Top 10 Unix Engineer Certifications

Certifications are an important part of any job market and can be especially helpful for Unix engineers. Certifications provide employers with tangible evidence that a candidate has the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in their role. They also serve as a way to distinguish candidates from one another, giving employers more confidence in their hire. Additionally, certifications provide Unix engineers with the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and increase their marketability. Finally, certifications can also help Unix engineers stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends in the field, allowing them to remain competitive in the job market.

The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of certifications that can help Unix Engineers advance their careers by increasing their knowledge and skills.

What are Unix Engineer Certifications?

Unix engineer certification is a professional credential that provides recognition of the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage Unix-based systems. It is designed for professionals working in the IT industry who want to demonstrate their expertise in the field of Unix engineering. The certification typically involves passing an exam that covers topics such as system administration, scripting, networking, security, and other related areas.

Having a Unix engineer certification can be beneficial for those seeking advancement in their career or for job seekers looking to stand out from the competition. Having this certification shows employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage Unix-based systems. Additionally, it can help you stay current on new technologies and trends in the field by providing access to online resources and educational materials. Furthermore, having this credential may open up opportunities to work with larger companies or government agencies which often require certifications such as this one. Ultimately, having a Unix engineer certification can be an asset when it comes to finding employment or advancing your career in the IT industry.

Pro Tip: When pursuing Unix engineer certification, make sure to review up-to-date materials and take practice exams to ensure you are well prepared for the exam. Additionally, stay abreast of any changes in the certification process and requirements to make sure you are current on all aspects of the certification.

Related: What does an Unix Engineer do?

Top 10 Unix Engineer Certifications

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

1. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program offered by Red Hat, Inc. that validates an individual’s skills in managing and configuring systems running the Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system. The RHCSA exam is designed to test the knowledge, skills, and ability of candidates to perform core system administration tasks on Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems.

The RHCSA exam typically takes around two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To become certified, candidates must pass the RHCSA exam with a score of 70% or higher. Candidates are also required to possess at least six months of experience working with Red Hat Enterprise Linux prior to taking the exam.

To get started on your journey towards becoming an RHCSA, you will need to sign up for a course or training program that covers all the necessary topics and prepares you for the exam. You can find courses offered by both Red Hat and third-party vendors online or in person.

The cost of taking the RHCSA exam varies depending on where you take it, but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD.

2. Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC)

The Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) is an internationally recognized certification program that validates a candidate’s skills and knowledge in the field of Linux. It is designed to ensure that professionals have the necessary skills to work with Linux systems, networks, and applications.

LPIC has four levels: LPIC-1 (Junior Level Linux Professional), LPIC-2 (Advanced Level Linux Professional), LPIC-3 (Senior Level Linux Professional) and LPIC-4 (Expert Level Linux Professional). Each level requires different exams to be taken and passed.

In order to get the certification, a candidate must pass two exams for each level. The exams are written and administered by Pearson VUE, an international testing service provider. The cost of each exam varies depending on the country where it is taken, but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD per exam.

It usually takes between 6 months to 1 year for a candidate to complete all four levels of the LPIC certification program. However, this depends on how quickly the candidate can study and prepare for the exams.

In order to get certified, candidates must register with Pearson VUE and pay for their exams before they can take them. Once they have passed both exams at a given level, they will receive their official LPIC certification from the Linux Professional Institute.

3. CompTIA Linux+

CompTIA Linux+ is an internationally recognized certification that validates the skills of system administrators and other IT professionals who use the Linux operating system. The certification covers topics such as installation, configuration, security, maintenance, troubleshooting and more.

It takes approximately 50-60 hours to study for the CompTIA Linux+ exam. It is recommended that you have at least six months of experience working with Linux before attempting the exam.

To get CompTIA Linux+, you must pass two exams: LX0-103 and LX0-104. Both exams are available through Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide. The cost for both exams is $329 USD.

4. Oracle Solaris Certified System Administrator (SCSA)

Oracle Solaris Certified System Administrator (SCSA) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of system administrators who are responsible for installing, configuring, and managing Oracle Solaris systems. The SCSA certification is designed to demonstrate that an individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot Oracle Solaris systems.

The SCSA exam consists of two parts: the Core Exam (1Z0-822) and the Advanced Exam (1Z0-821). The Core Exam covers topics such as system installation, configuration, user administration, networking, storage management, security administration, system performance tuning and troubleshooting. The Advanced Exam covers topics such as network services configuration and management; advanced storage management; advanced security administration; system performance tuning; scripting; high availability solutions; virtualization technologies; web services configuration and management.

