Red Hat Certified Engineer Certification Guide
Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) Certification Guide
The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a hands-on, performance-based certification offered by Red Hat, a leader in open-source enterprise solutions. It validates your ability to configure, manage, and automate Linux systems, making it one of the most respected certifications for system administrators and DevOps professionals.
Why RHCE Certification Is Important
- Recognized globally as a top Linux certification.
- Focuses on automation with Ansible and advanced Linux administration.
- Certified engineers earn an average salary of $100K–$125K in the U.S.
- Required or preferred for system administration, DevOps, and cloud engineering roles.
Requirements and Eligibility
- Must first earn the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA).
- Recommended: 1–3 years of Linux system administration experience.
- Familiarity with networking, shell scripting, and automation tools.
RHCE Exam Details
- Exam Code: EX294 (RHCE on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9)
- Exam Fee: $400–$500 (varies by region and delivery)
- Format: Performance-based, hands-on exam (not multiple choice)
- Time: 3.5 hours
- Passing Score: ~210/300 (70%)
- Delivery: In-person at a Red Hat or testing partner facility, or via remote exam
Domains Covered (2025 EX294 Exam):
- Automating Linux administration tasks with Ansible
- Configuring network services and security
- Managing storage and file systems
- Managing users, groups, and permissions
- Configuring containers, virtual machines, and cloud integration
- Troubleshooting and maintaining RHEL systems
Salary and Career Outlook
- Average salary: $100K–$125K in the U.S.
- Roles: Linux Engineer, Systems Administrator, DevOps Engineer, Cloud Engineer, Automation Specialist.
- High demand: Linux remains the backbone of enterprise IT, cloud infrastructure, and DevOps pipelines.
Step-by-Step Roadmap to RHCE
- Earn RHCSA First – Required before attempting RHCE.
- Get Hands-On Experience – Work with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
- Learn Ansible Automation – A core focus of the exam.
- Take Official Training (Optional but Recommended):
- Red Hat System Administration III (RH294)
- Practice Labs – Use Ansible playbooks, system configuration, and troubleshooting scenarios.
- Schedule and Sit for EX294 – Hands-on practical exam.
- Maintain Certification – Valid for 3 years, renewable.
Exam Pass Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
Tips for Success
- Practice Ansible automation daily — RHCE is automation-focused.
- Set up a home lab with RHEL and simulate enterprise scenarios.
- Study Red Hat’s official exam objectives carefully.
Common Mistakes
- Memorizing commands without practicing real tasks.
- Ignoring troubleshooting exercises (a big part of the exam).
- Not managing time — performance-based tasks are time-intensive.
Best Study Resources
- Red Hat Official Training: RH294 (Linux Automation with Ansible)
- Red Hat Certified Engineer (EX294) Study Guide (Sander van Vugt)
- Red Hat Learning Subscription (RHLS)
- Udemy & A Cloud Guru RHCE prep courses
- Practice labs using RHEL, Ansible, and virtualization
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
- Valid for 3 years.
- Renewal options:
- Retake the RHCE exam, or
- Earn a higher-level certification (Red Hat Certified Architect – RHCA).
- Staying current with the latest RHEL release is strongly recommended.
RHCE vs Other Linux Certifications
| Certification | Focus | Difficulty | Cost | Avg Salary | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHCE | Advanced Linux administration & automation with Ansible | High | $400–$500 | $115K | Experienced Linux admins, DevOps pros |
| RHCSA | Basic Linux administration | Medium | $400 | $90K | Beginners, junior sysadmins |
| LPIC-2 | Vendor-neutral Linux certification | Medium | $200 per exam | $95K | Multi-distro Linux professionals |
| CompTIA Linux+ | Entry-level Linux skills | Easy-Medium | $358 | $85K | IT beginners |
👉 RHCE is best for enterprise Linux automation and advanced sysadmin roles, RHCSA is foundational, LPIC-2 is vendor-neutral, and Linux+ is entry-level.
Practice Questions (Mini Quiz)
- Which automation tool is the primary focus of the RHCE exam?
- A) Puppet
- B) Chef
- C) Ansible ✅
- D) Terraform
- How long is the RHCE certification valid?
- A) 1 year
- B) 2 years
- C) 3 years ✅
- D) 5 years
- What is the prerequisite for taking the RHCE exam?
- A) LPIC-1
- B) RHCSA ✅
- C) CompTIA Linux+
- D) None
With the RHCE Certification You Can Command a Higher Salary
The RHCE certification is a highly respected Linux credential that proves you can manage and automate enterprise-grade systems. It’s performance-based, meaning you must show real skills — not just answer multiple-choice questions.
If your goal is to become a senior Linux administrator, DevOps engineer, or automation specialist, RHCE is the certification that will set you apart. With strong hands-on preparation, you’ll gain the expertise to advance your career and command higher salaries in the competitive IT job market.
