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10 Best Linux Certifications of 2026
This list is for sysadmins and admins-in-training who want a certification that proves Linux skills to an employer. We compared ten credentials from Red Hat, the Linux Foundation, CompTIA, the Linux Professional Institute, SUSE and Canonical using what each body publishes: exam format, length, prerequisites, validity and U.S. fees. Scores weigh features (depth, hands-on testing and how widely the credential is asked for) at 40 percent, and ease of access (prerequisites, number of exams, format) and value at 30 percent each. We compared documented features and published prices. Red Hat, CompTIA and Canonical did not show a USD exam fee on the pages we checked, so those rows are marked pending. The Linux Foundation retired LFCE on May 1, 2022, and Oracle's Linux exam pages were offline when we checked, so neither is listed.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 12, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 12, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
RHCSA is our top pick: EX200 is a practical exam on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 that covers storage, SELinux, firewall, users, services and containers, and it is the entry point to RHCE. If your servers run Ubuntu, Debian or a mix, LFCS gives the same hands-on proof without the RHEL focus, at $445 with one retake included. CompTIA Linux+ is the one-exam choice for people on a CompTIA path, and LPIC-1 lasts longest at 5 years. RHCE and LPIC-2 are the senior steps on the Red Hat and LPI paths, CKA is the add-on for Kubernetes work, SUSE SCA at $149 fits SLES shops, Canonical Academy fits Ubuntu-first teams, and Linux Essentials at $120 is only for beginners.
Top picks
Best overall
Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
8.7 / 10
sysadmins working on Red Hat Enterprise Linux and its clones
Read the review →Runner-up
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)
8.5 / 10
sysadmins who want a hands-on credential not tied to one distribution
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) | sysadmins working on Red Hat Enterprise Linux and its clones | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.7 |
| 2 | Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) | sysadmins who want a hands-on credential not tied to one distribution | $445 per exam, including one retake and two simulator attempts | 8.5 |
| 3 |  CompTIA Linux+ | IT staff who already hold A+ or Network+ | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.3 |
| 4 |  LPIC-1 | admins who want a long-lasting, distribution-neutral credential | $200 per exam in the U.S.; two exams (101 and 102) required | 8.2 |
| 5 | Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) | senior admins who automate many RHEL systems | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.1 |
| 6 | Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) | Linux admins moving into Kubernetes and platform work | $445 per exam, including one retake and two simulator attempts | 8.0 |
| 7 |  SUSE Certified Administrator (SCA) in SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16 | admins at companies that run SLES, including SAP shops | $149 per exam | 7.9 |
| 8 | LPI Linux Essentials | students and beginners proving basic Linux skills | $120 per exam in the U.S. | 7.8 |
| 9 | LPIC-2 | LPIC-1 holders moving into senior admin roles | $200 per exam in the U.S.; two exams (201 and 202) required | 7.5 |
| 10 |  Canonical Academy SysAdmin | admins who work mainly on Ubuntu | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.4 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
Red Hat's core Linux administration credential, earned by passing the hands-on EX200 exam on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
redhat.com8.7
out of 10
Best for: sysadmins working on Red Hat Enterprise Linux and its clones
RHCSA is the Linux credential that hiring managers in enterprise shops ask for most by name, and the format is the reason: EX200 is a hands-on exam in which you complete real tasks on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 system with no internet access and no notes. Red Hat's objectives cover the daily work of a sysadmin, including RPM and Flatpak repositories, shell scripts, boot targets, partitions and logical volumes, file system permissions and ACLs, firewall and SELinux settings, and basic container management. Red Hat recommends its RH124 and RH134 courses, or the RH199 rapid track, or comparable RHEL experience, but none of these is mandatory. RHCSA is also the gate to Red Hat Certified Engineer in Enterprise Linux and in Ansible. The weak point is price transparency: the exam fee appears only after you choose a country in Red Hat's training catalog, so we could not confirm a U.S. figure. It also leans on RHEL tooling, which matters less if your servers run Ubuntu or Debian.
Standout feature
RHCSA is the best choice for sysadmins who manage Red Hat Enterprise Linux because the EX200 exam is graded on tasks you complete on a real RHEL 10 system.
