You can see it againUnder pressure people bring back shapes and positions long after the wording has gone.
Picture superiority · Shepard 1967, Standing 1973
LINUX FOUNDATIONCertified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification validates your ability to install, configure, and manage production-grade Kubernetes clusters. It is designed for Kubernetes administrators, cloud administrators, and IT professionals who manage Kubernetes instances. Earning the CKA proves you have the hands-on, command-line skills to operate Kubernetes in real-world environments, making you a recognized expert in the cloud-native ecosystem.
Exam formatPerformance-based (hands-on tasks on the command line)
Duration120 minutes
DeliveryLinux Foundation (via PSI Bridge proctoring platform)
Free questions653
Content last reviewed 30 July 2026 · Up to date
The certification
What Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) proves, and what it asks of you
What this certification covers, who it is written for, and what the exam itself looks like on the day.
5domains
27objectives
209concepts
$445exam fee
What it is
What this certification is
What it validates, who it is written for, and the experience it assumes.
Hands-on practical exam — no multiple-choice questions
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) is graded entirely on tasks you perform in a live environment, so there is no multiple-choice practice bank. To prepare: practice each objective hands-on in a real sandbox or lab; drill the key commands and workflows until they are second nature; work through timed task scenarios and verify your end state; and review the official documentation for every objective. The full objective breakdown is in the Curriculum tab.
About this certification
The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification, created by the Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), is the industry standard for validating Kubernetes administration skills. This performance-based exam requires you to solve multiple tasks from a command line running Kubernetes, demonstrating your ability to handle real-world operational challenges. It is globally recognized, vendor-neutral, and relevant across all industries, providing assurance that CKAs have the skills, knowledge, and competency to perform the responsibilities of a Kubernetes administrator.
Earning the CKA demonstrates your proficiency in key areas such as cluster architecture, installation, configuration, workloads, scheduling, services, networking, storage, and troubleshooting. The exam is designed to test your practical knowledge and problem-solving abilities, not just theoretical concepts. By achieving this certification, you join a community of skilled professionals who are driving the adoption of Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies, and you position yourself for career advancement and cross-industry opportunities.
Who it’s for
The CKA certification is for Kubernetes administrators, cloud administrators, and other IT professionals who manage Kubernetes instances. It is also valuable for DevOps engineers, site reliability engineers, and anyone responsible for the deployment, configuration, and maintenance of Kubernetes clusters in production environments. If you are comfortable working on the command line, have experience with Linux systems, and are looking to validate your hands-on Kubernetes skills, this certification is designed for you. It is ideal for those who want to demonstrate their ability to perform basic installation, configure and manage production-grade Kubernetes clusters, and troubleshoot common issues.
Recommended experience
While there are no mandatory prerequisites, the Linux Foundation recommends that candidates have some experience with Linux administration and Kubernetes concepts. Familiarity with the command line and basic YAML is essential for success. Experience with Linux command-line tools and shell scripting; Understanding of basic Kubernetes concepts such as pods, services, and deployments; Familiarity with YAML configuration files; Hands-on experience with containerization technologies like Docker
The syllabus
What you’ll learn
Every domain and objective Linux Foundation measures, with the weight they carry on the exam.
The official Linux Foundation exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
Storage
- Implement storage classes and dynamic volume provisioning
- Configure volume types, access modes and reclaim policies
- Manage persistent volumes and persistent volume claims
Troubleshooting
- Troubleshoot clusters and nodes
- Troubleshoot cluster components
- Monitor cluster and application resource usage
- Manage and evaluate container output streams
- Troubleshoot services and networking
Workloads and Scheduling
- Understand application deployments and how to perform rolling update and rollbacks
- Use ConfigMaps and Secrets to configure applications
- Configure workload autoscaling
- Understand the primitives used to create robust, self-healing, application deployments
- Configure Pod admission and scheduling (limits, node affinity, etc.)
Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration
- Manage role based access control (RBAC)
- Prepare underlying infrastructure for installing a Kubernetes cluster
- Create and manage Kubernetes clusters using kubeadm
- Manage the lifecycle of Kubernetes clusters
- Implement and configure a highly-available control plane
- Use Helm and Kustomize to install cluster components
- Understand extension interfaces (CNI, CSI, CRI, etc.)
