Top 10 Linux System Engineer Certifications

Certifications can be beneficial for a Linux system engineer in the job market, as they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that can help prospective employers assess an applicant’s qualifications. A certification shows that the engineer has the skills necessary to solve complex problems and maintain systems. It also proves that they have a working understanding of Linux commands, scripting languages, system administration, and network security. Additionally, certifications provide validation of experience in the field and may give an edge over other applicants who lack it.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Linux System Engineers and explain how they can help advance a Linux system engineer's career.

What are Linux System Engineer Certifications?

Linux System Engineer certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's proficiency in the Linux operating system and related technologies. The certification is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge of Linux system engineering concepts, installation, configuration, security, maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimization.

Having a Linux System Engineer certification can be beneficial for both employers and employees. For employers, having a certified engineer on staff ensures that their systems are properly configured and secure against potential threats. Additionally, certified engineers are more likely to have the technical skills needed to quickly diagnose and resolve complex issues related to the Linux operating system. For employees, being certified shows potential employers that they possess the expertise necessary to perform high-level tasks related to Linux systems engineering. As such, it can be a valuable asset when looking for new employment opportunities or seeking promotions within an existing organization.

Pro Tip: When considering a Linux System Engineer Certification, make sure to research the certifying institution and ensure that their certification is recognized by employers. Additionally, seek out courses and training opportunities that will help you gain hands-on experience with Linux systems in order to prepare for the certification exam.

Related: What does a Linux System Engineer do?

Top 10 Linux System Engineer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Linux System Engineers today.

1. LPIC-1: Linux Professional Institute Certification

LPIC-1 (Linux Professional Institute Certification) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of Linux system administrators. It is one of the most widely recognized Linux certifications in the world. LPIC-1 focuses on core system administration tasks, such as installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Linux systems.

The LPIC-1 certification requires passing two exams: Exam 101 and Exam 102. The exams are multiple choice questions with a time limit of 90 minutes for each exam. To pass an exam you must score at least 500 out of 800 points.

To get LPIC-1 certified, you will need to register for the exams at the Linux Professional Institute website and pay the associated fees. The cost for each exam is $200 USD, so it will cost $400 USD total to become LPIC-1 certified.

It typically takes between 3 to 6 months to prepare for the LPIC-1 exams depending on your experience level and how much study time you can dedicate to it.

2. CompTIA Linux+

CompTIA Linux+ is an internationally recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills of experienced system administrators. It is designed to demonstrate competency in the administration of Linux systems, including installation, configuration, maintenance, security, troubleshooting, and more.

The CompTIA Linux+ exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete and consists of up to 90 multiple-choice questions. To be eligible for the exam, you must have at least 12 months of experience working with Linux systems or have earned CompTIA A+ or Network+ certifications.

To get CompTIA Linux+, you need to register for the exam through a Pearson VUE testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official CompTIA Linux+ certification via email.

3. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program offered by Red Hat, Inc. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and skills in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. The certification focuses on the core system administration tasks that are common across all distributions of Linux.

It typically takes around 40 hours of study time to prepare for the RHCSA exam, although this can vary depending on an individual's experience level. To get certified, individuals must pass a single exam which tests their understanding of the core system administration tasks. The exam consists of both hands-on performance-based tasks and multiple-choice questions.

The cost of taking the RHCSA exam varies depending on where it is taken and what type of exam it is (i.e., online or in person). Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $400 to $500 USD.

4. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a certification program offered by Red Hat, Inc., the world’s leading provider of open source solutions. The RHCE certification is designed to validate an individual’s skills and knowledge in configuring, deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. It is considered one of the most prestigious certifications for Linux system administrators.

The RHCE exam takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of hands-on tasks that must be completed on a live system. To become certified, you must pass both the RHCE exam and the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) exam. The RHCSA exam focuses on basic Linux administration tasks such as user management, file permissions, package management, network configuration, and security.

In order to take the RHCE exam, you must first complete a course or training program from an authorized Red Hat Training Partner. Once you have completed the training course or program, you will receive an authorization code which can be used to register for the RHCE exam.

The cost of taking the RHCE exam varies depending on where you take it and which training partner you use. Generally speaking, it will cost between $400-$800 USD per person for both exams combined.

5. SUSE Certified Linux Administrator (CLA)

SUSE Certified Linux Administrator (CLA) is a certification program offered by SUSE, a German-based open source software company. It is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of system administrators in using SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

The CLA certification exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions, which must be completed within 90 minutes. The exam covers topics such as installation and configuration of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, basic command line usage, file system management, networking configuration, user administration, security management and troubleshooting.

To get the CLA certification, you must first register for the exam on the SUSE website. You will then need to take an online training course that covers all the topics included in the exam. After completing the training course and passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your CLA certification.

The cost of taking the CLA exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs around $200 USD.

6. Oracle Linux Certified Implementation Specialist (OCSIS)

Oracle Linux Certified Implementation Specialist (OCSIS) is a certification program that validates an individual’s ability to install, configure, and maintain Oracle Linux systems. The certification requires knowledge of the Oracle Linux operating system and its components, including the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel. It also requires familiarity with common system administration tasks such as user management, package installation, network configuration, and security.

The OCSIS exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as installing and configuring Oracle Linux, setting up networking services, managing users and groups, using the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel, troubleshooting system issues, and more.

To get certified as an OCSIS specialist you must first pass the Oracle Linux 6/7 System Administrator Exam (1Z0-100). Once you have passed this exam you can then register for the OCSIS exam on Oracle’s website.

The cost of taking the OCSIS exam varies depending on where you take it. In North America it costs $245 USD per attempt; in Europe it costs €225 EUR per attempt; in Asia Pacific it costs $315 AUD per attempt; and in Japan it costs ¥25000 JPY per attempt.

