Red Hat Certified System Administrator
A hands-on Linux administration credential focused on essential Red Hat Enterprise Linux tasks such as users, storage, services, permissions, networking, and system operation.
Last verified: 2026-09-01
Overview
Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) validates practical Red Hat Enterprise Linux system administration skills. The current EX200 exam is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 and requires candidates to perform real administrative tasks involving command-line tools, software, shell scripting, running systems, storage, filesystems, services, networking, users, groups, and security. RHCSA is also the foundational certification required for progression to several advanced Red Hat credentials.
- Recommended experience
- Red Hat recommends completing Red Hat System Administration I and II, the RHCSA Rapid Track course, or having comparable hands-on Red Hat Enterprise Linux system administration experience. Candidates should be able to complete the published EX200 tasks without assistance.
- Estimated study time
- 80–140 hours
- Target job roles
- Linux System AdministratorRed Hat System AdministratorSystems EngineerDevOps EngineerInfrastructure Administrator
Exam Details
Red Hat Certified System Administrator Exam
- Exam code
- EX200
- Number of exams
- 1
- Duration
- 180 minutes
- Question count
- Performance-based tasks; task count varies
- Delivery method
- Hands-on Red Hat exam; delivery options vary by location and region
- Price
- Varies by country, region, and delivery option
Skills and Domains
Understand and use essential tools
Verify with official provider.Use the shell, redirection, text processing, SSH, archives, files, links, permissions, and system documentation.
Manage software
Verify with official provider.Configure RPM and Flatpak repositories and install or remove software.
Create simple shell scripts
Verify with official provider.Use conditions, loops, positional input, and command output in shell scripts.
Operate running systems
Verify with official provider.Manage boot targets, processes, tuning, logs, services, and secure file transfer.
Configure local storage and file systems
Verify with official provider.Manage partitions, LVM, swap, local and network filesystems, autofs, and filesystem permissions.
Deploy, configure, and maintain systems
Verify with official provider.Schedule tasks, manage services and boot behavior, configure time services, update software, and modify the bootloader.
Manage basic networking
Verify with official provider.Configure IPv4 and IPv6, hostname resolution, network services, and firewall access.
Manage users and groups
Verify with official provider.Create and modify accounts, passwords, groups, memberships, and privileged access.
Manage security
Verify with official provider.Manage firewalld, SSH key authentication, default permissions, SELinux modes, contexts, ports, and booleans.
Study Resources
RHCSA Exam EX200
Official resourceOfficial Guide · Free
Official Red Hat EX200 exam objectives and exam information for the current RHEL 10 version.
View resourceRed Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
Official resourceDocumentation · Free
Official Red Hat RHCSA certification overview.
View resourceRed Hat Certification Renewal
Official resourceDocumentation · Free
Official Red Hat certification currency and renewal options.
View resourceRenewal
- Validity period
- Current for 3 years
- Renewal method
- Retake EX200, earn RHCE while RHCSA is current, or complete another eligible Red Hat certification pathway that extends RHCSA currency.
- Notes
- Red Hat describes certifications as current for three years rather than permanently expiring. Eligible higher-level certification activity can move the RHCSA non-current date forward.
Related Certifications
Recommended Before
Verify with official provider.
Recommended After
Verify with official provider.
Alternatives
Verify with official provider.
Specializations
Verify with official provider.
Keep exploring on ThirdBadge
Connect this certification to its broader technology area, career roadmaps, training, and study resources.
Explore certification categories
Browse focused certification guides by technology and career domain.