Best Linux Certifications for Beginners

Are you interested in getting certified in Linux? Do you want to be a system administrator, developer, or cyber security professional? There are a variety of fantastic Linux certifications available, and this blog post will help you choose the best one for your career goals. We’ll take a look at the top Linux certifications for beginners, DevOps professionals, and cyber security experts in 2022. So whether you’re just starting out on your certification journey or you’re looking to take your skills to the next level, keep reading for some great recommendations!

7 Best Linux Certifications to Get in 2022

If you’re looking for a certification that will stay current for years to come, look no further than Linux. So whether you’re just starting out in your IT career or you’re looking to update your skill set, read on to find out which Linux certifications are worth your time and money.

CompTIA Linux+

The CompTIA Linux+ claims to be the only job-focused Linux certification covering the fundamental foundational skills required to get you that dream job. This is the beginning of many professionals’ Linux operating systems journey. The exam pattern is comprehensive and actually tests a candidate’s skills with performance-based multiple-choice questions. The certificate is valid for 3 years with the option of renewing it.

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

The RHCSA is an entry-level certification program backed by Linux professionals wherein the candidate who has passed can perform core administration skills like installation and configuration in Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments. It also serves as a prerequisite for Red Hat Certified Engineer and allows you to experience the Red Hat Linux environment. The RHCSA exam evaluates your knowledge and skill in the domains of system administration which is common across a wide range of environments and deployment scenarios. The RHCSA exam is also valid for 3 years and can be renewed.

Oracle Certifications

Candidates who clear the Oracle Certified Professional Oracle Linux 8 System Administrator Certification will be skilled and fluent in the Oracle Linux 8 production server environment. The certificate ensures that the candidate is adept at installing, configuring and monitoring a running system. This certificate allows you to get accustomed to the Oracle Linux environment and utilize the environment’s most advanced features. This certificate is validated against Linux version 8, so as long as you work on the said version, there is no renewal required.

The Linux Foundation Certifications

LFCS (Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator). This certification is primarily for beginners who are just starting their journey with Linux and want to become Linux professionals. The only prerequisite is training in system administration. The LFCS is a performance-based exam that simulates real-world tasks and scenarios faced by sysadmins on the job. Candidates can select either Ubuntu 18 or CentOS 7. The certificate validity is 3 years post which you have to renew.

LFCE (Linux Foundation Certified Engineer)

This program is a little more advanced than LFCS. This program requires at least 3-to 5 years of experience with Linux. It helps you advance your skillset in Linux. The LFCE is a performance-based command-line exam, similar to the LFCS, where you are evaluated using on-the-job scenarios. Candidates can choose between Ubuntu 18 and CentOS 7 as their operating systems. This exam will help you qualify as a Linux engineer and will confirm that you have the capability to deploy and configure Linux at an enterprise scale. The certificate validity is 3 years post which you can have renewed.

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) Certifications

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI)’s multi-level Linux professional certification program begins with LPIC-1 (LPI). This certificate verifies the candidate’s competence to do basic operations such as handling Linux kernel, Linux command-line maintenance, as well as the installation and configuration of a Linux machine and system maintenance. This program is designed in a way to display the current research and certify a candidate’s skills in real-world system administration. The milestones are based on real-world situations and how a candidate assesses them and acts on them. The certificate is valid for 5 years and then can be renewed.

Why Get a Linux Certification?

The core question here is the same in every domain, why would anyone need a certification for anything? Simple, to prove to the industry that you are equipped with the skills you mentioned. What a certificate does is it makes you equipped for the job you say you are capable of. Linux certification courses often give candidates real-world scenarios which happen on the job. So what it does is essentially put you in a simulation, a similar environment that you will face when you work. So when you do that in your certification, you are familiar with similar situations and ready to face them in the IT industry. The certificate also makes you a reliable person for the job. With Linux gaining recognition when you say you have a certificate for a set of skills, that means the certification authority vouches for you and makes you a reliable person for those set of skills. In the same way, these certifications prove that you are the person to operate on the Linux operating system.

What Are the Advantages of Linux Certification?

The biggest advantage lies in the growth of Linux as an operating system. Fortune’s business insights say that the global Linux operating system market is expected to grow from $5.38 billion in 2021 to $18.78 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 19.5% in the forecast period. The numbers prove the viability of this profession. With more and more businesses running on Linux and even more joining every year, the amount of workforce needed to sustain it will not only grow but will be needed to remain fresh and up-to-date with skills. Certification courses are a great way to do that and master Linux. With a curated syllabus and performance-based exams, Linux certifications are a great way to remain in the current era.

FAQ about Linux certification

Which Linux certification is the best?

This is a question that needs more specification. This is like asking is there a best dish? The best Linux certification will depend upon your need, your choice, and your progression in your career. It will also depend on your previous knowledge. What level of expertise you are at right now and what certification do you need to become more advanced. The environment you work in will also play a big factor. You will also have to see whether it is correct for your domain. Like, DevOps and security will have different courses. Or if you are a beginner then CompTIA Linux+. So what you need is thorough research. Imagine it like this, this is very similar to asking for directions. What you need to know is where you are and where you want to be. Take these two prerequisites and start researching.

Are Linux certifications worth it?

To be bold in the beginning, yes! Linux certificates are absolutely worth it, let’s see why: When companies implement any Linux system, they need professionals who are ready and adept at using them, so that things get started right away. And how do they know that you are adept? By certification of course. The certificate is proof that you are skilled in that Linux system or domain. The certification gets you an in and also helps in progression. This factor balances the answer towards a yes. As long as you select the certification which helps you progress, Linux certifications are worth it.

Which Linux certification is good for beginners?

Linux certifications that are good for beginners would be those which require no prerequisites and are entry-level certifications. They get you familiar with the various Linux operating systems. Some of them are listed below:

  • CompTIA Linux+
  • LFCS (Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator)
  • Oracle Linux 5 and 6 System Administration
  • (RHCSA) Red Hat Certified System Administrator

All the above listed certifications do not require any extensive previous knowledge and will serve as foundational courses.

How much does the Linux exam cost?

Since there is a wide array of certification exams based on want and need, it is not feasible to arrive at an amount. However, there is a range which can give you an idea about how much these exams cost. Talking about the exams mentioned in this article, they range from 55 USD to 450 USD. Please note that these prices are approximate and are subject to change.

Which Linux certification is best for AWS?

AWS itself offers Linux certification based on your role and expertise. Head on to their website and choose an exam that fits your needs.

Which Linux certification is best for DevOps?

DevOps is one of the most sought-after jobs in the world of Linux environment. DevOps requires a special set of skills; it requires system administration, automation, using DevOps tools, and cloud computing. A pretty comprehensive job. Here are some of the best Linux certifications for DevOps:

  • CompTIA Linux+
  • AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional
  • Azure Administrator Associate, Microsoft
  • DevOps and SRE Fundamentals: Implementing Continuous Delivery (LFS261)
  • Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation
  • Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

Conclusion

With the door wide open on Linux, its capabilities, and what it has to offer, Linux certifications are truly the way forward. This article was written keeping current trends in mind and aimed to shed light on various certifications in Linux. The headings we covered and the specific certifications we mentioned are a good place to start your journey but like always, it is important to know where you stand and where you want to go. The industry is changing every day and so are the skills required to stay in the race. This is why, to have an edge and stand out from the crowd, you need those certificates in your basket. Every step in your career will be measured with milestones, and these certifications can be your milestones to measure not only your capability but also the journey. The speed of your career growth is directly proportional to the speed with which you up your skills. This is why, get up, get on and go for it.

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