Updated - October 2026
TL;DR: Red Hat reorganized its certifications in May 2026 into 5 tracks and 5 levels, and several OpenShift exams and courses were renamed (content unchanged). This guide lists the current OpenShift courses and exams with their former names, marks retired items, and adds the newer Virtualization, specialization and developer courses, along with free learning resources.
Introduction
OpenShift is an enterprise Kubernetes platform used to build, deploy, and manage cloud-native applications. OpenShift offers automated application build, deployment and life-cycle management using enterprise-standard tools and workflows.
Read the differences between OpenShift and Kubernetes.
Like Kubernetes, learning OpenShift is easy as hundreds of courses and resources are available. You can follow either a beginner-level course or a certification track course designed for OpenShift certification.
Note
The courses and exams listed here are offered by Red Hat and other training providers. Course titles, exam versions, and availability change often, so always confirm the details on the official page before you enroll.
Check the Red Hat OpenShift overview for a quick understanding.
Table of Contents
OpenShift Certifications and Courses by Red Hat
Red Hat offers multiple courses and certifications based on the Red Hat OpenShift platform. There are two main tracks, the OpenShift Administrator track and the OpenShift (Cloud-native) Developer track, plus Virtualization, AI and specialist courses.
Red Hat exams can be taken remotely from your home or office. Check the Red Hat Remote Exam Guide for more details.
Red Hat Certification Changes in 2026
Info
In May 2026, Red Hat reorganized its certification program into 5 specialization tracks (Enterprise Linux, Ansible, OpenShift, Cloud-native applications, and AI), each with 5 progressive levels: Technologist, System Administrator/Developer, Engineer, Specialist, and Architect. RHCE and RHCA are now earned per track, for example “RHCA in OpenShift”. Several certifications were renamed, but the exam content stayed the same. Existing credentials remain valid.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracks and the RHCA requirements, read our Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) guide. You can also check the official Red Hat announcement, the Red Hat Certifications page, and the Red Hat OpenShift skills paths.
Red Hat OpenShift Administration Track
The OpenShift Administration track is for individuals who want to learn the administrative tasks of Red Hat OpenShift clusters. You need to learn how to manage the OpenShift clusters, user policies, resource access control, deployment management, cluster networking etc.
The track now runs from the optional Technologist level (EX180), through the System Administrator level (EX280), to the Engineer level (EX380), with specialist exams on top for RHCA in OpenShift.
Course – Containers, Kubernetes, and Red Hat OpenShift Technical Overview (DO080)
A no-cost technical overview that serves as the starting point of the administrator skills path. See the free DO080 section under Red Hat OpenShift Free Courses below.
Course – Red Hat OpenShift Administration I: Operating a Production Cluster (DO180) (formerly Red Hat OpenShift I: Containers & Kubernetes)
This is the first administration course. It introduces containers, Kubernetes and OpenShift, and teaches you how to deploy, manage and troubleshoot applications running on an OpenShift cluster.
Check DO180 Course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Specialist in Containers and Kubernetes exam (EX180, old version) (RETIRED)
Warning
This older version of EX180 is retired. The EX180 code is still active and now refers to the Red Hat Certified Technologist in OpenShift exam, covered in the next section.
This is the introductory exam and you need to know the basics of Podman, container image management, application deployment using Podman etc. You can follow the DO180 course to prepare for this EX180 exam.
Check EX180 exam details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Technologist in OpenShift exam (EX180) (ACTIVE, replaces the former EX180 Specialist in Containers and Kubernetes exam)
The new EX180 is an optional, entry-level (Level 1 Technologist) exam. It tests your ability to deploy, manage, and troubleshoot applications on Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, including deploying applications from images and templates, managing configuration and persistent storage, and configuring health probes, resource limits and autoscaling. It is a hands-on, 2-hour exam based on OpenShift Container Platform 4.22. DO180 is the recommended preparation.
Check EX180 exam details.
Course – Red Hat OpenShift Administration II: Configuring a Production Cluster (DO280) (formerly Red Hat OpenShift Administration II: Operating a Production Kubernetes Cluster)
This course will teach you more about OpenShift clusters such as managing and configuring cluster resources, cluster security configurations, OpenShift networking, cluster updates etc.
