CompTIA on Wedneday launched the beta exam for its latest version of the CompTIA Linux+ credential, an internationally recognized, vendor-neutral validation of the technical competencies required of early- to mid-career IT professionals who use Linux.

The new exam was created according to CompTIA’s test-development process. It’s based on input from Linux subject-matter experts from the United States, Europe, Australia, Central America and South America.

“Linux has a strong and growing presence in large-scale, distributed cloud platforms, in nearly all security appliances, in most devices that provide network functionality, in smartphones, tablets, smart appliances, GPS devices, car navigation systems, and hundreds of other internet-of-things (IoT) devices, and in high-performance computing clusters,” said Kristin Ludwig, CompTIA’s director of product management. “It has become a core skill set for technology professionals. The new CompTIA Linux+ exam reflects this reality.”

CompTIA’s Kristin Ludwig

Among the notable changes, test takers must pass only one exam to become CompTIA Linux+ certified, as opposed to passing two separate exams with the current version.

The beta exam also includes performance-based questions and hands-on simulations that reflect real-world scenarios that IT professionals encounter when working with Linux in an enterprise environment, CompTIA said.

“The new exam has a sharper focus on the most highly relevant Linux skills,” Ludwig said. “It’s written for today’s times. We’ve increased the emphasis on security, Git revisions, virtualization and other competencies that today’s technology professionals must have.”

Unlike vendor-specific certifications, CompTIA Linux+ covers multiple distributions, validating skills aimed at preventing platform lock-in and promoting more flexible approaches to Linux system troubleshooting. Concepts covered by the exam include system configuration; command line interface; scripting basics; network settings and services; and system security.

Technology professionals who would benefit from the credential include Linux administrators, network administrators, systems administrators, intrusion detection technicians, penetration testers, Linux developers, mobile app developers, storage engineers, Hadoop administrators, network support specialists and technical support specialists, CompTIA said.

The IT industry association recommends that test takers have nine to 12 months of hands-on experience configuring, monitoring and supporting physical and virtual Linux servers.

The beta exam, which costs $50, is available globally in English. Test takers will be notified of their results next April after the launch of the official exam. Individuals who earn a passing score will become CompTIA Linux+ certified.

You can register for the beta exam here. Exam objectives are available here.

Last month, CompTIA launched CompTIA PenTest+, its newest credential for cybersecurity professionals around the world.