Use cases
Junior admins in RHEL shops
Prove they can manage storage, users, SELinux and services without help
Outcome: A performance-based credential that maps to Linux administrator job ads
Contractors on U.S. defense projects
Meet a DoD 8570 certification mandate
Outcome: A credential Red Hat lists for that directive
Key features
- EX200 is a hands-on, practical exam in which you complete real administration tasks
- Current exam is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- Objectives cover storage with partitions and logical volumes, SELinux, firewall, users and groups, and basic container management
- No internet access or notes during the exam; only the documentation that ships with the product
- Required first step for Red Hat Certified Engineer in Enterprise Linux and in Ansible
Pros
- Performance-based: you configure live systems instead of picking answers
- Red Hat lists it for administrators who need certification under the DoD 8570 directive
- Leads directly to RHCE, so the study effort carries forward
Cons
- Red Hat shows the exam fee only after you pick a country on a separate catalog, so check your local price
- Tests the Red Hat way of doing things (RPM, Flatpak, SELinux), less so Debian or Ubuntu habits
- Red Hat recommends RH124 and RH134 or comparable RHEL work experience before you sit it
Rank 2 · Runner-up
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)
A distribution-independent, performance-based sysadmin exam from the Linux Foundation, taken online from a command line.
linuxfoundation.org8.5
out of 10
Best for: sysadmins who want a hands-on credential not tied to one distribution
LFCS is the strongest vendor-neutral option because, like RHCSA, it grades what you do at a command line rather than what you remember. The Linux Foundation says the exam is independent of distribution-specific tasks, so you no longer choose a platform when you book. Its domains are practical: operations and deployment and networking each carry 25 percent, storage and essential commands 20 percent each, and objectives range from kernel parameters and SELinux to LVM, swap, automounters, libvirt VMs, containers, packet filtering, bonding and reverse proxies. The $445 exam-only price includes 12 months to schedule, one retake and two Killer.sh simulator sessions with 36 hours of access each. A bundle with the THRIVE-ONE annual subscription costs $625. Drawbacks: the credential lasts 2 years, so you renew more often than with LPI, and the exam is online proctored only.
Standout feature
LFCS is the best hands-on Linux certification for admins outside Red Hat environments because its $445 exam is distribution-independent and includes one free retake.
Use cases
Admins on Ubuntu or Debian servers
Earn a hands-on credential without learning RHEL-specific tooling
Outcome: A performance-based certification valid for 2 years
Self-taught Linux users
Practice in a realistic exam environment before the real test
Outcome: Two graded simulator sessions included in the fee
Key features
- 2 hour online, performance-based exam solved from a Linux command line
- Independent of distribution-specific tasks, so you do not pick a platform
- Domains: Operations Deployment 25%, Networking 25%, Storage 20%, Essential Commands 20%, Users and Groups
- Two Killer.sh exam simulator attempts with 36 hours of access each
- 12 months to schedule the exam, one retake included, certification valid for 2 years
Pros
- Fee covers two exam attempts, so a first failure costs nothing extra
- Objectives include LVM, SELinux, containers, libvirt VMs, reverse proxies and Git
- No prerequisites
Cons
- $445 is more than LPIC-1's two exams at $200 each on LPI's U.S. price list
- Certification is valid for only 2 years
- Online proctored only, with no test center option listed
Rank 3 · Also great
CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA's vendor-neutral Linux exam on managing, securing, automating and troubleshooting Linux in cloud and hybrid environments.
comptia.org8.3
out of 10
Best for: IT staff who already hold A+ or Network+
Linux+ suits people who are already building a CompTIA record and want a single Linux exam that HR teams recognize. The current V8 exam (XK0-006) launched July 15, 2025 and has up to 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions in 90 minutes, with a passing score of 720 on a scale of 100 to 900. CompTIA describes the scope as managing, securing, automating and troubleshooting Linux systems in cloud and hybrid environments, and the objectives give System Management 23 percent of the weight. CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on Linux server experience plus A+, Network+, Server+ or comparable knowledge. The certification is ISO accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board, which matters for some government and corporate requirements. Downsides: the question format tests less live configuration than RHCSA or LFCS, the exam is English only, and CompTIA did not show a USD voucher price on the page we checked.
