According to Fortune Business Insight, the Linux OS market is expected to be $15.6 billion by the year 2027.
Many IT organizations are aware of these certifications and they have started to look for Linux Foundation Certification in their resumes. This has made the Linux Certifications a must-have in your resume.
If you are learning Linux, then you would be considered a system administrator with the latest skills and an outstanding resume. Additionally, the Linux Foundation coupons can be of great help to Linux learners.
In this article, I am providing a list of the best Linux Certifications that will help you in your career growth. You can choose your career path and then select the Linux Certification accordingly.
Best Linux Certifications in 2024:
| Courses | Format | Fees | Passing Score | Duration | Validity |
| Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) | Online | $300 | 66% | 2 hours | 3 years |
| Oracle Linux Certification | Online | $245 | 60% | 90 minutes | 2 years |
| GCUX certification | Online | $1,899 | 68% | 2 hours | No expiry |
| RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) | Online | $400 | 60% | 5 hours | 2 years |
| LPI (Linux Professional Institute) | Online | $200 | 500/800 | 90 minutes | 5 years |
| LPIC 1 – Linux Administrator | Online | $120 | 500/800 | 90 minutes | 5 years |
| LPIC 3 – 300 – Linux Enterprise Professional Certification | Online | $120 | 500/800 | 90 minutes | 5 years |
| LFCE (Linux Foundation Certified Engineer) | Online | $375 | 57% | 2 hours | 3 years |
| CompTIA Linux+ | Online | $348 | 720/900 | 90 minutes | 3 years |
| RHCA (Red Hat Certified Architect) | Online | $400 | 60% | 5 hours | 2 years |
Below are some of the Linux Certifications that you can easily get your hands on-
#1) Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)
This certification is one of the most recommended certifications on the Linux Foundation. If you want to become a Linux Administrator and have a successful career in it, then you must have this certification.
In this certification exam, you will learn about tasks related to the job, and real word scenarios as professionals. It is crucial to assess your technical skills. I ensure that the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator is the best certification to analyze your skills.
Details-
| Prerequisites | Not Available |
| Duration of Exam | 2-hours |
| Platform | Online |
| Languages available | English, Portuguese, Spanish, German, and Japanese |
| Passing Score | 66% or above |
| Career | Linux Foundation Certified Engineer |
| Cost of the Exam | USD 300 |
| Expiration | 3-Years |
#2) Oracle Linux Certification
If you are interested in the design, configuration, and implementation of the Linux 6 solution, this certification can be a good fit for you. The Oracle Linux 6 Certified Implementation Specialist Certification does not require a certain prerequisite, and anyone can pursue this certification course.
All you need to have is some prior experience in the implementation of Linux 6.
It is certainly one of the best Linux Certification exam courses.
Details-
| Prerequisite | N.A. |
| Amount of Questions | 80 |
| Duration of exam | 150 minutes |
| Format of Questions | MCQs |
| Passing Score | 61% or above |
| Cost of the Exam | ₹10,475.00 |
| Expiration | 5 years |
#3) GCUX certification
This Linux Foundation course focuses on the professionalism of the Linux Unix System, application security, and digital forensics. You will be able to understand all of these factors and have a thorough understanding of the Linux and Unix systems.
GCUX certification helps you with various tools like AIDE, SSH, and more to learn how to secure the system and align operations with security problems.
Applicants who are keen to grow their career in cybersecurity can get this certification which includes security administrator, professional, auditor, analyst, and more.
#4) RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux)
Red Hat developed the Red Hat Enterprise Linux certification which refers to the Linux Distribution System. If you want a certification course that is related to the commercial market, make it a unique and extraordinary course for all individuals interested in commerce, finance, and banking.
Details-
| Prerequisites of the Course | Basic technical user skills.Handling computer applications.Knowledge of some operating systems. |
| Duration of Exam | 5-hours. |
| Career Path | Linux system administratorsDevOps engineersCloud administrators |
| Cost of the Exam | USD 400 |
#5) LPI (Linux Professional Institute)
Linux Professional Institute can help you in enhancing your Linux technical knowledge. This certification consists of a series of certifications that include LPIC-1, LPIc-2, and LPIC-3. The LPIC-1 is for beginners out there who want to build a career in Linux Administration.
LPIC-3 is for professionals out there who are looking to enhance their career at the enterprise level of Linux Administration. The LPIC-2 is in the moderate range and its level lies between the LPIC-1 and LPIC-3.
Linux has several non-profit organizations, and LPI is one of them. If you are a beginner, then LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 certifications are suitable for you. These courses will help you in learning about networking; from basics to moderate to advanced stages.
Below, LPIC-1 and LPIC-3 are discussed in detail.
#6) LPIC 1 – Linux Administrator
LPIC 1 – Linux Administrator is one of the most recommended certifications by a professional Linux Senior Administrator. This certification is famous for its popularity and recognizability and is the first-ever multi-level Linux professional certification.
The Linux Professional Institute introduced this program so that candidates can show their ability to perform maintenance tasks on the command line. You can also perform the networking, installation, and configuration process of Linux.
Candidates who want to prove themselves as system administrators who can work with real-time problems must get this certification.
There are no eligibility criteria to get this certification, and you have to pass the 101 and 102 exams to get this certification process. LPIC-1 is valid for 5 years.
