020 3130 4909
United Kingdom
Student login
£195 Finance available
Enquire Enrol Now
£195 Enquire Enrol Now →
Save £200

CompTIA Linux+

CompTIA Linux+ proves you can administer, secure, automate and troubleshoot Linux systems — the operating system behind most servers, the cloud and DevOps. It’s vendor-neutral, so the skills apply everywhere Linux runs. No experience required: CompTIA recommends around 12 months of hands-on Linux experience, but there’s no formal prerequisite.

Enrol Now — £195
Duration
5–9 weeks
Format
100% online
Prerequisites
None needed
Access
12 months

About this certification

What Is CompTIA Linux+?

The vendor-neutral, industry-standard certification for administering Linux systems.

The certification explained

CompTIA Linux+ (XK0-005) is the industry-standard, vendor-neutral certification for Linux administration. Built and maintained by CompTIA, a non-profit trade association, it proves core Linux skills that apply across any distribution and any organisation’s systems — not just one vendor’s tools.

It covers the essentials end to end: day-to-day system management; security and hardening; scripting, automation and containers; and troubleshooting when things go wrong. These are the practical skills behind most servers, the cloud and modern DevOps.

Linux+ is widely recognised as the benchmark Linux certification. There are no formal prerequisites — CompTIA recommends around 12 months of hands-on Linux experience, but it’s not required — making it a natural step for anyone moving into Linux administration, cloud or DevOps.

1
exam to pass — the current XK0-005
4
core domains, from system management to troubleshooting
0
prerequisites — Linux experience is recommended but not required
100%
vendor-neutral — skills that apply across any distribution

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

CompTIA Linux+ suits anyone working with Linux — whether you’re stepping up from general IT or building toward cloud and DevOps.

Aspiring Linux Admins

Want to move into a Linux administration role and need the certification that proves your skills.

IT Pros Moving to Linux

Ready to move from Windows or general IT into hands-on Linux administration.

Cloud & DevOps Aspirants

Heading into cloud or DevOps, where Linux is the foundation almost everything runs on.

Developers

Want to be comfortable on the command line, with the systems your code actually runs on.

Support & Sysadmin Staff

Already supporting systems and want to formalise your Linux skills with a recognised cert.

Hands-On Learners

Learn best by doing — practise real Linux command-line tasks and scenarios as you go.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course runs across 8 modules covering all four exam domains, from Linux fundamentals through to containers and modern infrastructure — around 26 hours of video, with hands-on command-line practice throughout.

Linux Fundamentals
The shell and basic tasks · Files and directories · Text editors
~3 hrs
Users, Groups & Permissions
Managing users and groups · Ownership and permissions
~3 hrs
Storage & Devices
Disks, partitions and filesystems · Managing devices
~3 hrs
Boot, Kernel & System
The boot process · Kernel modules · System components and services
~3 hrs
Networking & Software
Linux networking · Installing and managing packages and software
~3 hrs
Securing Linux
Hardening · Access controls · Linux security best practices
~4 hrs
Scripting & Automation
Bash scripting · Automating tasks · Scheduling with cron
~4 hrs
Containers & Modern Infrastructure
Containers and virtualisation · Git and infrastructure as code · Installing Linux
~3 hrs

What the course covers

The shell & basic tasks

Files, directories & text editors

Users, groups & permissions

Disks, partitions & filesystems

The boot process & kernel modules

System components & services

Linux networking

Installing & managing software

Package management

Hardening & access controls

Linux security best practices

Troubleshooting common issues

Bash scripting

Automating tasks

Scheduling with cron

Containers & virtualisation

Git & infrastructure as code

Installing Linux

What’s included

Everything You Need to Succeed

Each course includes the materials, hands-on practice, and support you need to learn the skills properly and walk into the exam ready.

12 Months Course Access

Full access to all course materials and hands-on activities for 12 months. Study on any device, online 24/7. Never lose your progress.

Expert Video Lessons

Clear, on-demand video lessons covering every objective on the XK0-005 exam — learn at your own pace and rewatch as often as you like.

Hands-On Activities & Practice Tests

Guided hands-on activities working through real Linux tasks, plus practice questions modelled on the real XK0-005 exam, so you build real skills and walk in knowing what to expect.

