Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)

The Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) exam certifies that candidates can design, build and deploy cloud-native applications for Kubernetes. The CKAD was created by the Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) as a part of their ongoing effort to help develop the Kubernetes ecosystem. The exam is online, proctored, performance-based test that requires solving multiple tasks from a command line running Kubernetes.

Open new career doors Now! Prove your Kubernetes & cloud native developer skills with the CKAD certification that is recognized globally, vendor-neutral, and relevant across all industries.

Candidates who pass CKAD will demonstrate proficiency in working with OCI-compliant container images, applying cloud-native application concepts and architectures, as well as handling and validating Kubernetes resource definitions.

The CKAD Certification focuses on the skills required to be a successful Kubernetes Application Developer in industry today. The exam assumes working knowledge of container runtimes and microservice architecture.

Earning the CKAD supports your career advancement, delivers industry-wide recognition of your professional credential, verifies your practical technical skills, and grants you access to valuable professional networking opportunities within the cloud-native community.

Networking Opportunities

Application Design and Build - 20%

• Define, build and modify container images
• Choose and use the right workload resource (Deployment, DaemonSet, CronJob, etc.)
• Understand multi-container Pod design patterns (e.g. sidecar, init and others)
• Utilize persistent and ephemeral volumes

Application Deployment - 20%

• Use Kubernetes primitives to implement common deployment strategies (e.g. blue/green or canary)
• Understand Deployments and how to perform rolling updates
• Use the Helm package manager to deploy existing packages
• Kustomize

Application Observability and Maintenance - 15%

• Understand API deprecations
• Implement probes and health checks
• Use built-in CLI tools to monitor Kubernetes applications
• Utilize container logs
• Debugging in Kubernetes

Application Environment, Configuration and Security - 25%

• Discover and use resources that extend Kubernetes (CRD, Operators)
• Understand authentication, authorization and admission control
• Understand requests, limits, quotas
• Understand Config Maps
• Define resource requirements
• Create & consume Secrets
• Understand ServiceAccounts
• Understand Application Security (SecurityContexts, Capabilities, etc.)

Services and Networking - 20%

• Demonstrate basic understanding of NetworkPolicies
• Provide and troubleshoot access to applications via services
• Use Ingress rules to expose applications

1. After purchase the exam voucher, please log into your portal LFOSSA website, your exam voucher will be available under "Exam & Learning Voucher" (password-protected).

2. You need an LFID to register for and take Linux Foundation (LF) certification exams. If you already have a Linux Foundation ID (LFID), you can redeem your exam voucher at https://trainingportal.linuxfoundation.org/redeem . If you do not have a LFID, click here (https://trainingportal.linuxfoundation.org/access/saml/login) to create one.

3. Log in to your LF Education portal,  enter your exam voucher code in the Enter Registration Code field and click Validate, then check the box: " I agree to The Linux Foundation Training Terms, Conditions & Policies and the Thought Industries Terms & Conditions." 

4. A confirmation message “Congrats, your code has been validated” will appear upon successful validation, confirming your voucher is valid. Click Register to complete the exam voucher registration.

5. Log in to LF Education global website with your LFID.   After the registration process, the certification exam will be available in the learner's portal within 24 hours, then the candidate will be available to take and schedule exam. 

The exam is based on Kubernetes v1.37.

The CKAD exam environment will be aligned with the most recent K8s minor version within approximately 4 to 8 weeks of the K8s release date.

Candidate Handbook

Curriculum Overview

Exam Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Linux Foundation Global Certification and Confidentiality Agreement

Verify Certification

The Exam Voucher is non-refundable upon purchase.

Exam Voucher is redeemable within 90 days post-purchase; Exam eligibility will be valid for 1 year from your registration date. You now have 90 days + 365 days for exam preparation!