It typically takes about 6 months to prepare for the SCSA exams depending on your experience level with Oracle Solaris. To get certified you must pass both exams within 18 months of each other.

The cost of taking the SCSA exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking it costs around $300 USD per exam.

5. Novell Certified Linux Engineer (CLE)

Novell Certified Linux Engineer (CLE) is an advanced certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the installation, configuration, and administration of Novell’s SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. The CLE certification is intended for IT professionals who need to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in order to support SUSE Linux Enterprise Server in a production environment.

To become a Novell Certified Linux Engineer, you must first pass the Novell Certified Linux Professional (CLP) exam. This exam tests your knowledge of basic system administration tasks such as installing and configuring the operating system, managing user accounts, setting up network services, and troubleshooting common problems. Once you have passed the CLP exam, you can then take the Novell Certified Linux Engineer (CLE) exam. This exam tests your ability to apply advanced system administration techniques to configure and manage SUSE Linux Enterprise Server in a production environment.

The CLE certification requires that you pass both exams within two years of each other. You must also pay a fee for each exam that you take. The fees vary depending on which country you are taking the exams in but typically range from $100-$200 USD per exam. There are also some additional costs associated with studying for the exams such as books or online courses which can range from $50-$500 USD depending on what materials you choose to use.

In summary, becoming a Novell Certified Linux Engineer requires passing both the CLP and CLE exams within two years of each other at a cost ranging from $150-$700 USD depending on which country you are taking the exams in and any additional study materials purchased.

6. SUSE Certified Linux Professional (CLP)

SUSE Certified Linux Professional (CLP) is a certification program offered by SUSE, the world’s leading provider of open source solutions. The CLP certification is designed to validate an individual's knowledge and skills in administering and maintaining SUSE Linux Enterprise Server systems. It is intended for system administrators, engineers, and other IT professionals who work with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server systems.

The CLP certification consists of two exams: one for the base level of proficiency and another for advanced proficiency. The base-level exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, administration, security, networking, storage management, and troubleshooting. The advanced-level exam covers topics such as high availability clustering, virtualization technologies, scripting languages, and automation tools.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CLP certification exams. Candidates should have a good understanding of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server systems before attempting the exams. Preparation materials include books, online courses, practice tests, and instructor-led training.

The cost of taking the CLP certification exams varies depending on where you take them. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD per exam to take them at a testing center or online proctored environment.

In order to earn the CLP certification candidates must pass both exams with a score of 70% or higher within 12 months of taking their first exam. Once all requirements are met they will be awarded their SUSE Certified Linux Professional certificate along with access to exclusive benefits such as discounts on training courses and events related to SUSE products.

7. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a certification program developed by Red Hat, Inc., a leading provider of open source solutions. It is designed to validate the skills of system administrators and engineers who work with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The RHCE credential is one of the most sought-after certifications in the IT industry and provides evidence of an individual’s ability to configure, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems.

The RHCE certification requires candidates to pass a single exam that tests their knowledge and skills in areas such as installation and configuration, networking services, security, storage management, system administration tools, and virtualization. The exam is administered by an independent testing organization called Pearson VUE.

It typically takes around six months for individuals to prepare for the RHCE exam. Preparation may involve attending training courses or self-study using books or online resources. Candidates should also take practice exams to assess their readiness for the real thing.

The cost of taking the RHCE exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $400-$600 USD. In addition to this cost, there may be additional costs associated with attending training courses or purchasing study materials.

In order to become an RHCE certified engineer, candidates must pass the RHCE Exam (EX300). This exam consists of performance-based tasks that require candidates to demonstrate their ability to configure a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system through a command line interface or graphical user interface (GUI).

8. Ubuntu Certified Professional (UCP)

Ubuntu Certified Professional (UCP) is a certification offered by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux. It is designed to demonstrate proficiency in the installation, configuration and maintenance of Ubuntu servers.

The UCP certification requires passing two exams: LX0-103 and LX0-104. The exams are administered by Pearson VUE and cost $200 each. They can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center, or online with an internet connection.

The exams take approximately 90 minutes each to complete, and cover topics such as system installation, network configuration, package management and system security. A passing score of 70% or higher is required for both exams in order to become certified.