Account Manager Support

A dedicated account manager to keep you on track, answer your questions, and help you arrange your exam when you’re ready.

Help when you need it →

Certificate & Digital Badge

Complete the course and you’ll receive a Career Smarter certificate of completion and a shareable digital badge for your LinkedIn and CV. The official CompTIA Linux+ certification itself comes from passing the exam.

Shareable & verifiable →

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not the right course? If you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling, we’ll refund you — no fuss.

Risk-free enrolment →

In practice

CompTIA Linux+ in the Real World

Linux runs most of the world’s servers and the cloud. See the kind of work Linux+ trains you for.

Administering Systems

Keeping the servers everyone depends on running

Managing users and permissions, configuring storage and filesystems, installing software, controlling the services that start at boot. Linux+ teaches you to run a Linux system confidently from the command line, day in and day out.

CompTIA Linux+ in action Knowing how users, files, services and storage fit together means you keep systems healthy instead of firefighting.

Securing & Hardening

Locking a system down properly

Tightening permissions, configuring access controls, closing off what isn’t needed. Linux+ teaches the hardening techniques and security best practices that keep Linux systems resilient against attack.

CompTIA Linux+ in action Applying least privilege and sound access controls means a system is secure by design, not as an afterthought.

Scripting & Automation

Letting the machine do the repetitive work

Writing Bash scripts, scheduling jobs with cron, automating routine tasks. Linux+ teaches you to turn manual, repeatable work into reliable automation — the foundation of modern DevOps and infrastructure as code.

CompTIA Linux+ in action A well-written script run on a schedule turns hours of manual effort into something that just happens, reliably.

Exam details

About the CompTIA Linux+ Exam

CompTIA Linux+ is a single exam — the current XK0-005. It’s an optional add-on here: add your exam voucher at checkout, and we’ll provide it so you can book through Pearson VUE — online with a proctor, or at a test centre — when you’re ready.

Exam
One(XK0-005)
Format
MC + performance
Questions
Up to 90
Duration
90 minutes
Pass mark
720 / 900
Booking
We help arrange

What to Expect on Exam Day

The CompTIA Linux+ exam is booked and sat through Pearson VUE. You can take it online with a remote proctor, or at a local test centre — whenever you’re ready.

Booking

When you add the exams and feel ready, your account manager helps you redeem your voucher and book through Pearson VUE — online or at a test centre near you.

Equipment required

For online testing you need a laptop or desktop (not a mobile or tablet), a working webcam and microphone, a quiet private room, and a stable internet connection.

On the day

You have 90 minutes and up to 90 questions, including performance-based questions that ask you to complete real tasks in a simulated environment — not just multiple choice.

Results

You get your score on a 100–900 scale as soon as you finish, with a report showing how you did in each area. Score 720 or above and you’re CompTIA Linux+ certified.

Rescheduling

If something comes up, you can reschedule through Pearson VUE up to 24 hours before your exam. Your account manager can help if you’re not sure how.

Student reviews

What Our Students Say

4.8

1,247 verified reviews

The majority of students pass first time, based on an internal student survey conducted in May 2026.

5★
80%
4★
15%
3★
5%
2★
0%
1★
0%
trustpilot
BEN Carter
Very approachable team to talk to set you up on your courses and a quick response to get you started soon as possible. Sandy was very helpful for me and setting me up for my course. Thank you
...
trustpilot
an iFi Audio Zen DAC
Highly recommend Career Smarter! Account manager Lanie is very responsive and always willing to help.
...
trustpilot
Moby
I was looking for an AgilePM foundation course and found Career Smarter (thorough the Reed website), I requested information and received a prompt and helpful response from Lanie detailing the different options and prices etc. Lanie followed up a few days later but there was no sense of feeling pressured, nor any phone calls, just email and WhatsApp messages, giving me the time to consider the options and compare with others. I’ve now booked my course (which was easy, the website is good) which as it happens is also less expensive than other offers, and I’m encouraged by the other very positive reviews of this company.
Thank you Lanie, we haven’t spoken yet but I haven’t forgotten that you are on hand if I need further assistance.
...

Career Growth Path

Where This Certification Takes You

Linux+ takes you from general IT into dedicated Linux, cloud and DevOps roles. See where it leads — and the certifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

A+/Network+ or IT experience

CompTIA Linux+

£32k–£45k avg.