Standout feature
CompTIA Linux+ is the best one-exam Linux certification for IT staff on a CompTIA path because XK0-006 is ISO accredited and covers security and automation in 90 minutes.
Use cases
Help desk staff with A+ and Network+
Add Linux to a CompTIA certification record
Outcome: A single exam that covers system management, security and automation
Employers with accreditation rules
Require an ISO accredited Linux credential
Outcome: A certification accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board
Key features
- Exam XK0-006 (V8), launched July 15, 2025
- Up to 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions in 90 minutes
- Passing score of 720 on a 100 to 900 scale
- ISO accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board
- CertMaster Learn, Practice and Perform labs sold as bundles with a voucher and retake
Pros
- One exam instead of two
- Covers automation, orchestration and security as well as system management
- Fits a CompTIA path after A+, Network+ or Server+
Cons
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on experience with Linux servers
- Mostly multiple choice, with fewer hands-on tasks than RHCSA or LFCS
- Exam available in English only, and V8 is expected to retire around 2028
Rank 4
LPIC-1
The Linux Professional Institute's first professional-level, distribution-neutral Linux certification, earned by passing exams 101 and 102.
lpi.org8.2
out of 10
Best for: admins who want a long-lasting, distribution-neutral credential
LPIC-1 is the first rung of the Linux Professional Institute's three-level program and the most portable option on this list. LPI describes it as validating the ability to maintain a system from the command line, install and configure Linux, and set up basic networking, without tying you to Red Hat, SUSE or Ubuntu. You must pass two exams, 101-500 and 102-500, each 90 minutes with 60 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions. LPI's U.S. price list shows $200 per exam, so the full certification costs $400. There are no prerequisites and the credential stays valid for 5 years, more than double LFCS and CKA. You can test at a Pearson VUE center in seven languages or online. The tradeoff is format: you answer questions instead of configuring a running machine, which some hiring managers weigh lower than RHCSA or LFCS.
Standout feature
LPIC-1 is the best long-lasting Linux certification because it is valid for 5 years and covers any distribution.
Use cases
Admins outside the U.S.
Take a Linux exam in their own language at a local test center
Outcome: Exams offered in English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese and Spanish
Career changers
Earn a Linux credential that will not need renewing soon
Outcome: A certification valid for 5 years
Key features
- Two exams, 101-500 and 102-500, each 90 minutes with 60 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions
- No prerequisites
- Valid for 5 years
- Taken at Pearson VUE centers or online through OnVUE
- Covers command line maintenance, installing and configuring Linux, and basic networking
Pros
- 5 year validity is longer than LFCS or CKA
- Distribution-neutral objectives
- Test center exams offered in seven languages
Cons
- Two exams at $200 each puts the U.S. total at $400
- Question-based, not a live system exam
- Requires booking and passing two separate exams
Rank 5
Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
Red Hat's engineer-level credential, now earned as RHCSA plus an advanced exam in Enterprise Linux (EX342) or Ansible (EX294).
redhat.com8.1
out of 10
Best for: senior admins who automate many RHEL systems
RHCE is the next step after RHCSA for admins who manage fleets rather than single servers. Red Hat now defines it per track: RHCE in Ansible requires EX200 plus EX294, the Advanced System Administrator in Ansible exam, and RHCE in Enterprise Linux requires EX200 plus EX342. EX294 is fully hands-on. You configure Ansible Automation Platform, write playbooks to set up multiple systems for specific roles, and Red Hat grades the work by applying your playbooks to freshly installed systems. Red Hat recommends RH124, RH134 and AU294 or comparable experience, and lists the exam for staff who need certification under the DoD 8570 directive. RHCE is also the base for Red Hat Certified Architect, which adds three specialist credentials. It ranks fifth here only because it demands RHCSA first and two exams whose fees Red Hat shows per country, which raises total cost and effort.
