CompTIA’s last update to the Linux+ certification, the XK0-005 exam that launched in July 2022, has now been out long enough to judge, and honestly this refresh was needed for a while. The previous version was lagging behind where the Linux skill set is actually used in the industry and the updated XK0-005 objectives address that in a few meaningful ways.
What Changed in the CompTIA Linux+ Refresh?
The biggest additions are around containerization and automation, which are areas where Linux knowledge is absolutely essential but where the previous Linux+ exam barely touched. Working with Linux as the foundation for container workloads, understanding systemd more deeply, scripting and automation in a Linux context, and security hardening are all areas that got expanded coverage in the new objectives.
Networking and storage configuration have also been updated to reflect current practices rather than legacy approaches that most working Linux administrators deal with rarely if ever. This kind of content freshening matters because studying for an exam with outdated objectives and then entering a job that uses current tooling creates a real gap between credential and capability.
Is the Linux+ Worth It?
The Linux+ has always been an interesting credential in the CompTIA lineup because Linux skills are high-value but the certification has historically gotten less attention than Security+ or Network+. Part of that is because a lot of Linux professionals learn on the job and do not feel the need to formalize that knowledge with a vendor-neutral credential. Part of it is the presence of the Red Hat certifications for people who work specifically in RHEL environments.
CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Boot Camp
Instructor-led, with the exam voucher included.
Who Should Take the Updated Linux+?
The case for the updated Linux+ is strongest for people who work with Linux across multiple distributions and want a vendor-neutral credential that validates their skills, and for people in DevOps and cloud infrastructure roles where Linux is the operating environment for most of what they do. The CompTIA Linux+ page has the current exam objectives if you want to see the full scope before committing to this path.
The refresh makes this a more relevant credential than its predecessor was. (Update, 2026: CompTIA has since released Linux+ V8, exam XK0-006, which launched July 15, 2025.) Worth a look if Linux is central to your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current version of the CompTIA Linux+ exam?
As of 2026, the current Linux+ is V8, exam code XK0-006, which launched on July 15, 2025. CompTIA estimates it will retire around 2028, usually three years after launch.
How many questions are on the Linux+ exam and what is the passing score?
The Linux+ XK0-006 exam has a maximum of 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions with a 90-minute time limit. The passing score is 720 on a scale of 100 to 900.
What domains does Linux+ XK0-006 cover?
Linux+ V8 has five domains: System Management (23 percent), Troubleshooting (22 percent), Services and User Management (20 percent), Security (18 percent), and Automation, Orchestration, and Scripting (17 percent). System Management carries the most weight, so day-to-day administration tasks make up nearly a quarter of the exam.
Does the new Linux+ cover containers and automation?
Yes. Linux+ V8 includes operating container runtimes, managing images, and creating networks, plus automation with tools such as Ansible, Puppet, and CI/CD pipelines. It also covers Git version control and responsible use of AI for code generation.
What experience does CompTIA recommend before taking Linux+?
CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on experience with Linux servers. It also recommends CompTIA A+, Network+, or Server+, or comparable knowledge.
Related reading
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- Kubernetes Is Not Optional Anymore. Here's How to Certify.
Cody Davis is the Program Director for the certification courses on this site, where he oversees curriculum design and the overall learning experience. He holds several IT certifications and brings a practitioner's mindset to everything he builds. When he's not helping IT pros level up their careers, he's wrangling three kids and adding to a GI Joe collection that his family pretends not to notice.
