DevOps Certification is a highly sought DevOps is a highly sought-after software and IT practice which combines IT operations with software development. It began as a movement in 2007 to reform the traditional software development model and combine IT operations. It is now soaring high in demand as companies look out for people with DevOps certifications.
Making the right choice while opting for a DevOps certification can make your IT career by helping you gain insights into important DevOps skills. DevOps Certifications are just as essential for professionals as for beginners. Let us explore the top 10 DevOps certifications to enable you to make the best choice;)
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Top 10 DevOps Certification List 2025 Programs: An Overview
Here is a quick overview of the most remarkable DevOps certifications to build a successful career in 2025
| Certification Name | Instructor | Program Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) | The Linux Foundation | USD 395 |
| AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional | Amazon Web Services (AWS) | USD 300 |
| Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer | Google Cloud | USD 200 |
| Docker Certified Associate (DCA) | Mirantis Training | USD 195 |
| Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) | The Linux Foundation | USD 395 (exam only) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert | Microsoft | USD 165 |
| Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) | The Linux Foundation | USD 395 |
| HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate | HashiCorp | USD 70.50 |
| Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration | Red Hat | Varies |
| Puppet Certified Professional | Puppet | Varies |
About the Best DevOps Certifications List 2025
Besides knowledge of various DevOps Certifications available, it is important to have a detailed analysis of these programs based on what they have to offer, how and where they are conducted, and their efficiency. This enhances the chances of opting for a suitable DevOps certification program in 2025 which would yield a successful career boost!
1. Linux Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
The Linux Foundation provides a vendor-neutral, globally recognized and industry-relevant certified Kubernetes administrator program. It has remained among the most sought-after DevOps certification programs in 2023 and 2024. Resultingly, the CKA is the best place to start your DevOps certification journey or simply to gain expertise in Kubernetes.
Kubernetes is a container orchestration, open-source tool used for the automation of scaling, deployment and management of container applications. The CKA program provides two exam attempts and access to two simulation stages with a twelve-month time to schedule the exam including hands-on practical labs with 17 questions.
CKA DevOps Certification Fee: USD 395 for exam only (USD 595 for exam and thrive subscription)
Mode and Language of the DevOps Certification Exam: Online Proctored, Language: English
CKA DevOps Certification Exam Duration: 2 hours (Expiry in 2 years)
2. AWS DevOps Engineer Professional Certification
Amazon Web Services offers a professional DevOps certification for expertise in the provision, operation and management of distributed web application systems on the platform of AWS Job listings with a requirement of AWS DevOps certification had shown a tremendous boost of 52% between 2021-22.
AWS DevOps Certification Fee: USD 300
Mode and Level of the DevOps Certification Exam: Online Proctored or at Pearson VUE testing centre, Level: Professional
AWS DevOps Certification Exam Duration: 3 hours (75 questions)
3. Professional (Google) Cloud DevOps Engineer Certification
Google Cloud offers a professional DevOps Engineer Certification analysing the implementing abilities via the development lifecycle, especially the use of Google Cloud to build software pipelines and more.
Google Cloud DevOps Certification Fee: USD 200
Mode and Language of the DevOps Certification Exam: Online Proctored or at a testing centre, Language: English and Japanese
Google Cloud DevOps Certification Exam Duration: 2 hours (about 50 to 60 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions)
4. Docker Certified Associate (DCA)
Mirantis Training offers a Docker-certified associate digital certification for container specialisation. It is the best beginner DevOps certification for container deployment as Docker is considered the de-facto standard for it. The exam results are immediately accessible after taking the certification exam.
DCA DevOps Certification Fee: USD 199
Mode and Language of the DevOps Certification Exam: Online Proctored, Language: English
DCA DevOps Certification Exam Duration and Format: 90 minutes (Expiry in 2 years), Format: 13 multiple choice questions (MCQ) and 42 DOMC (discrete option multiple choice).
5. Linux Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
The Linux Foundation provides a globally recognised, industry-relevant and vendor-neutral DevOps certification with expertise in Kubernetes and cloud-native development skills.
The CKAD program offers two simulation attempts, two attempts for the exam and a twelve-month time to schedule the exam with hands-on practical labs involving 19 questions.
CKAD DevOps Certification Exam Fee: USD 395 for the certification exam only;
USD 595 (for exam and THRIVE subscription)
Mode and Language of the DevOps Certification Exam: Online Proctored, Language: English
CKAD DevOps Certification Exam Duration: 2 hours (Expiry in 2 years)
6. Linux Istio Certified Associate (ICA)
The Linux Foundation offers a service mesh-based certification called the Istio Certified Associate with specialisation in terminology, principles and best practices of Istio.
