DevOps Engineer Certification Path: A Reviewed Route from Linux Administration to Cloud-Scale Automation

Linux, infrastructure as code, containers, and a professional cloud credential

DevOps work sits between systems administration and software delivery, and the certification choices reflect that. This reviewed route is for administrators, developers, and support engineers making the move, ordering Linux, automation, containers, and cloud credentials and flagging where one credential formally depends on another.

Switch careersRole: DevOps Engineer All paths

Key takeaways

01
Linux and container credentials carry across employers, while the final step is platform-specific and should follow the cloud your team runs.
02
The Azure DevOps expert credential formally requires an Azure associate credential, so take the Azure administrator credential in the cloud step if you may go that way.
03
Hands-on command-line exams in the Linux and Kubernetes steps test practical skill more directly than the multiple-choice cloud exams.
04
Most credentials in this route expire, so plan upkeep and avoid collecting more than you will use.

Who it is for

System administrators who want to automate, developers who want to own deployment and operations, and support engineers moving toward platform and delivery work.

The goal

Be able to build and operate automated delivery pipelines and infrastructure on Linux and a major cloud platform, using infrastructure as code and containers.

Maybe not for you

People who want a pure cloud architecture track are usually better served by the cloud engineer pathway.

Where to start

Where to start on the DevOps Engineer path depending on your current skills

Start with the Linux foundation if the command line is new to you. If you already administer Linux, begin with infrastructure as code and containers, and if you already automate and run containers, move to the cloud associate for your platform and then the professional credential.

Where are you starting?

Choose your background. We mark where to begin and fold away steps people with your experience usually skip.

The route

The route from Linux administration to cloud DevOps credentials

The route builds the skills DevOps teams ask for in order: Linux, infrastructure as code and Kubernetes, a cloud platform, and a professional DevOps credential. Hands-on command-line exams in the first half are flagged so you know what each step demands.