- Understand CRDs, install and configure operators
Servicing and Networking
- Understand connectivity between Pods
- Define and enforce Network Policies
- Use ClusterIP, NodePort, LoadBalancer service types and endpoints
- Use the Gateway API to manage Ingress traffic
- Know how to use Ingress controllers and Ingress resources
- Understand and use CoreDNS
On the day
The exam itself
Everything Linux Foundation publishes about sitting it, and nothing we inferred.
Prerequisites
No mandatory prerequisites — this certification has no required predecessor exam or credential.
CertificationCertified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Exam formatPerformance-based (hands-on tasks on the command line)
Duration120 minutes
Questions15–20 performance-based tasks
DeliveryLinux Foundation (via PSI Bridge proctoring platform)
LanguagesEnglish, Japanese
Pricing$445
After you pass
Where this credential goes next
The path Linux Foundation lays out, how the credential is kept, and where to book.
Step-by-step path to Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Credential earnedCertified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) Certification Renewal and maintenance
The CKA certification is valid for two years. To renew, you must pass the current version of the CKA exam before your certification expires. Stay current with the latest technologies and maintain your certification.
Learn more about renewal requirements Lifecycle status
This certification is currently active and available. Linux Foundation maintains this certification to validate current skills and industry relevance.
Exam status: ActiveMaintained by Linux Foundation
Exam registration
Register for the exam through Linux Foundation (via PSI Bridge proctoring platform), Linux Foundation’s authorized testing partner.
Schedule your examVisit the official Linux Foundation certification page for exam policies and requirements.
View the official pageYour coach
And when you are serious, your coach Pip takes over
Your coach in the app reads what you have answered with the book closed and tells you one thing to do tonight. It will not count an answer you gave with the page open, and it will tell you when you are not ready.
See how the coach worksBefore you book
Questions people ask
How does the CKA exam relate to the CKAD and CKS certifications?
The CKA is a prerequisite for the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam. You must have passed the CKA exam before attempting CKS. The CKA and CKAD are separate certifications; you can take them in any order, but CKS requires CKA.
Is there a hands-on lab component in the CKA exam?
Yes, the CKA exam is entirely performance-based. You are required to solve multiple tasks from a command line running Kubernetes, simulating real-world administrative scenarios.
What is the retake policy for the CKA exam?
The CKA exam includes two exam attempts. If you fail the first attempt, you can retake the exam once more within the 12-month eligibility period. There is no waiting period specified between attempts, but you must use your second attempt within the 12-month window.
How soon will I receive my CKA exam results?
Results are emailed 24 hours from the time the exam is completed.
What job roles does the CKA certification map to?
The CKA certification is designed for Kubernetes administrators, cloud administrators, DevOps engineers, site reliability engineers, and other IT professionals who manage Kubernetes instances.
Can I recertify by passing a different exam?
No, the CKA certification must be renewed by passing the current version of the CKA exam. Passing other exams like CKAD or CKS does not renew the CKA.
Are there any regional restrictions for taking the CKA exam?
The CKA exam is available globally as an online proctored exam. However, persons subject to US sanctions prohibitions may not participate in LF Education programs.
What are the system requirements for the online proctored CKA exam?
You need a computer with a supported OS, a webcam, microphone, and reliable internet access. Dual monitors are not supported, and you cannot use a virtual machine. You must be able to install the PSI Secure Browser.
Information freshness · Content last reviewed on 2026-07-30 Up to date
Practice free questions 653 questions, free, no account needed.
The curriculum
The whole exam, mapped and written
Every domain, every objective, and every concept Linux Foundation measures — each one written out.
5domains
27objectives
209concepts
143free pages
The domains, and what sits inside them
Every objective below is a page you can open and practise now, without an account.
The official Linux Foundation exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
1Storage74 questions
2Troubleshooting116 questions
Troubleshoot clusters and nodes8 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Troubleshoot cluster components6 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Monitor cluster and application resource usage4 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Manage and evaluate container output streams8 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Troubleshoot services and networking8 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
3Workloads and Scheduling139 questions
Understand application deployments and how to perform rolling update and rollbacks8 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Use ConfigMaps and Secrets to configure applications9 concepts · 8 pagesOpen →Configure workload autoscaling6 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Understand the primitives used to create robust, self-healing, application deployments10 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Configure Pod admission and scheduling (limits, node affinity, etc.)10 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →
4Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration194 questions
Manage role based access control (RBAC)6 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Prepare underlying infrastructure for installing a Kubernetes cluster8 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Create and manage Kubernetes clusters using kubeadm10 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Manage the lifecycle of Kubernetes clusters7 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Implement and configure a highly-available control plane8 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Use Helm and Kustomize to install cluster components10 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Understand extension interfaces (CNI, CSI, CRI, etc.)4 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Understand CRDs, install and configure operators7 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →
5Servicing and Networking130 questions
Understand connectivity between Pods8 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Define and enforce Network Policies7 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Use ClusterIP, NodePort, LoadBalancer service types and endpoints7 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Use the Gateway API to manage Ingress traffic8 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Know how to use Ingress controllers and Ingress resources10 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Understand and use CoreDNS6 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
Not a table of contents
Every line on this map already opens
In front of every objective the practice pages are already there, free and without an account. This is one objective, opened.
