KUBERNETES CERTIFICATIONS & EXAM PREPARATION
KUBERNETES CERTIFICATIONS AT A GLANCE
KCNA and KCSA assess knowledge through multiple-choice questions. For CKAD, CKA and CKS, you complete practical tasks in a Kubernetes environment. You need all five credentials to become a Kubestronaut. Fees, validity periods and further exam details appear below with their source and check date.
FROM CONCEPTUAL KNOWLEDGE TO KUBESTRONAUT
For orientation: only CKA before CKS is mandatory
Demonstrate conceptual knowledge
KCNA for cloud native, KCSA for security basics, both with knowledge questions
Hands-on skills on a live cluster
CKAD for development, CKA for administration, both with practical tasks
Specialise in security
CKS tests security practice and requires a passed CKA
Kubestronaut status
Keep all five credentials valid at the same time. Not a step, but the outcome of the three stages.
Demonstrate conceptual knowledge
KCNA for cloud native, KCSA for security basics, both with knowledge questions
Hands-on skills on a live cluster
CKAD for development, CKA for administration, both with practical tasks
Specialise in security
CKS tests security practice and requires a passed CKA
Kubestronaut status
Keep all five credentials valid at the same time. Not a step, but the outcome of the three stages.
THE ROUTE TO GOLDEN KUBESTRONAUT
WHAT CREDENTIALS SHOW AND THEIR LIMITS
Certification makes sense when …
you need a vendor-neutral credential or want to structure your knowledge around a defined exam scope.
Certification may be unnecessary when …
you only need to solve a specific project task and do not need a formal credential. A workshop focused on that topic may be more direct.
THE ROUTE TO GOLDEN KUBESTRONAUT
These are the five exams at the start of the Kubestronaut route:
DevNinjas has a published preparation workshop for each of the five certifications.
The networking domain covers Cilium and hands-on work with Kubernetes networks:
You can request either preparation workshop as team training, but public dates are not yet available. CNCF has announced CKNE; its official launch is still pending.
The programme includes two knowledge-based exams for monitoring and telemetry:
Both preparation workshops are available as team training on request, but public dates are not yet bookable.
CAPA and CGOA approach cloud native software delivery from two directions:
Preparation for either exam is available as team training on request. Public dates are not yet available.
This domain ranges from policy and service mesh to internal developer platforms:
The preparation workshops are available as team training on request. Public dates have not yet been published.
LFCS is the Linux exam in the Golden Kubestronaut programme:
Our Linux fundamentals workshop is already published. Dedicated LFCS preparation is available as team training on request; public dates are not yet available.
EXAM FORMATS
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PROGRAMS
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EXAM LOGISTICS
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Still unsure which exam fits?
The finder asks about your work, Kubernetes experience and preferred exam format. It then gives you a recommendation with the reasons behind it.
THE FIVE EXAMS
KCNA is the entry point into cloud native. CKAD is for developers, while CKA is for people who operate clusters. Security has two levels: KCSA for foundations and CKS for hands-on work after passing CKA.
For admins and platform engineers
IntermediateSolid Kubernetes practice is expected. CKA or CKAD: CKA tests practical tasks in the cluster and focuses on cluster operations rather than application development; it is also the prerequisite for CKS.
Your learning path
Now: CKA Exam Preparation
Build clusters, operate workloads, troubleshoot networking and storage hands-on
Then: CKS Exam Preparation
Course code: DW7
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Compare audience, prerequisites, exam format and possible next steps at a glance. Fees and validity periods come from the official sources, with the check date shown alongside them.
THE GOLDEN KUBESTRONAUT INDEX
The index shows which exams belong to the programme and which preparation you can already book or request from us. CKNE is included for orientation but is not currently required.
KCNA and KCSA assess cloud native and security fundamentals. CKAD covers application development, CKA cluster operations and CKS practical Kubernetes security.
DW24KCNA Exam PreparationKnowledge questions span architecture, orchestration, observability, and application delivery2 daysDW25KCSA Exam PreparationCloud native security: cluster hardening, workload protection, threat models, supply chains, and compliance3 daysDW5CKAD Exam PreparationImplement pods, deployments, configuration, services, and observability in the cluster3 daysDW6CKA Exam PreparationBuild clusters, operate workloads, troubleshoot networking and storage hands-on4 daysDW7CKS Exam PreparationHarden clusters, secure supply chains, detect runtime threats, investigate incidents4 daysCCA assesses Cilium knowledge, while CKNE tests practical Kubernetes networking work. The CKNE beta is closed; general availability is pending.