1
Step 1Pick oneNew to the field
Learn Linux and IT fundamentals
Get comfortable with the Linux command line, files, users, and the basic concepts of IT infrastructure. Both options are introductions rather than administration credentials.
These are real alternatives for the same goal. Choose the one that fits.
2 options
- Linux Professional Institute
  Linux Essentials
  Level
  Foundational
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  20-45h
  Listed from
  $120
  View details
- The Linux Foundation
  Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate
  Level
  Foundational
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  25-45h
  Listed from
  $250
  View details
How to choose
Linux Essentials focuses on Linux and open source itself and does not expire. The Linux Foundation IT associate is broader, covering cloud, security, and delivery concepts as well as Linux, and needs renewing.
You can skip this step if
Suggested skip if you already work comfortably on the Linux command line.
After this step you can
- Work comfortably on the Linux command line with files, users, and processes
- Describe core infrastructure, security, and delivery concepts at a high level
2
Step 2Pick oneSome experience
Administer Linux systems
Learn to install, configure, secure, and troubleshoot Linux systems. Administration skills underpin container hosts, build servers, and cloud instances.
These are real alternatives for the same goal. Choose the one that fits.
3 options
- Red Hat
  Red Hat Certified System Administrator
  Level
  Associate
  Assessment
  Practical
  Study time
  80-130h
  View details
- The Linux Foundation
  Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator
  Level
  Professional
  Assessment
  Practical
  Study time
  70-120h
  Listed from
  $445
  View details
- Linux Professional Institute
  LPIC-1: Linux Administrator
  Level
  Associate
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  120-220h
  Listed from
  $200
  View details
How to choose
Red Hat's credential and the Linux Foundation's credential are both hands-on command-line exams. The Red Hat one is specific to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, while the Linux Foundation one is distribution-independent. LPIC-1 is vendor-neutral and knowledge-based rather than hands-on.
After this step you can
- Install, configure, and secure Linux servers and services
- Manage storage, networking, users, and permissions reliably
- Troubleshoot boot, service, and performance problems from the command line
3
Step 3Pick any that fitExperienced
Automate infrastructure and run containers
Describe infrastructure as code and operate Kubernetes. This step is where the work starts to look like DevOps rather than systems administration.
Each option adds something different. Take the ones that match your work.
4 options
- HashiCorp
  HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate (004)
  Level
  Associate
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  40-70h
  Listed from
  $70.50
  View details
- The Linux Foundation
  Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate
  Level
  Foundational
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  25-45h
  Listed from
  $250
  View details
- The Linux Foundation
  Certified Kubernetes Administrator
  Level
  Professional
  Assessment
  Practical
  Study time
  70-120h
  Listed from
  $445
  View details
- The Linux Foundation
  Certified Kubernetes Application Developer
  Level
  Professional
  Assessment
  Practical
  Study time
  60-110h
  Listed from
  $445
  View details
How to choose
Terraform Associate covers infrastructure as code in a knowledge-based exam. The Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate is a conceptual introduction. Certified Kubernetes Administrator suits people who run clusters, and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer suits people who build and deploy applications on them.
You can skip this step if
Suggested skip for parts you already do daily, but keep at least one hands-on credential in the route.
After this step you can
- Define and manage infrastructure with code instead of manual steps
- Explain how Kubernetes runs, scales, and heals containerized applications
- Deploy and troubleshoot workloads on a cluster from the command line
4
Step 4Pick one
Add a cloud platform
Learn one public cloud well enough to deploy and operate workloads on it. Pick the platform you expect to run pipelines on.
These are real alternatives for the same goal. Choose the one that fits.
4 options
- Amazon Web Services
  AWS Certified Developer - Associate
  Level
  Associate
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  50-100h
  Listed from
  $150
  View details
- Amazon Web Services
  AWS Certified CloudOps Engineer - Associate
  Level
  Associate
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  50-100h
  Listed from
  $150
  View details
- Microsoft
  Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
  Level
  Associate
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  40-80h
  Listed from
  $165
  View details
- Google Cloud
  Associate Cloud Engineer
  Level
  Associate
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  40-80h
  Listed from
  $125
  View details
How to choose
Choose the AWS developer or operations credential, the Azure administrator credential, or the Google Cloud associate engineer credential. The Azure DevOps expert credential in the next step requires an Azure associate credential, and the administrator credential is the one offered here.
After this step you can
- Deploy and operate applications on one cloud using its native services
- Apply the platform's identity, networking, and monitoring basics
5
Step 5Pick one
Prove cloud DevOps skills at professional level
Demonstrate that you can design and operate delivery pipelines, automation, monitoring, and recovery on one cloud. These professional-level credentials assume real production experience.
These are real alternatives for the same goal. Choose the one that fits.
3 options
- Amazon Web Services
  AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional
  Level
  Professional
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  100-180h
  Listed from
  $300
  View details
- Microsoft
  Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
  Level
  Expert
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  80-160h
  Listed from
  $165
  Requires Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate first
  View details
- Google Cloud
  Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer
  Level
  Professional
  Assessment
  Written
  Study time
  80-140h
  Listed from
  $200
  View details
How to choose
Stay on the platform from the previous step. The AWS and Google Cloud professional credentials have no formal prerequisite, while the Azure DevOps expert credential requires an Azure associate credential, so it is reachable only through the Azure option in the previous step.
After this step you can
- Design and operate continuous delivery pipelines on a major cloud platform
- Automate infrastructure, monitoring, and incident response at scale
- Plan resilient, secure, and observable delivery for production systems

Effort and upkeep

What this path asks of you

Steps: Steps
5
Certifications on the reference route: Certifications on the reference route
5
Study effort: Study effort
290-525h
Exam fees: Exam fees
$640.50

Reference route estimates use the recommended option at each required step and come from the structured certification records. Prices and study time change and vary by region, so confirm with the provider. Last reviewed: Oct 22, 2026

Effort and upkeep

The Linux administration and Kubernetes credentials take the most practice because they are hands-on. The foundation steps are light, and the professional step builds on the cloud associate with scenario-based questions about pipelines, automation, monitoring, and recovery.

Keeping it current

Several credentials here expire, and some renew through a short assessment rather than a full retake. Linux Foundation credentials can renew one another under the foundation's own rules, which can reduce the upkeep burden.

Where it leads

Where the DevOps Engineer path leads in platform and delivery work

The route prepares you for DevOps, platform engineering, and site reliability work and leaves room to specialize in cloud, security, or observability. The role page lists the connected skills, related certifications, and providers if you want to look beyond this route.

You come out ready for DevOps engineer, platform engineer, and site reliability roles, with room to specialize in cloud, security, or observability.

Explore the DevOps Engineer role

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Reviewed and editorial. Paths suggest an order; they do not replace the provider's own requirements.

Pick the path that matches the role you are aiming for

Open the path closest to your goal, check where your current experience places you, and follow the links to the certifications behind each step. If no path fits yet, search certifications directly and compare level, provider, and assessment style.

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