You are here

Linux Administrator

£40k–£55k avg.

DevOps / Cloud Engineer

£55k–£75k avg.

Systems / Platform Engineer

£65k–£90k avg.

Linux runs most of the world’s servers, cloud and supercomputers
Linux skills are core to DevOps, cloud and cybersecurity careers

Recommended next certifications

→ Natural next step

CompTIA Cloud+

Take your Linux skills into the cloud, where most of it now runs.

£40k–£60kLearn more →
 → Add security

CompTIA Security+

Secure the systems you administer — a natural pairing with Linux.

£35k–£55kLearn more →
 → Underpin with networking

CompTIA Network+

Strengthen the networking foundations behind every Linux system.

£30k–£45kLearn more →
 → Cloud platform

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

Add an in-demand cloud platform credential.

£35k–£50kLearn more →

Go further for less

Why stop here? Get our entire IT library.

Upgrade to the IT Certification Training Bundle and unlock 12 months’ access to our full range of CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft certification courses — dozens of certifications for one price. Add the upgrade in one click in the enrolment form below.

Explore the Bundle

Pricing

Simple, Transparent Pricing

One course, no hidden extras. Add your exam voucher at checkout when you’re ready.

Course only — right for you if…

You want to study first and buy your exam voucher later, or you already have a way to fund the exam (for example through an employer).

Course & exam — right for you if…

You want everything sorted in one go. Choose the Include Exam option below to add your official XK0-005 voucher at a discount on buying it separately.

CompTIA Linux+ — Sale Price

£395 £195 inc. VAT Save £200

Everything you need to prepare for the XK0-005 exam. Add your official exam voucher at checkout when you’re ready.

12 Months Course Access
Study anytime, on any device, 24/7
Expert Video Lessons
Covering every exam objective
Practice Exams & Test Prep
Modelled on the real exam
Official Exam
Optional — add your voucher at checkout
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Change your mind, get a refund
Certificate & Digital Badge
On course completion — shareable & verifiable

Finance available at checkout · 14-day money-back guarantee

Pay Monthly

From £12.40/month

CAREER SMARTER LTD is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Social Money Limited t/a Payl8r who is authorised by the FCA under Ref. Number 675283. Credit is subject to creditworthiness and affordability assessments. Missed payments may affect your credit file, future borrowing and incur fees. Representative Example: £440.00 over 12 months at 2.50% fixed per month. Rep APR 65.5%. Monthly: £47.67. Total repayable: £572.04. 0% interest rate applies only where the loan is repaid in full within 3 months.

Team & Corporate

Bulk discounts available

Training 3 or more employees? Get volume pricing, a dedicated account manager, and custom reporting.

Talk to Our Team

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you enrol.

Is CompTIA Linux+ for beginners?

No. CompTIA does recommend that you have 12 months of experience working with Linux servers, and that you have the CompTIA A+, Network+ and Server+ certifications. However, starting the training with us has no requirements, should you already have previous IT experience, this may be something that is already aligned with your skills.

Is learning Linux enough to get a job?

Yes. Although you can get a related job without any certification, skills that are validated will always make for better chances and higher earnings. Even achieving a certificate of completion from the course will promote your ability to negotiate better.

How long does it take to prepare for Linux+?

We give learners the guidance of 30 hours per course, this all depends on your skill level and how quickly you learn.

Does CompTIA Linux+ expire?

Yes. The Linux+ certification will be refreshed every 3 years to keep it aligned with new technologies and trends. It is necessary for Linux professionals to stay at the forefront of industry demands and prove to their employers that they are serious about keeping systems running.

Can I learn Linux on my own?

Yes. The Linux+ online course is self-paced and delivered online through video, allowing you to watch sections as many times as you need. The course has practice questions and interactive learning aids to help you absorb the information better.

Do you need A+ for Linux+?

No. Having previous experience may be enough. However, it is recommended to have competed the A+ training before starting the Linux+ training.

Start Today

Master
Linux today.

Join the UK professionals who chose Career Smarter. Flexible, affordable, and built around the vendor-neutral Linux certification employers trust.

£195inc. VAT

Finance available at checkout · 14-day money-back guarantee

Enrol Now — £195 Request Information
Hands-on activities