Implement storage classes and dynamic volume provisioning5 pagesOpen →
Free in front of it
25 questions on this objective, five to a page. Every range above is a real page, open now, with no account.
Reading the map is not the same as knowing the ground
The curriculum tells you what is on the exam. Proving you know it is a different job — and it is the one the closed-book run does.
Free questions
653 questions. No account, no card.
The whole bank is open. 5 questions to a page, every answer explained, and a discussion thread on each one.
653questions
143pages
27objectives
Freealways
Browse by domain
Every objective, and every page range, is a link — so you can pick up exactly where you left off.
1Storage74 questions
2Troubleshooting116 questions
3Workloads and Scheduling139 questions
4Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration194 questions
What a practice page gives you
1Five to a page
Short enough to finish, long enough to matter.
2Every answer explained
Not only which one is right — why the others are wrong.
3A discussion on each
Ask, answer, and vote. Every question has its own thread.
A question, and the idea behind it
Every question comes from a concept
These are not trivia. Each one is written against a concept in the book, so when you get one wrong there is somewhere to go and find out why.
The visual book
See it once. Carry it into the exam.
The pages shown here come from our AI-900 book — an example of how each concept is written in plain language and, where the idea needs one, drawn as a full page you can take in at a glance.
209concepts
653free questions
Why a picture, and not another paragraph
Three reasons, and each one is a real finding rather than a slogan.
You can see it againThe whole idea at onceWhere it starts, what happens in the middle, what comes out, and the mistake to avoid.
Multimedia principle · MayerThe look-alikes sit togetherThe pairs the exam tests are drawn side by side, so the difference is seen, not told.
Dual coding · PaivioWhat one page is made of
You are never asked to read a poster here — only to see how one is built. After that, every other page is legible at a glance.
1A numbered strip on top
The idea as a sequence, followed with a finger before a word is read.
2Panels for the parts
What it is, how the machine learns it, when it is the right tool.
3The trap, framed
The distinction the exam tests, given its own box instead of buried in prose.
4One line at the bottom
The sentence to carry into the exam room.
Open book, on purpose
Answer it with the picture beside you
This is the part that teaches. The illustration and the written explanation stay where they are while you work, so a scenario stops being a memory test and becomes something you can simply look at.
It teaches · it does not count
A smartphone uses AI to unlock when the owner looks at the camera. Which AI capability is being used?
AImage classification
BFacial recognition
COptical character recognition
DObject detection
Look at the five steps. Detect finds a face, align straightens it, encode turns it into numbers, search compares it with a stored face, and decide answers one question: is this the same person? Classification would only say “a face”. Detection would only draw a box. Neither decides whose.
Then the page shuts, and it starts counting
The same questions come back with the book closed — that run is the one that counts. After it, your coach picks one thing for tonight, sized to the time you have, and brings pages back before you lose them.
Testing effect · Roediger & Karpicke 2006 · spacing effect · Cepeda et al. 2006
Official resources
Straight from Linux Foundation
Where the exam is defined, scheduled and scored.
5official links
209concepts mapped
The source
Linux Foundation’s own pages
We link to them rather than repeat them, so nothing here goes stale behind them.
Checked against the source
Every objective on the official Linux Foundation outline already has questions here
We build from the official skills outline, not from a summary of it — 27 objectives, 209 concepts written under them, and free questions against every one. When Linux Foundation changes the outline, this page changes with it.
27objectives on the outline→209concepts written→653free questions
An official page tells you what will be asked. It cannot tell you what you will get right.
That is the only question worth answering the night before, and no link answers it. You answer it by taking the questions with the book closed, and seeing what comes back.