Check DO280 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified System Administrator in OpenShift exam (EX280) (formerly Red Hat Certified OpenShift Administrator / Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration)
After finishing the DO280 course (not mandatory but recommended), you can prepare for the EX280 exam. EX280 is the System Administrator level (Level 2) exam in the OpenShift track and is required for the Engineer and Architect levels. You do not need to pass EX180 before attempting EX280, but if you are new to containers, it is highly recommended to follow both DO180 and DO280 courses first.
Check EX280 exam details.
Course – Red Hat OpenShift Administration III: Scaling Deployments in the Enterprise (DO380) (formerly Red Hat OpenShift Administration III: Scaling Kubernetes Deployments in the Enterprise)
The DO380 course will teach you more about the Day-2 tasks on the production Red Hat OpenShift clusters and the management. You will learn about the automation in OpenShift, CI/CD pipelines, GitOps, Managing container storage and OpenShift cluster troubleshooting. Red Hat recommends this course after completing EX280.
Check DO380 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Advanced System Administrator in OpenShift exam (EX380) (formerly Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Automation and Integration)
EX380 is the Engineer level (Level 3) exam in the OpenShift track. Passing EX280 and EX380 makes you a Red Hat Certified Engineer in OpenShift, and with three OpenShift specialist exams on top, you reach RHCA in OpenShift. DO380 is the recommended preparation.
Check EX380 exam details.
Course – Red Hat OpenShift Installation Lab (DO322)
In the DO322 course, you will learn about the Red Hat OpenShift deployment methods for different environments and scenarios. You will also learn the different installation methods available for the Red Hat OpenShift container platform. It is highly recommended to follow the DO280 course before you start the DO322 course if you are very new to the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform.
Check DO322 course details.
Course – Red Hat OpenShift Migration Lab (DO326) (RETIRED)
Warning
This course is no longer available and its Red Hat course page has been removed.
DO326 is a course for teaching you the application migration methods available with the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. You will learn how to migrate application workload running on OpenShift container platform version 3 to OpenShift container platform version 4 (OpenShift 3 to OpenShift 4 migration) using the Migration Toolkit for containers (MTC) and other tools available.
Container Adoption Boot Camp (DO700)
The Red Hat Container Adoption Boot Camp (DO700) is designed to equip administrators with the skills to manage containerized applications running on Red Hat OpenShift at enterprise scale. It covers large-scale deployments and supports both self-managed and managed services editions of OpenShift. Enrollment includes a one-year Red Hat Learning Subscription Standard.
Info
DO700 is now offered as a Private Training Day (team training) rather than a public 10-day virtual course.
Check DO700 course details.
Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization Track
OpenShift Virtualization lets you run and manage virtual machines alongside containers on OpenShift. Red Hat offers a dedicated skills path that you can stop early (VM administration only) or follow fully (migration, automation and advanced VM management).
Course – Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization Technical Overview (DO016)
A short overview of OpenShift Virtualization concepts and capabilities for anyone evaluating or starting with VMs on OpenShift.
Check DO016 course details.
Course – Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization Administration I: Operating Virtual Machines (DO156)
Covers the day-to-day operation of virtual machines on OpenShift Virtualization.
Check DO156 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Technologist in OpenShift Virtualization exam (EX156)
An optional, entry-level (Level 1 Technologist) exam for OpenShift Virtualization.
Check EX156 exam details.
Course – Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization Administration II: Configuring Production Virtual Machines (DO256)
Builds on DO156 with configuring virtual machines for production use on OpenShift.
Check DO256 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Virtualization exam (EX316)
Validates your ability to plan, deploy and manage virtual machines using the OpenShift Virtualization operator. Completing DO156 and DO256 fulfills the recommended preparation.
Check EX316 exam details.
Course – Automate and Manage Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization with Ansible (DO336)
Teaches you to automate OpenShift Virtualization virtual machine management using Ansible.
Check DO336 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Specialist in Automating OpenShift Virtual Machine Management exam (EX336)
Validates your skills in automating virtual machine management on OpenShift. DO336 is the matching course.
Check EX336 exam details.
Red Hat OpenShift Administrator Specializations
These courses and exams can be taken in any order, based on your role. Several of the exams count as specialist electives toward RHCA in OpenShift.
Course – Configuring and Managing Red Hat OpenShift Networking (DO282)
Focused on configuring and managing OpenShift cluster networking.
Check DO282 course details.
Course – Building a Sovereign Cloud with Red Hat OpenShift (DO505)
Covers building a sovereign cloud platform using Red Hat OpenShift.
Check DO505 course details.
