This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Shivansh Barapatre
🎉 Cleared Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA) + Preparation Guide
description: "How I cleared the LFCA exam + a complete guide with resources, tips, domains, comparisons, and preparation strategy for aspiring Linux, Cloud, and DevOps learners."
I’m excited to share that I have successfully cleared the Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA) certification!
This post is both an achievement announcement and a guide for aspiring candidates who are considering LFCA as a starting point in their Linux, Cloud, or DevOps journey.
📌 Exam Domains Covered
The LFCA exam validates knowledge across six key domains:
- Linux Fundamentals (20%) — Basic commands, shell usage, file systems, permissions.
- System Administration Fundamentals (20%) — User management, processes, services, system monitoring.
- Cloud Computing Fundamentals (20%) — Virtualization, containers, IaaS/PaaS/SaaS concepts.
- Security Fundamentals (16%) — Encryption, IAM, firewalls, and securing infrastructure.
- DevOps Fundamentals (16%) — CI/CD concepts, Infrastructure as Code, automation, monitoring.
- Supporting Applications & Developers (8%) — APIs, packaging, and developer workflows.
👉 Together, these ensure candidates have well-rounded skills across IT, Linux, Cloud, Security, and DevOps.
📚 Preparation Strategy & Resources
✅ Core Resource (Highly Recommended)
I primarily prepared using the A Cloud Guru (Pluralsight) LFCA course. It’s structured directly around exam domains and includes hands-on labs.
🔗 https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/linux-foundation-certified-it-associate-lfca
⚡ Optional Foundation (My Earlier DevOps Prep)
Before LFCA, I had completed DevOps Beginners to Advanced with Projects by Imran Teli (Udemy).
🔗 https://www.udemy.com/course/decodingdevops/
This course is optional, but it gave me a strong foundation in Linux, AWS, CI/CD, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, GitOps, etc. That prior knowledge made my LFCA preparation smoother and faster.
🎓 Free Resources from The Linux Foundation
The Linux Foundation also offers official, free self-paced courses that align well with LFCA:
🔗 https://training.linuxfoundation.org/resources/lfca-free-resources/
Some recommended ones:
- Introduction to Linux
- Introduction to DevOps & SRE
- Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure Technologies
- Beginner’s Guide to Open Source Software Development
💡 Pro Tip: Start here if you’re completely new — they provide excellent baseline knowledge.
💡 Tips for LFCA Aspirants
- Start Early & Be Consistent — Dedicate fixed weekly hours instead of cramming.
- Focus on Hands-On — Practice Linux commands, set up a small cloud project, automate tasks.
- Take Notes — Summarize key commands, workflows, and concepts.
- Do Mock Tests — Identify weak areas and build exam confidence.
- Mix Free + Paid Resources — Use Linux Foundation free courses + Pluralsight LFCA prep for structured learning.
📊 Expected Difficulty Level
- Complete Beginners → 4–6 weeks of consistent prep.
- Intermediate Learners → 2–3 weeks of focused study.
- With Strong DevOps Foundations → 1–2 weeks of brushing up is enough.
👉 The exam is beginner-friendly, but practical knowledge matters more than memorization.
🆚 LFCA vs Other Entry-Level Certifications
If you’re wondering how LFCA compares with similar beginner-level certifications, here’s a quick breakdown:
| Certification | Focus Area | Best For | Difficulty | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LFCA (Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate) | Linux, Cloud, Security, DevOps fundamentals | Beginners aiming for a broad IT foundation | Beginner-friendly | $200 (beta testers got free coupons) |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner | AWS cloud concepts, billing, and architecture | Beginners who want to specialize in AWS Cloud | Beginner-friendly | $100 |
| CompTIA Linux+ | Linux administration, scripting, troubleshooting | IT professionals focusing on Linux sysadmin roles | Slightly more advanced than LFCA | $358 |
👉 Takeaway:
- Choose LFCA if you want a broad foundation across Linux + Cloud + DevOps.
- Choose AWS Cloud Practitioner if your career goal is AWS-focused cloud roles.
- Choose Linux+ if you want to dive deeper into Linux system administration.
🚀 Final Thoughts
For me, clearing LFCA was not just about earning a certification — it was about validating the skills I’ve been building as part of my journey toward becoming a stronger Cloud & DevOps Engineer.
A special thanks to The Linux Foundation for refreshing the LFCA exam and offering free beta-tester coupons, making it more accessible for learners worldwide.
If you’re just starting your journey in Linux, Cloud, or DevOps — LFCA is a perfect entry-level certification to build confidence and open doors to advanced certifications.
Best of luck to all aspiring LFCA candidates — prep smart, practice often, and trust your journey! 🎯
🔖 References & Resources
- Linux Foundation LFCA Exam Resources: https://training.linuxfoundation.org/resources/lfca-free-resources/
- Pluralsight (A Cloud Guru) LFCA Course: https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/linux-foundation-certified-it-associate-lfca
- Udemy DevOps Beginners to Advanced (Optional): https://www.udemy.com/course/decodingdevops/
✍️ Written as part of my Cloud & DevOps learning journey. If you’re preparing for LFCA or similar certifications, I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Shivansh Barapatre
Shivansh Barapatre | Sciencx (2025-09-03T12:47:25+00:00) 🎉 Cleared Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA) + Preparation Guide. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/09/03/%f0%9f%8e%89-cleared-linux-foundation-certified-it-associate-lfca-preparation-guide/
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