Data, AI and cloud exams

343 exams · 26 vendors

Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA) exam price, length, validity and renewal

CNCF · LFCA

Official page

Exam facts

Price$250 per attempt, US list priceUSD, exam only; includes one retake and 12 months to take the exam; LFS200 course and THRIVE-ONE bundles cost more
Length90 min
Questions60
FormatMultiple choice, online proctored
Passing score75%
Valid for2 years
RenewalRetake and pass the exam before the certification expires; the renewed certification stays current for 2 more years from the date you pass.
PrerequisitesNone
LevelFoundational (CNCF calls it Beginner)
DeliveryOnline proctored (PSI Bridge secure browser)
LanguagesEnglish
Sourcetraining.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-it-associate/Last checked Nov 6, 2026

Changes

AddedLinux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA)Added by research; values read on the official pageOfficial page ↗

Other CNCF exams

CNCF program
DevOps$250Certified Argo Project Associate (CAPA)A foundational exam on automation, delivery and infrastructure as code.CAPA · Foundational · 90 min · valid 2 yearsDevOps$250Certified Backstage Associate (CBA)A foundational exam on automation, delivery and infrastructure as code.CBA · Foundational · 90 min · valid 2 yearsDevOps$250Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineering Associate (CNPA)For platform engineers, DevOps practitioners, SREs, cloud native developers, infrastructure architects and IT professionals validating foundational platform engineering skills.CNPA · Foundational · 120 min · valid 2 yearsDevOps$250Certified GitOps Associate (CGOA)For DevOps engineers, platform and software engineers, CI/CD practitioners and other team members who build internal developer platforms with GitOps built in.CGOA · Foundational · 90 min · valid 2 yearsKubernetes$250Cilium Certified Associate (CCA)A foundational exam on running and building on Kubernetes.CCA · Foundational · 90 min · valid 2 yearsKubernetes$250Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA)For beginners showing foundational knowledge of Kubernetes and the wider cloud native ecosystem.KCNA · Foundational · 90 min · valid 2 yearsSecurity$250Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate (KCSA)Pre-professional exam for people starting in cloud native security who want to show foundational security knowledge.KCSA · Foundational · 90 min · valid 2 yearsKubernetes$250Kyverno Certified Associate (KCA)A foundational exam on running and building on Kubernetes.KCA · Foundational · 90 min · valid 2 yearsAI and MLNew$250Model Context Protocol Associate (MCPA)For practitioners proving foundational knowledge of Model Context Protocol concepts, use cases and implementation considerations for agentic AI systems.MCPA · Foundational · 90 min · valid 2 yearsDevOps$250OpenTelemetry Certified Associate (OTCA)A foundational exam on automation, delivery and infrastructure as code.OTCA · Foundational · 90 min · valid 2 yearsDevOps$250Prometheus Certified Associate (PCA)A foundational exam on automation, delivery and infrastructure as code.PCA · Foundational · 90 min · valid 2 yearsAI and MLNew$250PyTorch Certified Associate (PTCA)For early-stage practitioners with some Python and machine learning experience who are beginning to use PyTorch.PTCA · Foundational · 120 min · valid 2 yearsKubernetes$250Istio Certified Associate (ICA)An associate exam on running and building on Kubernetes.ICA · Associate · 120 min · valid 2 yearsCloudUnverified$299PTCA Certification PathwayAn associate exam on cloud concepts, administration and day-to-day operations.Associate · 120 minKubernetes$445Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)For Kubernetes administrators who install, configure, troubleshoot and manage production Kubernetes clusters.CKA · Associate · 120 min · valid 2 yearsKubernetes$445Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)For developers who design, build and deploy cloud native applications on Kubernetes.CKAD · Associate · 120 min · valid 2 yearsDevOps$445Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)For Linux system administrators proving distribution-independent administration skills in a performance-based exam that simulates on-the-job tasks.LFCS · Associate · 120 min · valid 2 yearsDevOpsNew$445Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineer (CNPE)For experienced platform engineers, senior DevOps and SRE practitioners, platform architects and infrastructure engineers who design and evolve production-grade platforms.CNPE · Professional · 120 min · valid 2 yearsKubernetesBetaUnverified$445Certified Kubernetes Network Engineer (CKNE)Validates hands-on skill in Kubernetes networking, security and troubleshooting for platform engineers, network engineers and SREs.CKNE · Specialty · 120 min · valid 2 yearsSecurity$445Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)For Kubernetes practitioners who hold the CKA and secure container-based applications and Kubernetes platforms during build, deployment and runtime.CKS · Specialty · 120 min · valid 2 years
ExamPrice
Certified Argo Project Associate (CAPA)CAPAA foundational exam on automation, delivery and infrastructure as code.$250
Certified Backstage Associate (CBA)CBAA foundational exam on automation, delivery and infrastructure as code.$250
Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineering Associate (CNPA)CNPAFor platform engineers, DevOps practitioners, SREs, cloud native developers, infrastructure architects and IT professionals validating foundational platform engineering skills.$250
Certified GitOps Associate (CGOA)CGOAFor DevOps engineers, platform and software engineers, CI/CD practitioners and other team members who build internal developer platforms with GitOps built in.$250
Cilium Certified Associate (CCA)CCAA foundational exam on running and building on Kubernetes.$250
Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA)KCNAFor beginners showing foundational knowledge of Kubernetes and the wider cloud native ecosystem.$250
Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate (KCSA)KCSAPre-professional exam for people starting in cloud native security who want to show foundational security knowledge.$250
Kyverno Certified Associate (KCA)KCAA foundational exam on running and building on Kubernetes.$250
