RHCSA

RHCSA stands for Red Hat Certified System Administrator. It is the foundational Linux certification offered by Red Hat, designed to validate practical skills in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. The credential targets IT professionals who install, configure, and maintain Linux-based environments in enterprise contexts. It emphasizes the day-to-day tasks a system administrator is expected to perform on a RHEL system.

The certification is earned by passing a hands-on, performance-based exam with the code EX200. The exam is proctored and conducted in a timed session, typically lasting about three hours. Instead of multiple-choice questions, candidates must complete real-world tasks on a live system to demonstrate competence in core administration activities.

Topics covered by the RHCSA exam include essential command-line usage, user and group management, file system organization and permissions, package installation and updates, system startup and service management, basic networking, firewall and SELinux basics, and routine maintenance such as scheduled jobs and log review. The scope focuses on practical abilities to configure and manage a functional RHEL environment and to document actions taken during the process.

Certification and renewal: there are no formal prerequisites, though practical Linux experience is beneficial. RHCSA credentials are valid for three years, after which recertification is required to maintain active status. Recertification is typically achieved by passing the current version of the RHCSA exam (or an equivalent higher-level Red Hat certification). The RHCSA is commonly regarded as the initial step in Red Hat’s Linux certification track, with higher certifications such as RHCE building on the same foundational skills.