Standout feature
RHCE is the best advanced Linux certification for automation work because the EX294 exam runs your Ansible playbooks against freshly installed systems to grade them.
Use cases
RHCSA holders
Show they can automate configuration across many servers
Outcome: An engineer-level credential based on Ansible playbooks
Infrastructure leads
Move toward Red Hat Certified Architect
Outcome: The RHCE needed before adding three specialist credentials
Key features
- Two tracks: RHCE in Enterprise Linux (EX200 plus EX342) and RHCE in Ansible (EX200 plus EX294)
- EX294 is hands-on: you configure Ansible Automation Platform and write playbooks that are run against freshly installed systems
- Requires RHCSA first
- Counts toward Red Hat Certified Architect, which also needs three specialist credentials
- Red Hat lists EX294 for candidates under the DoD 8570 directive
Pros
- Proves automation skill across multiple systems, not single-host administration
- Graded by running your playbooks on clean machines
- Builds directly on RHCSA study
Cons
- Two exams in total, both with fees shown only in Red Hat's regional catalog
- Recommended prep includes RH124, RH134 and AU294 or comparable experience
- Least useful if your team does not run RHEL or Ansible
Rank 6
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
A Linux Foundation and CNCF exam in which you solve Kubernetes administration tasks from a command line.
linuxfoundation.org8.0
out of 10
Best for: Linux admins moving into Kubernetes and platform work
CKA is on this list for the many sysadmins whose Linux work now runs inside containers. It is not a Linux fundamentals exam: the Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation built it to test Kubernetes administration, and you solve tasks from a command line in a 2 hour online proctored session. The exam tracks Kubernetes v1.37 and is realigned within about 4 to 8 weeks of each minor release. The $445 exam-only fee includes 12 months to schedule, one retake and two Killer.sh simulator sessions with 17 questions each. There are no prerequisites, but the Linux Foundation rates it intermediate, and you will want solid shell, networking and systemd skills first. The credential lasts 2 years. Take it after RHCSA or LFCS, not instead of them, if your job ads mention Kubernetes or OpenShift.
Standout feature
CKA is the best add-on for Linux admins entering Kubernetes because its $445 fee covers a 2 hour hands-on exam, one retake and two simulator sessions.
Use cases
Sysadmins on DevOps teams
Prove they can run and troubleshoot Kubernetes clusters
Outcome: A hands-on credential valid for 2 years
LFCS holders
Add a container credential from the same exam provider
Outcome: The same $445 fee, retake and simulator setup
Key features
- 2 hour online, proctored, performance-based exam run from a command line
- Aligned with Kubernetes v1.37, updated within about 4 to 8 weeks of each Kubernetes minor release
- Two Killer.sh simulator sessions with 17 questions each
- One retake and 12 months to schedule the exam
- Certification valid for 2 years
Pros
- Hands-on format proves you can operate a cluster
- Same $445 fee and retake policy as LFCS
- No prerequisites
Cons
- Tests Kubernetes, not general Linux administration
- Experience level listed as intermediate
- 2 year validity and frequent curriculum updates mean regular re-study
Rank 7
SUSE Certified Administrator (SCA) in SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16
SUSE's entry-level administrator certification for day-to-day administration of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.
suse.com7.9
out of 10
Best for: admins at companies that run SLES, including SAP shops
SCA in SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16 is the credential to get if your employer runs SLES, which is common in SAP environments. SUSE designed it for administrators and consultants who handle day-to-day SLES 16 work, and the objectives cover the Bash shell, file system layout, Vim, remote administration with SSH and Cockpit (including multi-factor authentication), users and permissions, processes and services, storage, networking, firewall and SELinux. You earn it with one exam of 70 questions in 90 minutes and a passing score of 70%. The fee is $149, there are no prerequisites, and SUSE says course work is not required, though the exam follows the SLE201v16 course. If you fail, you wait 72 hours to retake. It ranks below the hands-on exams because it tests knowledge through questions, and its value outside SUSE shops is limited.
Standout feature
SCA in SLES 16 is the cheapest enterprise distribution credential here because one $149 exam of 70 questions earns it.
