🎉 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!
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