Linux Professional Institute Linux Essentials

Kick off your IT career with Linux and open source software

The internet, as well as the infrastructure of countless companies, is based on Linux and open source software. For decades, system administrators and software developers have relied on the standards established and continuously refined by free and open source software (FOSS).

The Linux Essentials exam gives you the opportunity to demonstrate a solid foundation in working with a Linux system and important open source applications for data processing, system administration, and security. Unlike the siloed solutions offered by commercial vendors, the exam content is vendor-neutral and can be practiced for free on virtually any standard computer hardware: Install Linux and get started!

Linux Essentials — along with the other LPI exams at the Essentials level — have been recognized for many years as proof of essential IT fundamentals. Educational institutions, in particular, often combine the exam with their own programs, making it the de facto standard for relevant training courses.

The Linux Essentials certificate also serves as a great introduction to the more complete and advanced Linux Professional certification track.

Current version: 2.0 (Exam code 010-200)
Previous version: 1.6 (Exam code 010-160, available until April, 2027)

Objectives: 010-200

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this certificate

Requirements: Passing the Linux Essentials 010 exam. The Linux Essentials exam contains 40 questions and must be completed within 60 minutes.

Validity period: Lifetime

Cost: Click here for exam pricing in your country.

Languages for exam available in VUE test centers: English (Translations into French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish will be released within the next few months.)

Languages for exam available online via OnVUE: English (Translations into French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish will be released within the next few months.)

To receive the Linux Essentials certificate the candidate must:

• understand the fundamentals of Linux, open source software, and the open source ecosystem, including common applications and licensing principles;
• understand the key components of the Linux operating system and demonstrate basic proficiency in using the Linux command line, managing files and directories, working with essential command-line tools, and basic shell scripting; and
• demonstrate a basic understanding of Linux system administration, networking, and security, including user and group management, file permissions, processes, systemd, secure remote access using SSH, and modern computing environments such as cloud computing and containers.