In addition to the exam fees, there is also a one-time application fee of $50 that must be paid before taking the exams. This fee covers the cost of processing your application and issuing your certificate once you have passed both exams.

Once you have successfully passed both exams, you will receive an email confirming your certification status within three weeks of completing the tests. You will also receive a digital version of your certificate that can be printed out or shared with employers or colleagues.

9. OpenBSD Certification Program

The OpenBSD Certification Program is an online certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in the OpenBSD operating system. The program is administered by the OpenBSD Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of OpenBSD.

The program consists of two levels: Associate and Professional. To become an Associate, you must pass a multiple-choice exam that covers basic topics such as installation, configuration, and maintenance of the OpenBSD operating system. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete and costs $75 USD. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from the OpenBSD Foundation and be listed on their website as an Associate Certified OpenBSD Administrator.

To become a Professional, you must pass a more advanced multiple-choice exam that covers topics such as network security, system administration, and software development using OpenBSD tools. The exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete and costs $150 USD. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from the OpenBSD Foundation and be listed on their website as a Professional Certified OpenBSD Administrator.

In addition to passing the exams, both levels require that applicants have at least 6 months of experience working with OpenBSD in order to qualify for certification.

10. FreeBSD Certification Program

The FreeBSD Certification Program is a comprehensive set of certifications designed to provide an industry-recognized measure of competence in the use and administration of the FreeBSD operating system. It is administered by The FreeBSD Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the FreeBSD project.

The program consists of three levels: Associate, Professional, and Expert. Each level requires successful completion of a written exam that covers topics related to installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of FreeBSD systems.

To get certified at any level, you must first register for the exam with The FreeBSD Foundation. You can do this online or by mail. The cost for each exam varies depending on the level; Associate costs $75 USD, Professional costs $150 USD, and Expert costs $250 USD.

Once you are registered for an exam, you will be sent instructions on how to prepare for it. This includes studying materials such as books or online tutorials that cover topics related to the exam. You will also need access to a live or virtual machine running FreeBSD in order to practice what you have learned before taking the actual exam.

The length of time it takes to get certified depends on your level of preparation and experience with FreeBSD systems. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several weeks up to several months before you are ready to take an exam. Once you have taken an exam and passed it successfully, your certification will be valid for two years before needing renewal.

Do You Really Need a Unix Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual career goals and the current job market. If you’re looking to become a Unix engineer, then having an Unix engineer certificate can be beneficial in helping you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers. It may even open up opportunities for advancement or higher pay.

However, if you’re already working as a Unix engineer and don’t feel like you need an official certification, then it may not be worth the time or money to pursue one. In this case, it would likely depend on your employer’s requirements and how much value they place on certifications.

Ultimately, it’s important to consider both sides of the equation before deciding whether or not an Unix engineer certificate is necessary for your career path. If you think that having one will benefit your job prospects or salary, then it could be worth investing in one. However, if you don’t think that additional certification is necessary for where you want to go with your career, then it might not be worth pursuing at this time.

Related: Unix Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Unix Engineer Certifications

1. What types of certifications are available for Unix engineers?

Answer: There are several different certifications available for Unix engineers, including the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification, Oracle Solaris Certification Program, IBM Certified System Administrator – AIX V7 and V8, HP-UX 11i v3 System Administration, and Novell Certified Linux Engineer (CLE).

2. How do I earn a Unix engineer certification?

Answer: To earn a Unix engineer certification, you will need to complete the relevant training courses and pass an associated exam. Depending on the type of certification you are pursuing, you may also need to gain practical experience in using the various Unix systems.

3. What is the cost of obtaining a Unix engineer certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a Unix engineer certification varies depending on the type of certification you are pursuing. Generally speaking, costs range from $200-$2000 USD depending on the type of exam and training courses required.

4. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Unix engineer certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifications require that applicants have prior experience working with or knowledge of one or more specific versions of Unix systems such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux or Oracle Solaris before taking an exam or completing training courses. Additionally, some certifications may require applicants to have passed other exams or completed relevant coursework beforehand.

5. How long does it take to obtain a Unix engineer certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to obtain a Unix engineer certification depends on the type of certificate being pursued and your level of familiarity with the relevant system(s). Generally speaking, most certifications can be obtained within 6 months if studying full-time; however, this timeframe can vary significantly depending on individual circumstances.