What Can I Do With a Linux Certification?

Getting certified is an excellent way to showcase your value as a Linux systems administrator. You’ll find a clear demand for Linux skills; certification exams can help set you apart from other job candidates. Many different types of Linux certifications exist. Use your information about your company's systems to direct you to the offerings that best match your needs.

Explore Linux certifications, how to get them, and their benefits, including understanding potential salaries with a Linux certification.

Are Linux certifications worth it?

Getting certified in Linux systems is a strategic way to elevate yourself professionally. Hiring companies often use peer-level interviews to evaluate candidates' expertise in Linux systems. Certification exams require a high level of knowledge and are a valuable way to expand your knowledge.

Linux certification and salary

Some employers look for Linux certifications to ensure job candidates can perform the role efficiently, and having one validates your skills. In advanced or senior-level roles, an employer may require or prioritise a Linux certification or Red Hat certification. Higher-level roles typically earn more than entry-level or mid-level roles that only sometimes require certifications. Therefore, earning more with a Linux certification is possible because your certification status qualifies you for higher-ranking positions.

Who can benefit from a Linux certification?

Many tech careers can benefit from a Linux certification. A couple of professions that value knowledge of Linux systems include:

• Network analysts: Network analysts working with Linux software can use Linux system certifications to increase their knowledge of configuration processes.

• Systems administrators: Systems administrators often use Linux to conduct network analytics and monitor system performance. A Linux system administration certificate can aid them in troubleshooting, data collection, and analysis processes.

Other jobs that could benefit from a Linux certification include IT security specialists and Linux engineers. Most network architecture and operation tech professionals can gain valuable skills by completing Linux certification exams.

Types of Linux certifications 

You can pursue several Linux certifications Depending on your goals, learning path, and prior experience. In addition to certification exams for specific disciplines, Linux has widely applicable general knowledge certifications.

Linux+ CompTIA

The Linux+ CompTIA Certification offers the foundational skills and knowledge you need to work with Linux systems. Many consider it the baseline certification for Linux users. This Linux certification covers the command line, installation, configuration, and basic networking applications. It also offers critical knowledge for Linux systems maintenance.

This general-purpose certification is suitable for someone with limited knowledge of Linux systems or who is new to the field of expertise. Earning this certification is an excellent starting point for those pursuing other Linux certificates. You can use it to familiarise yourself with foundational Linux concepts and the certification exam process.

LPI (Linux Professional Institute) Certifications

LPI (Linux Professional Institute) is an organisation that offers a multiple-tier Linux certification program. The programme includes specialised professional certifications based on knowledge and experience level. You’ll find three categories of LPI certifications you can explore:

1. Essentials

The Essentials programme is a junior-level Linux certification for beginners who want to demonstrate their abilities. It includes two exams:

• Linux Essentials 010 Exam: No prerequisites, 40 questions, 60 minutes. Lifetime validity period.

• Linux Web Development Essentials 030 Exam: No prerequisites, 40 questions, 60 minutes. Lifetime validity period.

2. Linux Professional

The Linux Professional programme evaluates the skills of Linux systems administrators. It includes six performance-based exams:

• LPIC-1: No prerequisites, 60 questions, 90 minutes. Five-year validity period unless retaken or you achieve a higher level.

• LPIC-2: Active LPIC-1 certification required, 60 questions, 90 minutes. Five-year validity period unless retaken or you achieve a higher level.

• LPIC-3, Mixed Environments: Active LPIC-2 certification required, 60 questions, 90 minutes. Five-year validity period.

• LPIC-3, Security: Active LPIC-2 certification required, 60 questions, 90 minutes. Five-year validity period.

• LPIC-3, Virtualization and Containerisation: Active LPIC-2 certification is required. The exam consists of 60 questions and 90 minutes, and it has a five-year validity period.

• LPIC-3, High Availability and Storage Clusters: Active LPIC-2 certification required, 60 questions, 90 minutes—five-year validity period.

3. Open Technology

The open technology programme evaluates skills and knowledge of open technology tools. It includes two exams:

• DevOps Tools Engineer: No prerequisites, LPIC-1 certification is strongly recommended. 60 questions, 90 minutes, five-year validity period.

• BSD Specialist: There are no prerequisites, but at least one year of BSD system administration or a relevant certificate from a developer exam is strongly recommended. The exam is 60 questions, 90 minutes long, and has a five-year validity period.

Red Hat Certified Systems Administrator (RHCSA)

The Red Hat Certified Systems Administrator Exam (RHCSA) is a high-value option for Red Hat software admins. Red Hat has three primary certification levels: Red Hat Systems Administrator, Red Hat Engineer, and Red Hat Architect. Each layer increases in specificity and difficulty. The RHCSA exam is a prerequisite for those wishing to earn the Red Hat Certified Engineer Certification (RHCE).

How to get a Linux certification

To earn a Linux certification, you must pass the certification exam. You can explore several options to prepare for these exams, such as boot camps, classes, and courses. Coursera offers several courses on Linux systems ranging from introductory to advanced levels, featuring instruction from industry leaders and universities, such as IBM's Hands-On Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting.

Boot camps 

Boot camps are online packages with instructional videos, resources, and literature to outline your exam's significant concepts and tasks. These boot camps aim to help you understand whichever Linux concept you choose so you can pass your exams and receive any certifications. Top companies such as Netflix, Volkswagen, and Box recommend specific boot camps for employees to learn the ins and outs of Linux systems.

Certification courses 

Certification courses often include lessons, hands-on experience, and interactive content that you can use to prepare yourself for a Linux certification. For instance, if you plan to take the Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate Exam, you must possess fundamental IT skills and foundational expertise regarding cloud computing. You can use the Learning Linux for LFCA Certification Specialisation to prepare.

Take the next step in Linux certification with Coursera

A Linux certification can help you gain a job in technical support, network administration, and DevOps engineering, to name a few.

Consider enrolling in a course when you're ready to start studying for your Linux certification. The Fundamentals of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, offered on Coursera, is an ideal choice for beginners, developing your understanding of the organisation of a Linux system and why it’s so important.