Details-
| Certification Name | LPIC-1: Linux Administrator |
| Certification Prerequisites | For LPIC-1, Fundamental Linux knowledge. |
| Format of the Exam | Online |
| Available Languages | English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese |
| Cost of the Exam | $200 |
| Expiration | 5-years |
#7) LPIC 3 – 300 – Linux Enterprise Professional Certification
LPIC-3 certification is one of the most professional courses offered by the Linux Professional Institute. This certification is not for beginners or someone at a mediocre level, rather it is for professionals on the enterprise level of Linux.
This certification is said to be one of the highest levels that have distribution-neutral Linux Certification within the industry. You will get 4 different versions of LPIC-3 specialty certifications. You must be thinking that 4 exams are too much, but this is not the case.
You just have to pass any one of these four different versions of LPIC-3 to get your certification. Do you know that LPIC-3 Mixed Environment helps you get certification in the administration of mixed environments in Linux Systems?
Details-
| Certification Name | LPIC-2: Linux Engineer |
| Certification Prerequisites | For LPIC-2, Must have an active LPIC-1 certification. |
| Format of the Exam | Online |
| Available Languages | English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese |
| Cost of the Exam | $200 |
| Expiration | 5-years |
#8) LFCE (Linux Foundation Certified Engineer)
If you have a proper experience in the Linux certification of around 3 to 5 years, then the Linux Foundation Certified Engineer is the best certification. Candidates who are looking to upgrade their position in their Linux career should opt for this course.
It focuses on the upskilling and advancement of the candidate’s skills.
This certification includes on-the-job and real-world scenarios that develop your skills in real-time. LFCE certification will provide you with great knowledge to deal professionally with upcoming trends in your Linux career.
There are no eligibility criteria to get this certification, except that you have to have 3 to 5-years of prior experience in Linux. The expiration of this certification is 3 years.
#9) CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA Linux+ is mainly for job-focused candidates who look forward to building up their careers in corporate and upgrading their positions. This certification includes all the necessary and latest upskilling techniques where you can learn about the different aspects of Linux.
This certification includes Linux Command Line, Linux Distribution, Linux Networking, Linux Installation, Configuration, maintenance, and more.
How would you apply these skills in the Linux Operating System?
You will be able to configure, monitor, and support the Operating System of Linux.
This course is one of the best for the beginning stage of your career as a Linux System Certification. The questionnaire in this certification has the right mixture of both MCQs and Performance-based which ensures that you have gained a Hands-on Linux skillset.
CompTIA is one of the most suitable and favorable certifications for all developers, engineers, cybersecurity, and IT professionals.
Details-
| Number of Questions | 90 questions |
| Question Type | MCQs + Performance based |
| Duration | 90 Minutes |
| Passing Score | 720 out of 900 |
| Pricing | USD 358 |
| Languages Available | English, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish |
| Expiration | 3-years |
#10) RHCA (Red Hat Certified Architect)
Red Hat Certified Architect is a versatile term used for someone who has gained the uppermost level of certification in Red Hat Certified Engineer, Red Hat Enterprise Microservice Developer, and Red Hat Certified JBoss Developer certification.
This certification is achieved when the candidate passes the examinations and keeps the five certifications that he has chosen from the administrator and developer’s list.
You would find two RHCA certifications; RHCA- Infrastructure and RHCA- Enterprise Applications. This certification can be achieved either by passing one or both exams.
The RHCA seems to be a very flexible and versatile certification because of its eligibility and availability to engineers and developers. Several organizations have been using Red Hat Technologies proving themselves as one of the best in Information Technology.
Why get Linux Certifications?
The popularity of Linux Certification has been increasing day by day in the tech world. More tech geeks like DevOps engineers, data administrators, and system admins are being aware of it and recruiters and professionals in the IT industry prefer a Linux Certified applicant.
Now, the Linux Foundation is recognized worldwide.
The usage of Open Cloud Platforms is at its peak now and there is an increasing demand for Linux professionals. This is making the Linux Foundation gain more popularity. If you are a Linux-certified professional, then you are on a good career path where you can get a lot of money.
For professions like a sysadmin, cybersecurity professional, system engineer, and more you must have a strong grip on the technological knowledge and experience. Linux certification is the best way to push your IT professionalism and gain a valuable status in IT. You can say that the Linux Certification Course can boost your career in IT to another level.
Advantages of Linux Certifications
Below are some important Linux Certification advantages. I am sure you would find many benefits in these certifications.
- It adds value to your resume.
- You become versatile and flexible with job positions.
- You will get training material to prepare for the exam.
- Real-time work experience is available.
- Hands-on learning
- Makes you conceptually clear.
- Provides you with the point knowledge and its applications.
- There is a huge demand for these Linux professionals because of Open Cloud Platforms.
- Interaction with professionals and trainers can help you solve your doubts.
- Practice labs are available for real-world problem-solving learning.
- The organization pays more to Linux-certified candidates.
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Conclusion
I have mentioned all the details about the best Linux Certifications, and hopefully, you have got a nice idea about which certification is best for you.
It is crucial to analyze all the factors, i.e., pricing, expiration, format, prerequisites, and more. You should opt for the Linux Foundation Certification that suits you the best.
For the commercial market, go with Red Hat Enterprise Linux Certification. If you are interested in cybersecurity, then you should get the GCUX Certification. Similarly, there are more options available depending on your varying interest.
If you are similarly looking to explore options in DevOps, check out our post on the best DevOps certifications.