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Red Hat, an IBM subsidiary specializing in computer software, offers different level of certification programs, most of which specialize in system administration. Certifications can be validated through Red Hat's webpage,^[1] and expire after 3 years.^[2]

RHCSA is a professional certification covering core system administration skills in Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments. It is obtained by passing the performance-based EX200 examination, which is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10. The examination covers command-line tools, shell scripting, software and storage management, networking, user administration, security and basic container management.

Red Hat list completion of Red Hat System Administration I and II, the RHCSA Rapid Track course, or comparable experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Red Hat Enterprise Linux as preparation for the examination. Red Hat certifications remain current for three years.

The RHCSA certification was introduced in November 2010 as a replacement for the Red Hat Certified Technician certification. In May 2026, Red Hat reorganised its certification programme into five levels and classified RHCSA as a Level 2 certification.^[3]

The 2009 figure of 30,000 RHCT holders may be retained as historical information, but it is not useful as a current certification statistic.

Self-titled "the flagship" certification,^[4] RHCE is a mid- to advanced-level^[5] certification that builds on topics covered in the RHCSA certification to include more advanced topics such as security and installing common enterprise networking (IP) services.^[6] The certification has a heavy focus on automation using Ansible. To achieve the RHCE certification, the student must pass the RHCSA exam, EX200, and in addition EX294, a 4-hour hands-on lab exam. Red Hat recommends preparing for the exam by taking courses in Linux essentials (RH124), Linux administration (RH134), and Linux networking and security (RH254) if one does not have previous experience.^[6] Previous real-world experience is also advised.^[7]

RHCE was the first Red Hat certificate launched, in 1999.^[8] As of July 2009 there were 40,000 RHCEs.^[9] It was named the Hottest Certification for 2006 by CertCities.com.^[10]

Self-titled "the capstone certificate",^[11] RHCA is the most complete certificate in the program, adding an enterprise-level focus.

There are concentrations inside the RHCA on which a candidate may choose to focus, however choosing to do so is not required. The focuses are:

• Datacenter: skills with tasks common in an on-premises datacenter
• Cloud Archived 2015-07-14 at the Wayback Machine: skills with tasks common to cloud infrastructure
• Devops^{[permanent dead link]}: skills and knowledge in technologies and practices that can accelerate the process of moving applications and updates from development through the build and test processes and on to production
• Application Development^{[permanent dead link]}: skills in enterprise application development, integration, and architecture
• Application Platform^{[permanent dead link]}: skills with tasks common for building and managing tools and applications

RHCA was launched in 2005.^[8]

RHCVA is a certification that focuses on Virtualization administration.^[12] To achieve the RHCVA certification the student must pass EX318, a 3-hour hands-on lab exam. There is no prerequisite for the exam, but Red Hat recommends preparing for the exam by taking the respective course, RH318, and by obtaining the RHCSA certification described above.^[12] The exam also requires knowledge in using and installing Microsoft Windows operating systems.^[13]

RHCVA was Launched in November 2009.^[14]

JBCAA is a certification that focuses on managing the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform.^[15] To achieve the JBCAA certification the student must pass EX248, a four-hour hands-on lab exam.^[16] There is no prerequisite for the exam, but Red Hat recommends preparing for the exam by taking course JB248, a four-day course in JBoss application administration.^[16]

JBCAA was Launched in September 2009.^[17]

• CompTIA Linux+
• Linux Professional Institute certifications

• Jang, Michael. RHCSA/RHCE Red Hat Linux Certification Study Guide (RHEL 6). p. 1072. ISBN 978-0-07-176565-7.
• Tommasino, Damian (2011). Hands-on Guide to the Red Hat Exams: RHCSA and RHCE Cert Guide and Lab Manual (RHEL 6). p. 600. ISBN 978-0321767950.
• Ghori, Asghar (3 December 2012). Red Hat Certified System Administrator & Engineer (RHEL 6). p. 640. ISBN 978-1-467549400.

• Red Hat Certification Program
• List of Red Hat Courses