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Exam Information
Official specifications published by ServiceNow
Exam Format
90 min
60
70
Implementation Specialist
Registration
$450 USD
Kryterion, Pearson VUE, or online proctoring
English
Validity
3 years
Complete Mainline Certification exam before expiration; Complete required ServiceNow training and earn continuing education credits; Pass updated version of exam if available
CIS-SM Exam Topics and Domains
CIS-SM is organized into 6 weighted domains. Expect to work with Service Mapping, Pattern Designer, CMDB, Discovery, and more.
1
Service Mapping Pattern Design
30%
Pattern Designer Components and Techniques
Debug functionality in Pattern DesignerSteps configuration and sequencingTemporary variables managementCommand Line Console usage
- Master Pattern Designer debugging techniques
- Configure pattern steps effectively
- Manage temporary variables across pattern execution
- Execute and parse command line operations
Pattern Operations and Parsing Strategies
Match operationsParse variable operationsParse file operationsParsing strategies and best practices
- Implement effective match operations
- Parse command output and files efficiently
- Apply appropriate parsing strategies for different scenarios
- Optimize pattern parsing performance
Scripting Methods and Application Identification
WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) scriptingSSH (Secure Shell) scriptingRegular Expressions (Regex)Command-Line scriptingSNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)Application identification techniques
- Master various scripting methods for pattern design
- Write effective regex patterns for data extraction
- Implement application identification techniques
- Choose appropriate scripting method for each scenario
2
Service Mapping Configuration
20%
Service Mapping Setup and Configuration
Service configuration and setupEntry points managementCI Types configurationConfiguration files and tuning parametersApplications configurationIP ranges and MID Servers configurationIcons customization
- Configure services and entry points effectively
- Manage CI types and configurations
- Optimize Service Mapping performance through tuning
- Configure IP ranges and MID Server assignments
Service Mapping Process Flow and Troubleshooting
Service mapping process flowProcess flow troubleshootingDiscovery Log analysisCommon configuration issues
- Understand complete Service Mapping process flow
- Troubleshoot process flow issues effectively
- Analyze Discovery Logs for problem diagnosis
- Resolve common configuration issues
3
Discovery Configuration
15%
Discovery Setup and Process Flow
Discovery setup and configurationDiscovery process flowDiscovery behaviors managementTroubleshooting discovery issues
- Configure discovery schedules and behaviors
- Understand discovery process flow
- Troubleshoot common discovery issues
- Optimize discovery performance
Discovery Components and Services
Clusters configurationIP Services managementDiscovery schedules creation
- Configure cluster and IP service discovery
- Create and manage discovery schedules
- Optimize discovery timing and frequency
MID Server and Discovery Rules
MID Server requirements and architectureMID Server reclassificationIdentification RulesReconciliation RulesDatasource Precedence Rules
- Understand MID Server architecture and requirements
- Configure identification and reconciliation rules
- Manage datasource precedence for data quality
- Troubleshoot MID Server and discovery rule issues
4
Machine Learning
10%
ML-Powered Service Mapping
Service mapping methods with MLML-powered mapping techniquesAutomated service discovery with MLPattern recognition and service dependency mapping
- Understand ML-powered service mapping capabilities
- Configure and use ML connection suggestions
- Implement automated service discovery with ML
- Evaluate and validate ML-driven results
5
Configuration Management Database (CMDB)
15%
CMDB Management and Health
CI class managementCMDB Health DashboardCI Class Manager operationsCMDB Tables structure
- Manage CI classes and class hierarchy
- Monitor and improve CMDB health
- Navigate and use CI Class Manager
- Understand CMDB table structure and relationships
CMDB Identification and Reconciliation
CMDB identification strategiesCMDB reconciliation processApplication Identification and Connection Sections
- Implement effective CI identification strategies
- Configure and manage reconciliation processes
- Set up Application Identification and Connection Sections
- Prevent and resolve duplicate CIs
CMDB Relationships and Mapping
CI identification in service mappingRelationship mapping strategiesDifferent relationship typesCMDB relationships in service mapping
- Create and manage CI relationships in service mapping
- Understand and use different relationship types
- Build accurate service map relationships
- Validate and troubleshoot relationships
6
Service Mapping Engagement Readiness
10%
Service Mapping Planning and Implementation
Scoping and planning service mappingImplementation requirementsImplementation skill sets
- Scope and plan service mapping engagements
- Identify implementation requirements
- Assess required skill sets and resources
Service Mapping Benefits and Use Cases
Operational IT improvementsMeasurable KPI improvementsService Mapping benefits realizationService Mapping use casesOperationalizing IT with service mapping
- Articulate service mapping business benefits
- Identify and implement relevant use cases
- Measure and demonstrate KPI improvements
- Operationalize IT using service mapping
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CIS-SM earns the ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist - Service Mapping certification. It sits in the IT Operations Management (ITOM) track.
Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
- CIS-EM - ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist - Event ManagementNatural progression in ITOM visibility and monitoring
- CIS-VR - ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist - Vulnerability ResponseExtends ITOM capabilities with security vulnerability management
- CTA - ServiceNow Certified Technical ArchitectHighest technical certification - requires multiple CIS certifications
Alternative Paths
- CIS-ITSM - ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist - IT Service ManagementComplementary service management skills for holistic ServiceNow expertise
- CIS-CSM - ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist - Customer Service ManagementService mapping concepts applicable to customer service scenarios
- CIS-SAM - ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist - Software Asset ManagementLeverages CMDB data for asset management
- CIS-HAM - ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist - Hardware Asset ManagementDiscovery and CMDB skills extend to hardware asset tracking
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for CIS-SM is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-07
Updates
- ML-Powered Service Mapping Xanadu/Yokohama Increased emphasis on ML features in exam (Domain 4 - 10%) • Release date: 2024-Q4
- Enhanced Pattern Designer Washington DC/Xanadu New debugging features likely tested in Domain 1 (Pattern Design - 30%) • Release date: 2024-Q1
- CMDB Health Dashboard Vancouver/Washington DC Enhanced health metrics relevant to Domain 5 (CMDB - 15%) • Release date: 2023-Q3
- Traffic-Based Discovery Utah onwards Key feature in Domain 4 (Machine Learning - 10%) • Release date: 2023-Q1
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by ServiceNow Implementation Specialists and ServiceNow Consultants.
Certification: ServiceNow Discovery Certification; Exam Code: CIS-Discovery; Mandatory: Yes; Reason: Foundation for Service Mapping concepts
- Certification: ServiceNow Event Management Certification; Exam Code: CIS-Event Management; Mandatory: No; Reason: Complementary ITOM knowledge