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Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.
Linux Foundation · associate
LFCSLinux Foundation Certified System Administrator
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator
Official pageComparing
Linux FoundationLFCS
› Cost
Exam fee
LFCS$375
Exam fee
$375
Annual maintenance fee
LFCS—
Annual maintenance fee
—
3-year cost of ownership
LFCS$375
3-year cost of ownership
$375
› Exam mechanics
Pass mark
LFCS—
Pass mark
—
Retake policy
LFCS—
Retake policy
—
Study time
LFCS—
Study time
—
Validity
LFCS—
Validity
—
CPE / yr
LFCS—
CPE / yr
—
Delivery
LFCS—
Delivery
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› Salary signal (US base)
Range
LFCS—
Range
—
Median
LFCS—
Median
—
Premium %
LFCS—
Premium %
—
Role context
LFCS—
Role context
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› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)
Schema quality
LFCS8.5
Schema quality
8.5
Practice evidence
LFCS9.5
Practice evidence
9.5
Maintenance
LFCS9.0
Maintenance
9.0
Market recognition
LFCS7.5
Market recognition
7.5
Average
LFCS8.6
Average
8.6
› Recognition & lifecycle
Recognition
LFCSGlobal
Recognition
Global
ISO 17024 accredited
LFCS—
ISO 17024 accredited
—
DoD 8140 baseline
LFCS—
DoD 8140 baseline
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Holders worldwide
LFCS—
Holders worldwide
—
Current version
LFCS—
Current version
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› Domain coverage
A25Security Architecture & Engineering
LFCS● core
A25Security Architecture & Engineering
● core
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