The Linux Foundation currently sells online certifications, certification-aligned courses and THRIVE-ONE subscriptions. For this site’s Linux-focused commercial territory, the most important active routes are LFCA and LFCS plus the CNCF/Linux Foundation cloud-native credentials KCNA, KCSA, CKA, CKAD and CKS.
LFCE is not an active certification: the Linux Foundation states that it was retired on May 1, 2022.
What Can You Buy From Linux Foundation Education?
Linux Foundation Education currently sells certification exams, certification-aligned course + exam bundles and certification + THRIVE-ONE options. The right route depends on whether you need only the exam, one focused course or broader annual learning access.
Certification exam
A credential exam purchased on its own. This is usually the lowest upfront route when you already have the skills.
Compare exam costs →Course + certification
A focused self-paced course paired with the related certification exam.
Compare online courses →Certification + THRIVE-ONE
A certification paired with an annual subscription to the broader e-learning catalog and SkillCreds.
Compare bundles →What Are the Current Linux and Kubernetes Certification Routes?
The main routes covered here are LFCA and LFCS for Linux/IT, plus KCNA, KCSA, CKA, CKAD and CKS for Kubernetes and cloud native. Current exam-only prices are $250 for the associate credentials and $445 for LFCS, CKA, CKAD and CKS.
| Route | Credential | Level / focus | Current exam-only price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux / IT foundations | LFCA | Associate, conceptual Linux / cloud / security foundations | $250 |
| Linux administration | LFCS | Intermediate, hands-on Linux administration | $445 |
| Cloud-native foundation | KCNA | Beginner / associate, conceptual cloud-native knowledge | $250 |
| Cloud-native security foundation | KCSA | Associate, conceptual Kubernetes / cloud-native security | $250 |
| Kubernetes administration | CKA | Intermediate, hands-on Kubernetes administration | $445 |
| Kubernetes development | CKAD | Intermediate, hands-on application development on Kubernetes | $445 |
| Kubernetes security | CKS | Intermediate security specialization; prior CKA pass required | $445 |
Prices checked 7 Sep 2026 against official Linux Foundation pages.
How Do the Linux Foundation and CNCF Differ?
The Linux Foundation operates the training and certification storefront used for these products. CNCF - the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, a Linux Foundation project - defines and maintains the Kubernetes/cloud-native certification programs such as CKA, CKAD, CKS and KCNA in collaboration with The Linux Foundation.
Do You Need the Official Linux Foundation Course?
Buying a Linux Foundation certification does not automatically mean you must buy its paired course. The exam pages offer exam-only purchases, and the certification-aligned course is presented as a separate bundle option. Your preparation can include official training, hands-on work, documentation and other legitimate study resources.
If you already perform the tested work confidently, exam-only may be enough. If you need a structured route, a focused course or a broader THRIVE subscription can reduce the amount of curriculum planning you need to do yourself.
What Happened to LFCE?
The Linux Foundation Certified Engineer (LFCE) exam is no longer active. The official retired-product page states that the exam was retired as of May 1, 2022. Treat pages that still quote LFCE prices or present it as a current purchase option as stale.
Frequently asked questions
Is Linux Foundation certification online?
The certifications covered here are currently delivered online. The exact format varies by credential: LFCS/CKA/CKAD/CKS are performance-based, while KCNA is multiple-choice.
Is a Linux Foundation course required before the exam?
Not for the credentials covered here unless an official prerequisite specifically says otherwise. The provider sells exam-only options separately from course bundles.
Is LFCE still a current Linux Foundation certification?
No. LFCE was retired May 1, 2022.
Sources checked
Current certification availability, prices, course routes and LFCE retirement status on this page were rechecked against the first-party sources below on 7 Sep 2026. Recheck the official product or policy page before purchase or exam day because changeable terms can move.
- Certification catalog - Linux Foundation
- LFCA certification - Linux Foundation
- LFCS certification - Linux Foundation
- KCNA certification - Linux Foundation
- KCSA certification - Linux Foundation
- CKA certification - Linux Foundation
- CKAD certification - Linux Foundation
- CKS certification - Linux Foundation
- THRIVE-ONE subscriptions - Linux Foundation
- LFCE retired notice - Linux Foundation
Last fact check: 7 Sep 2026