Use cases
Admins supporting SAP on SLES
Show they can run SLES 16 day to day
Outcome: A vendor certification from one $149 exam
Consultants
Add a SUSE credential next to a Red Hat one
Outcome: Coverage of a second enterprise distribution
Key features
- One exam of 70 questions in 90 minutes, passing score 70%
- Covers Bash, the file system, SSH and Cockpit remote administration, storage, networking and SELinux
- Matches the SLE201v16 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16 Operations course
- No prerequisites and course work is not required
- 72 hour wait before a retake
Pros
- $149 is the lowest fee for a distribution-specific administrator credential here
- One exam earns the certification
- Includes current topics such as Cockpit with multi-factor authentication
Cons
- Question-based rather than hands-on
- Most useful where SLES is deployed
- SUSE asks you to log in to see purchase and scheduling instructions
Rank 8
LPI Linux Essentials
An entry-level Linux Professional Institute certificate on Linux fundamentals and open source software.
lpi.org7.8
out of 10
Best for: students and beginners proving basic Linux skills
Linux Essentials is the cheapest way on this list to show you understand Linux, and it is aimed at people before their first admin job. LPI's exam has 40 questions in 60 minutes, costs $120 on its U.S. price list, has no prerequisites and never expires. The scope is the fundamentals of Linux, open source software, data processing, system administration basics and security, and LPI notes that schools often build it into their own courses. Version 2.0 (exam 010-200) is current, and the older 1.6 exam stays available until April 2027. For a working sysadmin it is too basic to carry weight on its own, and it is not part of the LPIC-1 requirements, which are exams 101 and 102. Treat it as a confidence check before LPIC-1 or LFCS.
Standout feature
Linux Essentials is the cheapest Linux certification here because one $120 exam earns a certificate that never expires.
Use cases
IT students
Add a Linux credential before an internship
Outcome: A lifetime certificate from one 60 minute exam
Help desk staff
Check their fundamentals before LPIC-1
Outcome: A $120 first step on LPI's path
Key features
- One exam of 40 questions in 60 minutes
- Lifetime validity
- No prerequisites
- Current version 2.0 (exam 010-200); version 1.6 (010-160) available until April 2027
- Vendor-neutral content you can practice on any standard computer
Pros
- $120 is the lowest fee on this list
- Never expires
- Leads into LPIC-1
Cons
- Proves fundamentals only, not sysadmin competence
- Version 2.0 exam currently in English only, with translations pending
- Employers hiring sysadmins usually look for RHCSA, LFCS or LPIC-1
Rank 9
LPIC-2
The Linux Professional Institute's second-level certification for administering small to medium-sized mixed networks.
lpi.org7.5
out of 10
Best for: LPIC-1 holders moving into senior admin roles
LPIC-2 is the senior step in the LPI program and the vendor-neutral counterpart to RHCE. LPI says it validates the ability to administer small to medium-sized mixed networks, with objectives on the Linux kernel, system startup and maintenance, block storage and file systems, advanced networking and authentication. You need an active LPIC-1 before the certification is granted, then two exams, 201-450 and 202-450, each 90 minutes with 60 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions. LPI's U.S. price list shows $200 per exam, and the credential stays valid for 5 years. It ranks near the bottom because it stacks on LPIC-1, so the full path costs $800 across four exams, and because it tests knowledge through questions instead of live tasks. For admins in non-Red Hat shops who want a senior credential, it remains the clearest option.
Standout feature
LPIC-2 is the best senior Linux certification for admins outside Red Hat shops because it covers kernel, storage and network administration across distributions.