DW39Preparation for the Cilium Certified Associate (CCA) ExamKnowledge questions cover eBPF, Cilium networking, policies, service mesh, observabilityRequestDW38Preparation for the Certified Kubernetes Network Engineer (CKNE) ExamConfigure CNI, services, DNS, traffic, network security, and observabilityRequestPCA covers Prometheus and working with metrics. OTCA assesses OpenTelemetry fundamentals and telemetry data.
DW41Preparation for the Prometheus Certified Associate (PCA) ExamPrometheus architecture: PromQL, instrumentation, service discovery, alerting, and monitoringRequest
DW40Preparation for the OpenTelemetry Certified Associate (OTCA) ExamInstrument telemetry, process signals through collectors, export, and correlate contextsRequestCAPA assesses knowledge of the Argo project. CGOA covers GitOps fundamentals and their use in software delivery.
DW43Preparation for the Certified Argo Project Associate (CAPA) ExamKnowledge questions: Argo Workflows, CD, Rollouts, Events, GitOps deliveryRequest
DW44Preparation for the Certified GitOps Associate (CGOA) ExamGitOps fundamentals: declarative configuration, reconciliation, delivery, security, and toolingRequestICA focuses on Istio, KCA on Kyverno and CBA on Backstage. CNPA tests conceptual platform engineering knowledge, while CNPE tests practical application.
DW42Preparation for the Istio Certified Associate (ICA) ExamConfigure and explain traffic, security, resilience, and observability conceptsRequestDW46Preparation for the Certified Backstage Associate (CBA) ExamUnderstand software catalogs, templates, plugins, TechDocs, search, and authenticationRequest
DW45Preparation for the Kyverno Certified Associate (KCA) ExamValidate, mutate, generate Kubernetes resources, then verify images and policy resultsRequestDW47Preparation for the Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineering Associate (CNPA) ExamKnowledge questions cover platform architecture, self-service, automation, observability, and securityRequestDW48Preparation for the Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineer (CNPE) ExamBuild self-service platforms with delivery, infrastructure automation, observability, and securityRequestLFCS tests practical Linux system administration. It complements the CNCF certifications required for Golden Kubestronaut status.
Bookable preparation courses link to their detail pages. Entries marked “Request” open a corporate training request.
THE KUBESTRONAUT PATH
KCNA, KCSA, CKAD, CKA and CKS must all be active at the same time for Kubestronaut status. Your experience and responsibilities determine which exam comes first. The only fixed rule is that you must pass CKA before CKS.
Five Kubernetes credentials, valid simultaneously
Kubestronaut is a title awarded by the CNCF to people whose five Kubernetes certifications, KCNA, KCSA, CKA, CKAD and CKS, are valid simultaneously. The title remains valid through the year when the first expires; renewal restores it.
Jacket, Credly badge, 50% CNCF exam discount, 20% annual event discount
All CNCF credentials plus LFCS, permanently
Golden Kubestronaut additionally requires all remaining CNCF certifications and the LFCS, totalling 16 simultaneously valid exams. Once earned, the title is held for life.
Since 2025Over 370 Golden Kubestronauts (as of 23 March 2026)Backpack and beanie, THRIVE-ONE, one KCD ticket per year, 50% off one KubeCon registration per year
Rules and roles: Under CARE, the applicable lower-level certification must have been earned previously, whether it is current or expired; passing a higher-level exam does not grant a credential never held. Passing CKA or CKAD renews KCNA. Passing or recertifying CKS renews KCSA and KCNA and, since 18 June 2026 and not retroactively, also reinstates or extends CKA. New exams count no earlier than 90 days after general availability; CKNE is not required today. CNCF and the Linux Foundation award and examine the certifications; DevNinjas only prepares candidates: 5 preparations are bookable, 12 available on request.
Recommended route
Suggested route, not a fixed sequence
STARTING POINT
Both contribute
HANDS-ON
Both contribute
GOAL
The stages are a learning recommendation, not a required order. Existing experience may replace preparation steps; only CKA before CKS is an official requirement.
VOICES FROM THE WORKSHOPS
These comments come from our CKAD, CKA and CKS workshops. Participants talk about the content, the teaching and their work in our learning environment.
