Top 10 Differences Between RHCSA and RHCE You Must Know Before Enrolling

Objective

If you are venturing into the world of Linux system administration or eyeing a career that involves server management, DevOps or cloud infrastructure, you have probably come across the terms RHCSA and RHCE. These are two of the most respected Red Hat certifications available today. But before you sign up for either, it is crucial to understand what sets them apart.

The primary objective of the is to:

• Educate readers on the clear distinctions between the RHCSA and RHCE certifications.

• Guide aspiring Linux professionals in selecting the right certification path based on their skill level, career goals and job roles.

• Simplify decision-making by providing a structured comparison of certification levels, prerequisites, costs, exam formats and industry relevance.

• Empower readers to make informed choices before investing time and money in certification preparation. 

While both certifications are powerful credentials, they serve different purposes and cater to different experience levels as well as demand different skill sets. In this blog, we will walk you through the top 10 differences between RHCSA and RHCE to help you make an informed decision before enrolling. 

1. Certification Level: Foundation vs. Advanced

RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator) is considered an entry-level certification. It is often the starting point for IT professionals new to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). On the other hand RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer) is an advanced-level certification meant for experienced administrators who want to take their skills to the next level.

RHCSA is learning how to drive your IT career while RHCE teaches you how to race professionally. 

2. Skillset Focus: Core Administration vs. Automation and Scripting

RHCSA is all about the core skills which are required to manage a Linux system. This includes user and group management, file permissions, storage, security, networking and basic troubleshooting. RHCE, especially after the changes introduced in RHEL 8 and RHEL 9 places heavy emphasis on automation using Ansible. You will be expected to manage systems more efficiently through scripts and playbooks.

So, if RHCSA is about doing things manually and correctly then RHCE is about automating those manual tasks.

3. Prerequisite Requirement

You can sit for the RHCSA exam without any formal prerequisites although basic Linux knowledge is highly recommended. In contrast, RHCE requires you to first earn the RHCSA certification. It is a building-block approach. You master the basics with RHCSA, then level up to more complex, enterprise-level tasks with RHCE. 

4. Exam Code and Format

The RHCSA exam is labeled EX200, while the RHCE exam is EX294.  Both exams are performance-based and hands-on which means you are solving real-world tasks on a live system. However, the complexity and depth of tasks differ. RHCSA tasks are foundational while RHCE challenges you to apply your skills in scalable, automated environments. 

5. Target Audience

RHCSA is tailored for:

• New Linux users

• Fresh graduates entering the IT field

• Windows administrators transitioning to Linux

• IT professionals aiming for foundational Linux skills

RHCE is designed for:

• Experienced Linux administrators

• DevOps professionals

• Cloud and infrastructure engineers

• Professionals aiming for senior roles in system administration

Choosing the right one depends on where you are in your career journey. 

6. Learning Curve and Study Time

RHCSA has a gentler learning curve. For someone with basic command-line experience 4 to 6 weeks of regular study may be enough.

RHCE requires not just Linux knowledge but also a solid grip on Ansible automation, which can extend the study timeline to 6 to 10 weeks depending on your prior experience.

Simply, RHCSA is learning to manage a single system whereas RHCE is learning to manage dozens, efficiently. 

7. Real-World Application

RHCSA certifies you in tasks like creating users, managing file systems, configuring firewalls and controlling services. These are day-to-day tasks in almost any Linux environment.

RHCE certifies your ability to automate tasks, manage multiple systems and ensure consistency across environments. This skill set is particularly valuable in DevOps, CI/CD and enterprise IT automation. 

8. Industry Recognition and Career Impact

Both certifications are respected but RHCE holds a premium status due to its advanced scope. RHCSA is often a required credential for entry-level roles such as:

• Junior System Administrator

• IT Support Specialist

• Linux Technician

RHCE opens doors to more senior roles like:

• Linux System Engineer

• DevOps Engineer

• Infrastructure Architect

• Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)

RHCEs are often seen as thought leaders within their organizations. 

9. Cost of Certification

As of 2025 the cost for the RHCSA (EX200) exam is approximately $500, while the RHCE (EX294) exam is also around $500.

You also need to factor in the cost of training if you opt for Red Hat's official courses or third-party learning platforms. Bundles for RHCSA+RHCE are sometimes available at a discount. 

10. Training Approach and Resources

While Red Hat offers official training courses for both certifications, RHCSA has more beginner-friendly options with a wide variety of books, tutorials and community support. RHCE training is more technical and assumes you are already comfortable with system administration. Additionally, the RHCE training places greater emphasis on project-based learning especially around automating enterprise tasks using Ansible playbooks.

Those preparing for RHCE often need hands-on labs, virtual machines and real-world scenarios to practice effectively.

Conclusion

If you are just starting out RHCSA is the obvious first step. It is the prerequisite for RHCE and it gives you a solid foundation in Linux system administration. Once you are confident with those skills and you have had some hands-on experience RHCE is a natural next step. For those with a few years of Linux experience you can fast-track both but never skip RHCSA—it is your gateway into the world of Red Hat certifications.

If you are serious about acing RHCSA and laying the foundation for RHCE you need the right guidance and hands-on training. That’s where RHCSA.GURU comes in , providing  real-world labs, exam-focused content and a supportive community to ensure you are not just studying for the certification but also building skills that matter in the workplace.

Start strong. Learn smart. Certify with confidence.