Red Hat Certified System Administrator credential artwork

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) (EX200)

Validates practical skills in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux, including software, storage, file systems, networking, users and security.

Summary

RHCSA is Red Hat's core Linux administration certification. Its hands-on exam gives you live Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems and a list of tasks to complete, and your changes must still work after a reboot.

Good fit if

  • You use the Linux command line and want proof of core skills
  • Your target jobs name RHCSA or Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • You plan to continue to RHCE

Look elsewhere if

  • You have never used a Linux terminal: start with Linux fundamentals or CompTIA A+
  • You want a cheaper, vendor-neutral exam: CompTIA Linux+
  • Your target work is Kubernetes clusters: CKA once you know basic Linux

Salary & jobs

Prerequisites

No required prerequisites. Anyone 18 or older can book the exam.

RH124 and RH134, or RH199

Recommended

Red Hat recommends its two system administration courses, the combined RH199 Rapid Track, or comparable hands-on RHEL experience.

Cost

USD · US pricing
$500
One free retake if you fail your first attempt on an individual exam purchase.

What holders say

Matters most where employers name Red Hat

Candidates report recruiters asking specifically about Red Hat, not just Linux. One candidate lost out on Red Hat roles to someone holding RHCSA despite having other Linux and Kubernetes certifications.

r/redhatReddit: Just get RHCSA

Renewal

RHCSA stays current for 3 years from the day you pass.

Validity
3 years
Renewal requirement
Pass a qualifying Red Hat exam
Continuing education
Not accepted

Retake EX200, earn another Level 2 certification such as Red Hat Certified System Administrator in OpenShift, or move up to RHCE in Enterprise Linux (EX342) or RHCE in Ansible (EX294). Each of these renews all your current Red Hat certifications.

Red Hat certification renewal ↗

Alternatives

CompTIA Linux+ credential artwork
Linux+$399 required · Intermediate

Vendor-neutral Linux certification across distributions, with a multiple-choice and performance-based exam.

Certified Kubernetes Administrator credential artwork
CKA$445 required · Intermediate

Hands-on Kubernetes administration, a common next step once you are fluent in Linux.

Cisco Certified Network Associate credential artwork
CCNA$300 required · Intermediate

Cisco networking if you want infrastructure work on the network side instead of servers.

FAQ

Is the RHCSA exam multiple choice?

No. EX200 is entirely hands-on: you configure live RHEL systems, and your work must survive a reboot to count.

How much does the RHCSA exam cost?

$500 in the US. Prices vary by country. If you fail your first attempt on an individual exam purchase, the retake is free.

What is the RHCSA passing score?

210 out of 300 points. Your result email also breaks your score down by objective.

Which RHEL version is RHCSA based on?

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.

How long is RHCSA valid?

3 years. Retaking EX200, earning another Level 2 Red Hat certification or earning an RHCE renews it.

What is the difference between RHCSA and RHCE?

RHCSA is Red Hat's Level 2 administrator certification. Since May 2026, RHCE is earned per track: hold RHCSA and pass EX342 for RHCE in Enterprise Linux, or EX294 for RHCE in Ansible.

Last updated October 2026