CWTS
CWTS (Wi-Fi Fundamentals) - Certified Wireless Technology Specialist
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ExploreAbout this exam
CWTS (Wi-Fi Fundamentals), also catalogued as the Certified Wireless Technology Specialist under exam number PW0-071, was a sales-and-support-level wireless LAN certification in the CWNP program. It was designed for IT sales and support professionals rather than for hands-on network engineers, and it validated a working understanding of the basics of enterprise 802.11 wireless networks: hardware and software, security and compliance, and the "who, what, why" of radio frequency. The exam was delivered in English at Pearson Vue Testing Centers, ran 90 minutes, and contained 60 multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions. The published cost was $175.00 (USD) as an exam voucher, and candidates needed a score of 70% or higher to pass, while instructors needed 80% or higher. Preparation was expected to start from the published exam objectives, which listed the full set of tested skills, followed by the official self-study kit, eLearning, or a live training class. The six published content areas were Wi-Fi technology, standards, and certifications; hardware and software; RF fundamentals; site surveying and installation; applications, support, and troubleshooting; and security and compliance. CWNP retired the CWTS exam on December 31, 2018, so it can no longer be booked; certifications earned before that date remain valid as lifetime certifications with no re-certification required, and CWNP points candidates toward the CWS and CWT certifications as alternatives. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CWNP.
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About CWTS preparation
Can I still register for the CWTS exam?
No. CWNP states that the CWTS exam was retired on December 31, 2018 and is no longer available, so no new bookings are possible at Pearson Vue Testing Centers or anywhere else. Anyone who passed before retirement keeps the certification, and CWNP suggests the CWS and CWT certifications as alternatives.
What were the exam's format, length, and price?
Per the CWNP exam summary: exam number PW0-071, 60 multiple choice and multiple answer questions, 90 minutes, delivered in English at Pearson Vue Testing Centers, priced at $175.00 (USD) as an exam voucher. The passing score was 70% or higher, with instructors required to reach 80% or higher.
Is CWTS still worth studying if it is retired?
Yes, as a learning exercise. The objectives cover entry-level enterprise Wi-Fi ground: RF fundamentals, 802.11 standards, hardware and software, site surveying, troubleshooting, and security and compliance. That vocabulary carries directly into the current CWNP path, where CWNA is described as the foundational Wi-Fi administration certification.
How hard was the exam, and where did candidates lose points?
It was an entry-level, sales-and-support certification, so the depth was modest but the breadth was wide across six areas. The usual weak spots are RF concepts such as decibels, attenuation and interference, and security terminology such as authentication versus encryption. Candidates who skipped the published objectives and studied vendor configuration screens instead tended to struggle.
What does the lifetime certification mean for people who already passed?
CWNP describes CWTS as a lifetime certification and states that no re-certification is required because it is an entry-level certification. Passing before the December 31, 2018 retirement therefore means the credential remains valid without continuing education or renewal fees, unlike higher-level CWNP certifications.
In what order should I study the six exam areas?
Start with Wi-Fi technology, standards, and certifications to fix the 802.11 vocabulary, then RF fundamentals, because signal, attenuation, and interference explain nearly everything later. Move to hardware and software, then site surveying and installation, then applications, support, and troubleshooting, and finish with security and compliance, which reuses authentication and encryption terms from earlier areas.
What is the difference between CWTS and CWNA?
CWTS was aimed at IT sales and support professionals and validated basics of enterprise 802.11 wireless networks. CWNA is described by CWNP as the foundation for all its certifications, validating core knowledge of RF technologies and wireless networking for administrators. If you are starting today, CWNA is the current entry point.
Which current CWNP certifications replace what CWTS covered?
CWNP names the CWS and CWT certifications as alternatives to the retired CWTS. For a broader technical foundation, CWNA is the recommended starting point, and the CWNP site lists a progressive path above it including CWSP for security, CWDP for design, CWAP for analysis, and CWNE at expert level.
How should I prepare if I am using this page for practice?
Work through the six published content areas one at a time, answer questions without notes, then read the explanations for every miss, including lucky guesses. Track which area each miss belongs to and revisit the weakest before moving on. Because the exam is retired, treat the material as fundamentals training rather than a live exam simulation.