Red Hat Certification Program Guide to Linux Certifications

Red Hat, an IBM subsidiary specializing in computer software, offers a comprehensive suite of certification programs designed to validate the skills of IT professionals. Most of these certifications specialize in system administration, providing a standardized way to prove proficiency in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments. All certifications can be validated through Red Hat's official webpage and typically expire after three years.

Core Certification Paths

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

The RHCSA is a professional certification that covers core system administration skills. It is the foundation for many other Red Hat certifications. To earn the RHCSA, candidates must pass the performance-based EX200 examination, which is currently based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.

The exam evaluates proficiency in several key areas:

• Command-line tools and shell scripting
• Software and storage management
• Networking and user administration
• Security and basic container management

Red Hat recommends preparation through System Administration I and II courses, the RHCSA Rapid Track course, or equivalent professional experience. Introduced in November 2010 to replace the Red Hat Certified Technician (RHCT) certification, the RHCSA was classified as a Level 2 certification during a program reorganization in May 2026.

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

Known as the "flagship" certification, the RHCE is a mid- to advanced-level credential that builds upon the RHCSA. It focuses on advanced topics such as security and the installation of common enterprise networking (IP) services, with a heavy emphasis on automation using Ansible.

To achieve RHCE status, a student must hold the RHCSA certification and pass the EX294, a four-hour hands-on lab exam. Recommended preparation includes courses in Linux essentials (RH124), Linux administration (RH134), and Linux networking and security (RH254).

Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA)

The RHCA is the "capstone certificate" and the most comprehensive credential in the program, focusing on enterprise-level expertise. Candidates can choose specific concentrations to specialize their skills, although this is not mandatory. Available concentrations include:

• Datacenter: Tasks common in on-premises datacenters.
• Cloud: Skills related to cloud infrastructure.
• DevOps: Technologies and practices to accelerate application deployment.
• Application Development: Enterprise application development, integration, and architecture.
• Application Platform: Building and managing tools and applications.

Specialized Certifications

Red Hat Certified Virtualization Administrator (RHCVA)

The RHCVA focuses specifically on virtualization administration. Candidates must pass the EX318, a three-hour hands-on lab exam. While there are no formal prerequisites, Red Hat recommends the RH318 course and obtaining the RHCSA certification. Knowledge of installing and using Microsoft Windows operating systems is also required.

JBoss Certified Application Administrator (JBCAA)

The JBCAA focuses on the management of the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform. To earn this certification, candidates must pass the EX248, a four-hour hands-on lab exam. Red Hat suggests the JB248 four-day course in JBoss application administration as preparation.

Certification Summary Table