DW7 CKS Exam Preparation
„The CKS extends your Kubernetes knowledge with the security-relevant aspects and is therefore the perfect follow-up to the CKA. For anyone working in the Kubernetes security space, it is definitely worth it. Very strong technical expertise, very friendly, and the content was conveyed interactively and vividly. The learning environment was very well designed.“
Fabian Maas
STACKIT GmbH, CKS Exam Preparation
Participant voice on DW6
„Very competent, very pleasant teaching style.“
Pascal Knöll
Bundeswehr, CKA Exam Preparation
Participant voice on DW5
„The trainer was very competent and was able to draw from an extensive wealth of experience.“
Thomas Schaper
OPITZ CONSULTING, CKAD Exam Preparation
Plan Kubernetes certifications for your team
Key Account Manager
Preparing several people or planning a shared certification route? We discuss your team's responsibilities, existing experience and goals, then put together suitable team training.
Start with CKA if you operate Kubernetes clusters, or CKAD if you develop and deploy applications on Kubernetes.
CKA preparation covers cluster setup, recovery and systematic troubleshooting. CKAD preparation focuses on workloads, application configuration and debugging. KCNA (Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate) is an entry-level certification with no prior knowledge required; KCSA assesses security foundations. The practical security exam CKS requires a previously passed CKA, including an expired CKA; otherwise, there is no mandatory exam order. The certification finder helps you choose based on your work and experience.
CKA, CKAD and CKS assess practical Kubernetes skills; KCNA and KCSA test knowledge through multiple-choice questions.
In the practical exams, you complete command-line tasks. KCNA and KCSA involve no cluster work. All five exams are proctored online. The comparison table lists the duration of each exam.
To take CKS, you must have previously passed CKA; an expired CKA also qualifies for exam scheduling. You do not need CKA to attend the CKS workshop.
Among KCNA, KCSA, CKAD, CKA and CKS, only CKA before CKS is mandatory. You can plan the other exams around your responsibilities. Kubestronaut, however, requires all five credentials to be active at the same time. The Kubestronaut learning path shows one possible course sequence.
The Kubernetes exam fee is not included in the DevNinjas workshop price; you book the exam separately with the Linux Foundation.
For each participant, allow for the workshop, exam registration and a later renewal exam. The comparison table lists exam fees with their source and check date. CKA, CKAD, CKS and KCSA registrations include one retake. CKA, CKAD and CKS registrations also include access to the Killer.sh exam simulator; bookings without a simulator, labelled -SINGLE, exclude that access.
Kubestronaut requires five certifications to be active simultaneously: KCNA, KCSA, CKAD, CKA and CKS.
Golden Kubestronaut adds the other current CNCF certifications and LFCS. The certification index shows the full list and the status of preparation courses.
DevNinjas offers preparation courses for KCNA, KCSA, CKAD, CKA and CKS; the certification index shows the status of each exam.
For exams without a bookable public course, we can discuss corporate training with you; the index marks those preparations as available to enquire about.
The CKA exam is proctored online through camera, microphone and screen sharing; the Linux Foundation does not offer exam tasks in German. Check-in includes checks of your ID and examination room. You need the PSI Secure Browser and should run the system check beforehand.
CKA, CKAD and CKS tasks are available in English, Simplified Chinese and Japanese. DevNinjas teaching and materials instead follow the booked course language, which appears beside the workshop date.
Passing or renewing CKS renews a previously earned CKA through the Linux Foundation CARE programme if the CKS certification was earned on or after 18 June 2026. CKA's expiry date aligns with the new CKS expiry date; an expired CKA can also become current again.
Earlier CKS certifications do not qualify retrospectively. CARE does not award certifications you have never earned. If your credentials are held in different LF accounts, contact LF support because automatic matching does not work across accounts.
The next public dates for our five preparation workshops. Each workshop page has the full details and booking options.
14 – 15 December 2026
Public date
CERTIFICATION FINDER
Four short questions lead to a recommendation. If the route still requires more experience or another certification, the result will say so. When booking for someone else, answer from that person's perspective.
KCNA Exam Preparation
Beginner2 daysCourse code: DW24Live online German
€1,110.00per person, plus 19% VAT
€1,110.00
per person, plus 19% VAT
11 – 13 January 2027
Public date
CKAD Exam Preparation
Intermediate3 daysCourse code: DW5Live online German
€1,665.00per person, plus 19% VAT
€1,665.00
per person, plus 19% VAT
11 – 14 January 2027
Public date
CKA Exam Preparation
Intermediate4 daysCourse code: DW6Live online German
€2,220.00per person, plus 19% VAT
€2,220.00
per person, plus 19% VAT
A private workshop for your team?
We coordinate the date and content with you. To attend a public workshop as an individual, select “Show all dates”.
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