ICA DevOps Certification Fee: USD 250 for the exam only (USD 299 for the Istio course and exam)
Mode and Language of the DevOps Certification Exam: Online Proctored, Language: English
ICA DevOps Certification Exam Duration and Format: 2 hours (Expiry in 3 years) Format: MCQs.
7. Linux Prometheus Certified Associate (PCA)
The Linux Foundation Prometheus Certfies Associate (PCA) exam tests a candidate’s knowledge about observability, open source monitoring systems, altering toolkits and skills of Prometheus.
This DevOps certification exam allows one retake only with an exam eligibility of 12 months.
PCA DevOps Certification Fee: USD 250
Mode and Language of the DevOps Certification Exam: Online Proctored, Language: English
PCA DevOps Certification Exam Duration and Format: 90 minutes (Expiry in 3 years), Format: MCQs
8. Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert Certification
Microsoft Azure offers a DevOps engineer expert certification which measures important DevOps skills such as design and implementation of processes, azure DevOps solutions infrastructure such as CI and CD, configuration management and feedback.
MS DevOps Certification Fee: USD 165 per exam (May have regional price variations.)
Mode and Level of the DevOps Certification Exam:
Online Proctored, Level: Expert
MS DevOps Certification Exam Duration and Format:
Varies (Generally around 150 minutes per exam for MCQ (multiple choice questions), multiple response questions and scenario-based questions.)
9. Linux Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
The Linux Foundation DevOps Certifications offers a specialised certification in Kubernetes security. However, you must possess the CKA (certified Kubernetes administrator) certification to appear for this DevOps certification exam.
The CKS exam offers two simulation attempts, two retakes for the exam and a twelve-month time to schedule the exam.
CKS DevOps Certification Fee: USD 395 (for exam only)
USD 595 (for exam and THRIVE subscription)
Mode and Language of the DevOps Certification Exam: Online Proctored, Language: English
CKS DevOps Certification Exam Duration: 2 hours (Expiry in 2 years)
10. HashiCorp Terraform Associate Certfification
Within its infrastructure automation certifications, HashiCorp Developer offers the Terraform Associate certificate for cloud engineers with specialisation in information technology, operations, development and Terraform skills. Terraform certification is the best to have in the field of cloud automation.
Candidates must score at least 70% to pass and receive the certification.
HashiCorp DevOps Certification Fee: USD 70.50
Mode and Language of the DevOps Certification Exam: Online Proctored, Language: English
HashiCorp DevOps Certification Exam Duration and Format: 1 hour (Expiry in 2 years), Format: 70 Multiple Choice Questions.
DevOps Certification List FAQ
Q1. What are the benefits of DevOps Certification?
Ans: DevOps Certification has numerous benefits. Some of these include:
1. Better and Enhanced Job Opportunities: Specialisation in cloud or DevOps tools opens the door to better job opportunities and enhances the chances of selection. Besides, it favours opportunities to bag high-paying jobs.
2. Practical experience: DevOps certifications are an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in understanding DevOps tools features, etc.
Q2. Are there any free DevOps certifications?
Ans: Yes. Though most DevOps certifications cost something, some DevOps certifications that test your skills for free, provide certification and cost nothing more than your time. These are:
1. Solo.io Istio Intermediate Certification: This free certification covers all the fundamentals of service mesh and tests your knowledge about the proper operationalization of Istio.
2. Tigera Certified Calico Operator (Level 1): Tigera is the developer of Calico. Calico is a plug-in for Kubernetes. The certification helps you gain insights about plugins of Kubernetes.
3. Codefresh GitOps with ArgoCD Certification: This certification is free and important as Gitops is highly sought after like Kubernetes for container orchestration and microservices.
Q3. What is the one certification that offers all DevOps skills?
Ans: There is not one certification that can offer a specialisation in all DevOps skills. Candidates must choose from the subfields of DevOps certfications. One shall begin with certifications of their domain and then move to other certifications if one wishes to expand DevOps expertise.
Q4. Which is the best DevOps certification?
Ans: Based on their demands in the industry, some of the best DevOps certifications are as follows:
1. Linux Certified Kubernetes Administartor (CKA)
2. Linux Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
3. AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certified DevOps Engineer
4. Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert Certification
HashiCorp Developer Certified Terraform Associate
