RHCSARed Hat Certified System Administrator
The gold standard for Linux administration in enterprise environments
Exam details independently verified January 2026
About this certification
The RHCSA (EX200) is a performance-based exam that tests real-world Red Hat Enterprise Linux administration skills — there are no multiple-choice questions. Candidates must complete tasks on a live system within 3.5 hours. It's widely required by government agencies and enterprises running Red Hat infrastructure.
What you'll validate
- ✓File system management
- ✓User and group administration
- ✓SELinux configuration
- ✓Network configuration
- ✓Boot process and systemd
- ✓Storage management (LVM, partitions)
- ✓Containers with Podman
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Performance-based — proves real skills, not memorization
- +Highly respected by government and enterprise employers
- +Required for many DoD Linux roles
- +Gateway to RHCE and RHCA
Disadvantages
- −Red Hat-specific (not distro-neutral)
- −Exam is demanding — no hints or documentation
- −Higher cost than CompTIA Linux+
Who it's for
Best for
- →Linux admins in RHEL enterprise environments
- →Government and defense sector IT professionals
- →Those targeting senior Linux or DevOps roles
Not ideal for
- ×Beginners with no Linux experience
- ×Those in non-RHEL environments
Career paths this unlocks
Study Resources
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Register for the exam
Schedule directly with Red Hat — no third-party resellers
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Jobs for RHCSA holders
RHCSA holders report $10k–$30k+ salary uplift on average.
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Quick Facts
- Exam Cost
- $400
- Exam Duration
- 210 minutes
- Exam Format
- Performance-Based (hands-on)
- Study Time
- ~150 hours
- Validity
- 3 years
- Salary Impact
- Strong ($10k–$30k+ uplift reported)
- Last Verified
- January 2026
Prerequisites
- !Strong Linux fundamentals; Red Hat System Administration I & II recommended
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