Course – Securing Kubernetes Clusters with Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security (DO430)
Teaches you to secure Kubernetes and OpenShift clusters using Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security (ACS).
Check DO430 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Advanced Cluster Security exam (EX430)
Validates your skills with Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security. DO430 is the matching course.
Check EX430 exam details.
Course – Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes Technical Overview (DO032)
A short overview of Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management (ACM) for multicluster Kubernetes management.
Check DO032 course details.
Course – Multicluster Management with Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes (DO432)
Teaches you to manage multiple Kubernetes and OpenShift clusters using Red Hat ACM.
Check DO432 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Advanced Cluster Management exam (EX432)
Validates your multicluster management skills with Red Hat ACM. DO432 is the matching course.
Check EX432 exam details.
Course – Enterprise Kubernetes Storage with Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation (DO370)
Teaches you to design, implement and manage OpenShift Data Foundation (ODF) storage for containerized workloads.
Check DO370 course details. A bundled course + exam version (DO371) is listed under Other OpenShift courses & Exam by Red Hat below.
Red Hat OpenShift Developer Track (Cloud-native Applications)
The OpenShift Developer track is designed for individuals who want to learn application development, deployment and management on the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. Under the 2026 framework, these certifications sit in the Cloud-native Applications track.
Course – Red Hat OpenShift for Developers Technical Overview (DO088)
A short, entry-level overview of OpenShift for developers and the starting point of the developer skills path.
Check DO088 course details.
Course – Red Hat OpenShift Development I: Introduction to Containers with Podman (DO188)
This course, Introduction to Containers with Podman (DO188), is designed for developers who want to learn how to build and manage containerized applications for Red Hat OpenShift. Through hands-on experience, you’ll gain the core skills needed to work with Podman, a lightweight container engine, and effectively deploy applications on OpenShift. These skills are valuable for any OpenShift environment, including Red Hat OpenShift on AWS (ROSA), Azure Red Hat OpenShift, and OpenShift Container Platform.
Info
Correction: an earlier version of this guide marked DO188 as retired. DO188 is active and is now based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, Podman 5, and Red Hat OpenShift 4.22.
Check DO188 Course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Developer in Cloud-native Applications exam (EX188) (formerly Red Hat Certified Specialist in Containers exam)
The EX188 exam validates your mastery of container fundamentals. You’ll demonstrate your ability to not only find and customize containerized services, but also confidently run and manage them in standalone environments. Under the 2026 framework, it is the Developer level (Level 2) exam in the Cloud-native Applications track. DO188 is the recommended preparation.
Check EX188 exam details.
Course – Red Hat OpenShift Developer II: Building and Deploying Cloud-native Applications (DO288) (formerly Red Hat OpenShift Development II: Containerizing Applications)
The DO288 course will teach you how to develop, build and deploy the containerized application in the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. You will learn how to containerize an application for the platform, build the container images using OpenShift native methods such as source-to-image etc, how to deploy multi-container applications etc. You will also learn different deployment strategies, application scaling, integration etc. If you are new to containers, it is recommended to complete DO188 (or DO180) before attending the DO288 course.
Check DO288 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Advanced Developer in Cloud-native Applications exam (EX288) (formerly Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Application Development)
The EX288 exam will measure your skill and knowledge in managing containerized application development, build and deployment using the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. It is highly recommended to complete the DO288 course before attending the EX288 exam if you are new to application development in the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform.
Check EX288 exam details.
Course – Building Resilient Microservices with Istio and Red Hat OpenShift Service Mesh (DO328)
The DO328 course is for those individuals who want to learn microservice management in the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform using service mesh. You will learn how to install, monitor and manage microservices with Red Hat OpenShift Service Mesh.
Check DO328 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Specialist in Building Resilient Microservices exam (EX328)
The EX328 will test your skill and knowledge in creating and managing a resilient mesh of microservices, using the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform and Red Hat OpenShift Service Mesh. It is highly recommended to complete the DO288 and DO328 courses before this EX328 exam if you are new to the OpenShift platform and service mesh technologies.
Check EX328 exam details.
Course – Quarkus Technical Overview (DO078)
A short introduction to Quarkus, the Kubernetes-native Java framework, before moving to DO378.
Check DO078 course details.
Course – Red Hat Cloud-native Microservices Development with Quarkus (DO378)
The DO378 course will teach you how to deploy microservice applications on the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. You will learn the details about building microservices using Quarkus, configuring applications with secrets, testing applications, implementing monitoring, health checks etc.
