DevOps and Kubernetes certifications validate the skills that modern engineering teams depend on. CKA, CKAD, and CKS holders are among the most in-demand engineers in cloud-native and platform engineering roles.
Hands-on certs for engineers building and operating modern cloud-native systems at scale.
CNCF's hands-on Kubernetes administrator certification. Tests your ability to deploy, configure, and manage Kubernetes clusters in a live terminal environment. The primary cert for platform engineers and DevOps engineers working with Kubernetes.
Start Practice TestFocuses on building, deploying, and configuring applications on Kubernetes. Covers pod design, configuration, multi-container patterns, and observability. The right Kubernetes cert for application developers working in containerized environments.
Start Practice TestAdvanced Kubernetes security certification covering cluster hardening, supply chain security, monitoring, and threat detection. Requires a valid CKA first. The top credential for security-focused platform engineers.
Start Practice TestAWS's professional-level DevOps certification covering CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, monitoring, and high-availability deployments on AWS. Requires either SAA-C03 or SOA-C02 first. The top AWS cert for DevOps engineers.
Start Practice TestDevOps and Kubernetes certs are performance-based. Lab time is non-negotiable alongside theory study.
CKA, CKAD, and CKS are performance-based exams in a live terminal. You must be able to use kubectl fluently under time pressure. Set up a local cluster with kind or minikube and practice daily for at least 4-6 weeks before attempting the exam.
Your CNCF exam purchase includes two sessions of killer.sh — a harder-than-real-exam Kubernetes practice environment. Complete both sessions fully. Killer.sh is the single most valuable practice tool for CKA, CKAD, and CKS.
Speed is critical in performance-based exams. Set up your aliases and kubectl autocompletion on the first minute of the exam. Know dry-run, explain, and -o yaml flags by heart. Every saved minute is another question answered.
CNCF exams are purchased and registered through the Linux Foundation portal. You have 12 months to take the exam after purchase and one free retake included. Score 74% or higher to pass CKA and CKAD; 67% for CKS.
In-depth guides written for DevOps and Kubernetes exam candidates. Sign in to read.
Create a free account to access all DevOps and Kubernetes study articles and guides.
Unlock ArticlesCurated books used by thousands of candidates who passed. Affiliate links help support this site.
Take a free DevOps practice test to benchmark your current knowledge, then build a study plan focused on the hands-on skills that matter most.
