilization.

Performance and Troubleshooting: Historical Scope

This final domain extensively covers Performance and Troubleshooting methodologies, utilizing AutoSupport, Digital Advisor, and system verification procedures to carefully diagnose and resolve underlying hardware and software issues within storage networks.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the exam?

The exam contains 65 total questions presented in a linear format through Pearson VUE. Question types include multiple choice and multiple response items utilized to test your knowledge across six domains.

What is the passing score?

The passing score uses a scaled score model where the passing score is set to 60, which typically corresponds to approximately 70% passing for most NetApp exams.

How long is the exam?

Candidates are given a total duration of 90 minutes to complete all 65 questions presented during the testing session at a Pearson VUE testing center.

What is the exam price?

The price to register for the NetApp Certified Storage Associate exam is 250.0. Certification validity lasts for 2 years, after which renewal is required.

Sources and Verification

Verified 2026-08-30

How this page was made

This informational page was compiled using official NetApp study documentation, official exam guides, and verified curriculum facts regarding the NS0-003 certification path.

Historical NS0-003 Domains

1 ONTAP Data Management Weight not published
2 Storage Architecture and Design Weight not published
3 SAN/NAS Configuration Weight not published
4 Data Protection and SnapVault Weight not published
5 Cloud Integration (AWS, Azure, GCP) Weight not published
6 Performance and Troubleshooting Weight not published