Use cases
LPIC-1 holders
Move toward senior admin roles in mixed networks
Outcome: A second-level credential valid for 5 years
Admins outside RHEL shops
Earn a senior credential without vendor lock-in
Outcome: A distribution-neutral alternative to RHCE
Key features
- Two exams, 201-450 and 202-450, each 90 minutes with 60 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions
- Requires an active LPIC-1
- Valid for 5 years
- Covers the Linux kernel, system startup, block storage and file systems, advanced networking and authentication
- Test center exams in English, German, Japanese and Portuguese
Pros
- Distribution-neutral senior credential
- 5 year validity
- Natural follow-on to LPIC-1
Cons
- $400 for two exams on top of LPIC-1
- Question-based, unlike RHCE
- Version 4.5 is the current release
Rank 10
Canonical Academy SysAdmin
Canonical's Ubuntu qualification, earned by passing the exams in its System Administrator track.
canonical.com7.4
out of 10
Best for: admins who work mainly on Ubuntu
Canonical Academy is the official Ubuntu option, built by the company that publishes Ubuntu. The SysAdmin qualification is made up of separate exams, Using Linux Terminal, Using Ubuntu Desktop and Using Ubuntu Server, with Using DevOps Principles in beta, and you earn a badge for each one before they combine into the qualification. Canonical's exam guide describes a hybrid format: multiple-choice and scenario questions plus hands-on tasks on a virtual system, with each exam lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Exams follow the Ubuntu LTS release on the test nodes. You can take them in any order, but each can be retaken only once per calendar year, two times in total. The program is newer than LPI or Red Hat certification, so recognition in job ads is thinner, and we did not find a USD price on the Canonical pages we checked.
Standout feature
Canonical Academy SysAdmin is the best Ubuntu-specific credential because the exams come from Ubuntu's publisher and include hands-on tasks on a virtual system.
Use cases
Admins at Ubuntu-first companies
Prove Ubuntu Server administration skills
Outcome: A badge from the publisher of Ubuntu
Learners on a budget of time
Certify one topic at a time
Outcome: Separate exams that build into the SysAdmin qualification
Key features
- SysAdmin track exams: Using Linux Terminal, Using Ubuntu Desktop, Using Ubuntu Server, with Using DevOps Principles in beta
- Hybrid exams with multiple-choice, scenario-based and performance-based questions on a virtual system
- Each exam lasts 60 to 90 minutes; Using Linux Terminal is 75 minutes
- Badges per exam that combine into the SysAdmin qualification
- Exams can be taken individually and in any order
Pros
- Built by the publisher of Ubuntu
- Includes hands-on tasks on a live virtual system
- Earn a badge per exam at your own pace
Cons
- Newer program with less employer recognition than RHCSA or LPIC-1
- Full qualification takes several exams
- Retakes limited to once per calendar year, two attempts in total
Frequently asked questions
+Which certification is best for Linux?
RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator) is the best Linux certification for most sysadmins. Its EX200 exam is hands-on on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, and it leads to RHCE. If you do not work on RHEL, LFCS is the best distribution-independent alternative at $445 with one retake.
+Is RHCSA or LFCS better?
RHCSA is better if your employer runs Red Hat Enterprise Linux or its clones, and LFCS is better for mixed or Ubuntu fleets. Both are performance-based. The Linux Foundation says LFCS is independent of distribution-specific tasks, while Red Hat bases EX200 on RHEL 10.
+Is CompTIA Linux+ worth it?
Yes, for IT staff on a CompTIA path who want one accredited exam. XK0-006 has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and is ISO accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board. If you want a fully hands-on test, RHCSA or LFCS is stronger proof.
+What is the cheapest Linux certification?
LPI Linux Essentials is the cheapest at $120 on LPI's U.S. price list, and it never expires. It covers fundamentals only. SUSE SCA in SLES 16 at $149 is the cheapest administrator-level credential here.
+How long do Linux certifications last?
It ranges from 2 years to lifetime. LFCS and CKA are valid for 2 years, LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 for 5 years, and Linux Essentials for life, according to the Linux Foundation and LPI.
+Do I need LPIC-1 before LPIC-2 or RHCSA before RHCE?
Yes. LPI requires an active LPIC-1 to receive LPIC-2, and Red Hat requires RHCSA (EX200) plus EX294 or EX342 to earn RHCE.
+Is LFCE still available?
No. The Linux Foundation retired the LFCE exam on May 1, 2022. LFCS remains available, and CKA is the common next step for Linux Foundation candidates.
About this list
Updated November 12, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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