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345 exams · 26 vendors

Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) exam price, length, validity and renewal

CNCF · LFCS

Official page

Exam facts

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
Length120 min
Questions17 to 20 tasks
FormatPerformance-based tasks on a Linux command line, online proctored
Passing score67%
Valid for2 years
RenewalRetake and pass the certification exam before the certification expires.
PrerequisitesNone
LevelAssociate (CNCF calls it Intermediate)
DeliveryOnline proctored (PSI Bridge secure browser)
LanguagesEnglish, German, Japanese, Simplified Chinese (Japanese and Chinese via separate exam versions)
Sourcetraining.linuxfoundation.org/certification/linux-foundation-certified-sysadmin-lfcs/Last checked Nov 13, 2026

Changes

AddedLinux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)Added by research; values read on the official pageOfficial page ↗

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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
Also read: docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/instructions-lfcs-and-lfce, training.linuxfoundation.org/about/faqs/certification-faq/, docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/lf-handbook2/language