7. Ubuntu Certified Professional (UCP)

Ubuntu Certified Professional (UCP) is an industry-recognized certification program for IT professionals who want to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the Ubuntu operating system. It is designed to validate a professional’s ability to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot Ubuntu systems.

The UCP exam is delivered online through Canonical's official testing partner, Pearson VUE. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. To pass the exam, you must score at least 70%.

To get certified as an Ubuntu Certified Professional, you must first purchase a voucher from Canonical's website. The cost of the voucher varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150-200 USD. After purchasing the voucher, you will be able to register for the exam at Pearson VUE's website. Once registered, you can schedule your exam at any time that is convenient for you.

In total, it usually takes about two weeks from start to finish to become an Ubuntu Certified Professional.

8. Novell Certified Linux Professional (CLP)

Novell Certified Linux Professional (CLP) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who work with Linux-based operating systems. The CLP certification is designed to demonstrate that an individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) operating system.

The CLP certification consists of two exams: the SLES 11 Administration exam and the Advanced Administration for SLES 11 exam. Both exams must be passed in order to become certified. The SLES 11 Administration exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, user management, file systems, software management, networking services, security services, troubleshooting and more. The Advanced Administration for SLES 11 exam covers topics such as advanced system administration tasks like scripting, performance tuning and virtualization.

It typically takes around 6 months to prepare for both exams depending on your experience level with Linux-based operating systems. To get started you should review the official study materials provided by Novell which can be found on their website. You should also consider taking a course or attending a training session if available in order to gain hands-on experience with the topics covered in the exams.

The cost of both exams is $150 each ($300 total).

9. Debian GNU/Linux Professional Certification (DGLCP)

The Debian GNU/Linux Professional Certification (DGLCP) is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of professionals who use Debian GNU/Linux. It is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and experience in managing, configuring, and troubleshooting Debian-based systems.

The DGLCP exam consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical lab exam. The written exam tests the candidate's knowledge of system administration topics such as installation, configuration, package management, network services, security, and more. The practical lab exam tests the candidate's ability to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

It takes approximately 4-6 months to complete the DGLCP certification process. To get certified, candidates must first register for the exams online at the official website of the Linux Professional Institute (LPI). Once registered, they can access study materials from LPI’s website or purchase books from third-party vendors. After studying for several weeks or months, candidates can then take the exams at any one of LPI’s authorized testing centers around the world.

The cost of taking the DGLCP exams varies depending on location but typically ranges from $100 to $200 USD per exam.

10. VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization on vSphere 6

VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization on vSphere 6 (VCP6-DCV) is an industry-recognized certification that validates a professional’s knowledge and skills in virtualizing data centers using VMware vSphere 6. It is designed for IT professionals who have experience with vSphere 6 and want to demonstrate their expertise in deploying, configuring, and managing a vSphere 6 environment.

To obtain the VCP6-DCV certification, candidates must first attend an authorized training course from VMware or a VMware Authorized Training Partner (VATP). The course can be taken either online or in person. After completing the training, candidates must pass two exams: the VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization Exam (2V0-621D) and the VMware Certified Associate 6 – Data Center Virtualization Exam (2V0-620).

Once these exams are passed successfully, candidates will receive their VCP6-DCV certification. The entire process typically takes around three weeks to complete.

The cost of obtaining the VCP6-DCV certification varies depending on the type of training course chosen by the candidate. Online courses typically cost between $500-$1000 USD while instructor-led courses range from $1500-$2500 USD. Additionally, there are exam fees associated with both exams which range from $120-$250 USD each depending on your geographic location.

Do You Really Need a Linux System Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the level of knowledge and experience an individual has with Linux systems. For those who already have a solid foundation in Linux systems, a certification may not be necessary. However, for those who are relatively new to the world of Linux system engineering or are looking to advance their career in this field, a certification can be a valuable addition to their resume.

A certification demonstrates that an individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to work with Linux systems. It also shows employers that they have taken the time and effort to learn about the platform and can effectively manage it. In addition, many certifications cover topics such as security, networking, scripting and automation, which are essential skills for any system engineer. A certification may also provide access to specialized programs or resources that may not otherwise be available.

At the end of the day, getting certified is ultimately up to the individual’s personal preference. However, for those looking to get ahead in their career or demonstrate their expertise in Linux system engineering, obtaining a certification can be beneficial.

Related: Linux System Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Linux System Engineer Certifications

1. What is a Linux System Engineer Certification?

Answer: A Linux System Engineer Certification is a type of certification that verifies an individual's expertise in the installation, configuration, and management of Linux systems. It is also sometimes referred to as a "Linux Administrator" certification.

2. How do I become certified as a Linux System Engineer?

Answer: To become certified as a Linux System Engineer, you must pass an exam offered by a recognized certifying body such as CompTIA or the Linux Professional Institute (LPI). The exam typically covers topics such as system administration, network configuration, security, scripting and automation.

3. Is there any experience requirement to earn a Linux System Engineer certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifying bodies require candidates to have some level of practical experience with Linux systems prior to taking the certification exam. This experience can be obtained through hands-on work or coursework related to Linux systems administration.

4. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Linux System Engineer?

Answer: Becoming certified as a Linux System Engineer gives an individual credibility in the IT industry and demonstrates their knowledge and expertise on the subject matter. It can also lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries for those who hold this certification.

5. How long does it take to become certified as a Linux System Engineer?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified will vary depending on factors such as your prior experience with Linux systems and how quickly you can study for the exam. Generally speaking, it should take between 6-12 months to complete all of the necessary coursework and preparation for the certification exam.