Model Context Protocol Associate (MCPA)MCPANewFor practitioners proving foundational knowledge of Model Context Protocol concepts, use cases and implementation considerations for agentic AI systems.$250
OpenTelemetry Certified Associate (OTCA)OTCAA foundational exam on automation, delivery and infrastructure as code.$250
Prometheus Certified Associate (PCA)PCAA foundational exam on automation, delivery and infrastructure as code.$250
PyTorch Certified Associate (PTCA)PTCANewFor early-stage practitioners with some Python and machine learning experience who are beginning to use PyTorch.$250
Istio Certified Associate (ICA)ICAAn associate exam on running and building on Kubernetes.$250
PTCA Certification PathwayUnverifiedAn associate exam on cloud concepts, administration and day-to-day operations.$299
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)CKAFor Kubernetes administrators who install, configure, troubleshoot and manage production Kubernetes clusters.$445
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)CKADFor developers who design, build and deploy cloud native applications on Kubernetes.$445
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)LFCSFor Linux system administrators proving distribution-independent administration skills in a performance-based exam that simulates on-the-job tasks.$445
Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineer (CNPE)CNPENewFor experienced platform engineers, senior DevOps and SRE practitioners, platform architects and infrastructure engineers who design and evolve production-grade platforms.$445
Certified Kubernetes Network Engineer (CKNE)CKNEBetaUnverifiedValidates hands-on skill in Kubernetes networking, security and troubleshooting for platform engineers, network engineers and SREs.$445
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)CKSFor Kubernetes practitioners who hold the CKA and secure container-based applications and Kubernetes platforms during build, deployment and runtime.$445
Track
CloudNewOracle Cloud Infrastructure Foundations AssociateFor learners with a basic understanding of cloud computing who want foundational OCI knowledge.Oracle · 1Z0-1085-26 · Foundational · 60 minCloud$75Salesforce Certified MuleSoft Integration FoundationsCertified MuleSoft Integrations Foundations certification is designed for individuals who have knowledge of core integration and API-led connectivity terminology and can work as an informed member of a MuleSoft project...Salesforce · Mule-101 · Foundational · 70 minCloud$75Salesforce Certified Platform FoundationsThe Salesforce Certified Platform Foundations exam is designed for users with a fundamental awareness of how an integrated CRM platform solves the challenge of connecting departments and customer data, with up to 6...Salesforce · Plat-101 · Foundational · 70 minCloud$99Cloud Digital LeaderFor anyone who wants to show knowledge of cloud computing basics and how Google Cloud products support business goals.Google Cloud · Foundational · 90 min · valid 3 yearsCloud$99Microsoft Certified: Azure FundamentalsFor technology professionals who want to show foundational knowledge of cloud concepts and core Azure services, management and governance.Microsoft · AZ-900 · Foundational · 45 min · valid Does not expireCloud$100AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerEntry point for people with no prior IT or cloud background, or business staff, who need foundational AWS Cloud literacy.AWS · CLF-C02 · Foundational · 90 min · valid 3 yearsCloudUnverifiedMongoDB Associate Atlas Administrator ExamFor MongoDB Atlas administrators who administer Atlas, implement security, optimize performance and manage version upgrades.MongoDB · Associate · 120 minCloudRed Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)For experienced RHEL system administrators and DevOps professionals; the foundation for administration across Red Hat products and a prerequisite for Red Hat Certified Engineer in Enterprise Linux and in Ansible.Red Hat · EX200 · Associate · valid 3 years
ExamPrice
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Foundations Associate1Z0-1085-26NewFor learners with a basic understanding of cloud computing who want foundational OCI knowledge.-
Salesforce Certified MuleSoft Integration FoundationsMule-101Certified MuleSoft Integrations Foundations certification is designed for individuals who have knowledge of core integration and API-led connectivity terminology and can work as an informed member of a MuleSoft project...$75
Salesforce Certified Platform FoundationsPlat-101The Salesforce Certified Platform Foundations exam is designed for users with a fundamental awareness of how an integrated CRM platform solves the challenge of connecting departments and customer data, with up to 6...$75
Cloud Digital LeaderFor anyone who wants to show knowledge of cloud computing basics and how Google Cloud products support business goals.$99
Microsoft Certified: Azure FundamentalsAZ-900For technology professionals who want to show foundational knowledge of cloud concepts and core Azure services, management and governance.$99
AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerCLF-C02Entry point for people with no prior IT or cloud background, or business staff, who need foundational AWS Cloud literacy.$100
MongoDB Associate Atlas Administrator ExamUnverifiedFor MongoDB Atlas administrators who administer Atlas, implement security, optimize performance and manage version upgrades.-
Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)EX200For experienced RHEL system administrators and DevOps professionals; the foundation for administration across Red Hat products and a prerequisite for Red Hat Certified Engineer in Enterprise Linux and in Ansible.-
About this exam

A pre-professional certification for people new to IT or starting a career as an administrator or engineer, covering fundamentals including cloud computing.

What the official page says
  • Price: "1. Certification exam only – $250"
  • Duration: "Duration of Exam 90 minutes"
  • Questions: "The multiple-choice exam is delivered online and consists of 60* multiple-choice questions."
  • Validity: "Certification Valid for 2 Years"

Certifications are valid for 2 years and are renewed by retaking and passing the exam before the expiration date, which extends them 2 years from the new pass date.

Each exam purchase includes one free retake, which must be taken within 12 months of the original purchase; SINGLE-attempt purchases and no-shows get no retake.

CNCF policy