Check DO378 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Specialist in Cloud-native Development exam (EX378) (formerly Red Hat Certified Cloud-Native Developer)
Validates your skills in building cloud-native microservices with Quarkus. DO378 is the matching course.
Check EX378 exam details.
OpenShift AI Courses
Course – Developing and Deploying AI/ML Applications on Red Hat OpenShift AI (AI267)
Developing and Deploying AI/ML Applications on Red Hat OpenShift AI (AI267) provides students with the fundamental knowledge about using Red Hat OpenShift for developing and deploying AI/ML applications. This course helps students build core skills for using Red Hat OpenShift AI to train, develop and deploy machine learning models through hands-on experience.
Check AI267 course details.
Exam – Red Hat Certified Developer in AI exam (EX267) (formerly Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift AI)
The EX267 exam tests candidates’ ability to deploy OpenShift AI and configure it to build, deploy and manage machine learning models to support AI enabled applications. Under the 2026 framework, it sits in the AI track.
Check EX267 exam details.
Other OpenShift courses & Exam by Red Hat
- DO371 – Enterprise Kubernetes Storage with Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation and exam (DO370 course bundled with the EX370 exam)
DO401 – Red Hat DevOps Pipelines and Processes: CI/CD with Jenkins(the current Red Hat OpenShift skills path lists DO400 instead, see below)- DO400 – Red Hat DevOps Pipelines and Processes: CI/CD with Jenkins, Git, and Test Driven Development (CI/CD pipelines, Git workflows and TDD for applications on OpenShift)
- EX370 – Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Data Foundation exam (validates ODF storage skills, an RHCA in OpenShift specialist elective)
EX482 – Red Hat Certified Specialist in Event-Driven Application Development exam(RETIRED)- EX380 – Red Hat Certified Advanced System Administrator in OpenShift exam (formerly Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Automation and Integration exam) (see the EX380 section in the Administration Track above)
Check the Red Hat training portal and all Red Hat courses and exams for more details.
OpenShift Courses – Learning and Practicing
Red Hat OpenShift Free Courses
There are many other free resources available on the internet to learn and practice OpenShift. You can start your OpenShift journey with these free Red Hat training programs and you can use Red Hat OpenShift Interactive Learning Portal to practice the OpenShift labs for free and just use your web browser. If you need more real cluster access, then check the free service called Developer Sandbox for Red Hat OpenShift and use it for practising OpenShift.
FREE – Containers, Kubernetes and Red Hat OpenShift Technical Overview (DO080)
DO080 is a free course offered by Red Hat to teach you about container technologies, Kubernetes and OpenShift basics. You will learn how to create container files, basic Kubernetes application deployment, OpenShift source-to-image concept etc. It is also the first step of the Red Hat OpenShift Administrator skills path.
Check DO080 course details.
FREE – Foundations of OpenShift
Getting started with OpenShift, or Kubernetes? Start with the foundations to get hands-on experience creating and deploying applications in Red Hat OpenShift using a no-cost OpenShift cluster through the Developer Sandbox for Red Hat OpenShift.
Check Foundations of OpenShift details.
Fundamentals of Red Hat OpenShift for Developers (Coursera)
A Red Hat Training course on Coursera that introduces deploying applications in the OpenShift ecosystem, covering Kubernetes and OpenShift concepts and application deployment through both the web console and the command line. You can audit the course materials, and a paid option is available if you want a Coursera certificate.
Other OpenShift Courses
OpenShift for the Absolute Beginners – Hands-on
A detailed introductory OpenShift course for absolute beginners by Mumshad Mannambeth and KodeKloud.
Check other recommended Kubernetes courses by the KodeKloud team.
FREE – Fundamentals of Containers, Kubernetes, and Red Hat OpenShift (edx)
A free Red Hat course on edX covering container basics, Kubernetes, and deploying containers on Red Hat OpenShift.
FREE – Introduction to Containers w/ Docker, Kubernetes & OpenShift
An introductory course covering containers, Docker, Kubernetes and OpenShift fundamentals.
FREE – OpenShift BootCamp by techbeatly
Openshift Bootcamp by School of DevOps (no longer accepting enrollments)
Practical OpenShift for Developers – OpenShift 4
A hands-on Udemy course on deploying and managing applications on OpenShift 4 from a developer’s perspective.
Happy Learning