Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) exam price, length, validity and renewal
CNCF · Associate · LFCS · $445 · 120 min · 17 to 20 tasks · valid 2 years
Exam facts
Checked Sep 25, 2026 on CNCF's page| Price | $445 per attempt, US list priceUSD, exam only; includes one retake, two exam simulator attempts and 12 months to take the exam; course and THRIVE-ONE bundles cost more |
|---|---|
| Length | 120 min |
| Questions | 17 to 20 tasks |
| Format | Performance-based tasks on a Linux command line, online proctored |
| Passing score | 67% |
| Valid for | 2 years |
| Renewal | Retake and pass the certification exam before the certification expires. |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Level | Associate (CNCF calls it Intermediate) |
| Delivery | Online proctored (PSI Bridge secure browser) |
| Languages | English, German, Japanese, Simplified Chinese (Japanese and Chinese via separate exam versions) |
| Source | training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/linux-foundation-certified-sysadmin-lfcs/Last checked Sep 25, 2026 |
Changes
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Track| Exam | Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | - | 90 min | - | |
| Associate | $70.50 | 60 min | 2 years | |
 AWS Certified Developer - AssociateDVA-C02 · Associate · 130 min | Associate | $150 | 130 min | 3 years |
| Associate | $300 | 120 min | 3 years | |
| Associate | $300 | 90 min | 3 years | |
| Associate | $300 | 90 min | 3 years | |
| Professional | - | 90 min | - | |
| Professional | - | 90 min | - |
About this exam
For Linux system administrators proving distribution-independent administration skills in a performance-based exam that simulates on-the-job tasks.
What the official page says
- Price: "1. Certification exam only – $445"
- Duration: "Duration of Exam 2 hours"
- Questions: "The exams consist of 17-20 performance-based tasks."
- 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