The Ultimate Guide to LPI Certifications - Overview

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) is a nonprofit organization based in Toronto, Canada that increases the use of Linux, open source and free software. One way in which the organization furthers its mission is to give vendor-neutral Linux certifications to IT professionals around the globe. With "more than 500,000 exams delivered" to candidates LPI stakes a claim as “the world’s first and largest vendor-neutral Linux and open source certification body.”

LPI Certification Overview

The LPI certification program is simple. It includes three certifications that make on one another:

◈ LPIC-1: Linux Administrator — the Entry-level accreditation that recognizes individuals who can install and configure a workstation running Linux, maintain the system from the command line and set a primary network
◈ LPIC-2: Linux Engineer — Mid-level certification designed for professionals who administer small- to medium-sized mixed networks
◈ LPIC-3: Linux Enterprise Professional — the Senior-level accreditation that identifies Linux professionals who plan, conceptualize, design, implement and troubleshoot Linux installations in enterprise environments

LPI Linux Essentials

◈ What: Ability to use basic console line editor and demonstrate an understanding of processes, programs and components of the Linux Operating System.

◈ How: Pass the LPI 010 exam; 40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes.

◈ Cost: $110 USD (1 exam, certificate does not expire). Price may vary per region. Learn More

LPIC-OT 701: DevOps Tools Engineer

◈ What: Have a working knowledge of DevOps-related domains such as Software Engineering and Architecture, Container and Machine Deployment, Configuration Management and Monitoring.

◈ How: Pass LPI 701 exam; 60 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions in 90 minutes.

◈ Cost: $200 USD (1 exam, certification valid for 5 years). Price may vary per region. Learn More

LPIC-1 Certified Linux Administrator

◈ What: Ability to perform maintenance tasks with the command line, install and configure a computer running Linux and be able to configure basic networking.

◈ How: Pass LPI 101 and 102 exams; each exam is 60 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions in 90 minutes.

◈ Cost: $200 USD per exam (2 exams, certification valid for 5 years). Price may vary per region. Learn More

LPIC-2 Certified Linux Engineer

◈ What: Ability to administer small to medium–sized mixed networks.

◈ How: Pass LPI 201 and 202 exams; each exam is 60 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions in 90 minutes. Must also have active LPIC-1 certification.

◈ Cost: $200 USD per exam (2 exams, certification valid for 5 years). Price may vary per region. Learn More

LPIC-3 300: Linux Enterprise Professional Mixed Environment

◈ What: Ability to integrate Linux services in an enterprise-wide mixed environment.

◈ How: Pass LPI 300 exam; 60 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions in 90 minutes. Must also have active LPIC-2 certification.

◈ Cost: $200 USD (1 exam, certification valid for 5 years). Price may vary per region. Learn More

LPIC-3 303: Linux Enterprise Professional Security

◈ What: Ability to secure and harden Linux-based servers, services and networks enterprise-wide.

◈ How: Pass LPI 303 exam; 60 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions in 90 minutes. Must also have active LPIC-2 certification.

◈ Cost: $200 USD (1 exam, certification valid for 5 years). Price may vary per region. Learn More

LPIC-3 304: Linux Enterprise Professional Virtualization and High Availability

◈ What: Ability to plan and implement enterprise-wide virtualization and high availability setups using Linux-based technologies.

◈ How: Pass LPI 304 exam; 60 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions in 90 minutes. Must also have active LPIC-2 certification.

◈ Cost: $200 USD (1 exam, certification valid for 5 years). Price may vary per region. Learn More