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The Linux Foundation Candidate Handbook is the official preparation and policy guide for certification exams delivered through PSI BRIDGE. It explains scheduling, identity checks, computer and room requirements, remote-proctoring check-in, permitted resources, conduct rules, scoring, retakes, and support.
Use it together with your exam’s current exam checklist, specific resource policy, Important Instructions, the Global Certification and Confidentiality Agreement, and PSI’s system requirements. The handbook is a delivery and compliance guide—not a study guide—and exam-specific instructions control wherever they differ.
Who needs the Linux Foundation Candidate Handbook?
The handbook is relevant if you have purchased, or are preparing to purchase, a Linux Foundation certification exam that uses PSI BRIDGE. It is especially useful for candidates taking exams such as CKA, CKAD, CKS, LFCS, LFCA, CNPE, and other Linux Foundation assessments delivered through the PSI proctoring workflow.
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- Complete the prerequisites before scheduling.
- Book, reschedule, or cancel an appointment.
- Check whether your computer, operating system, webcam, microphone, network, and room are suitable.
- Prepare identification and resolve a name mismatch.
- Understand the PSI BRIDGE check-in process.
- Determine which documentation and tools your particular exam permits.
- Handle a failed check-in, delayed result, or eligible retake.
The Linux Foundation maintains separate guidance for certification programs and exam types, including LFCS, CKA/CKAD/CKS, CNPE, multiple-choice exams, ICA, and SkillCred assessments. Start at the certification documentation index to locate your exam’s current instructions.
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Complete these four steps before scheduling
The current Linux Foundation checklist identifies four prerequisites:
- Accept the Global Candidate Agreement.
- Complete identity verification.
- Confirm your operating system.
- Confirm the testing-location requirements.
After these steps are complete, the Schedule button generally becomes available within approximately 30 minutes. Complete them well before exam day: being eligible to schedule does not prove that your computer and room are ready for a live proctored session.
Check the verified name in your Linux Foundation account at this stage. It must match the identification you will present later. Fix spelling, ordering, punctuation, abbreviation, or diacritic differences before booking.
How scheduling works
- Sign in to the Linux Foundation portal.
- Open the preparation checklist for your purchased exam.
- Complete the required setup items.
- Select Schedule.
- Continue to PSI’s scheduling site.
- Choose an available date and time, then confirm the reservation.
- Add the appointment to your calendar and record the time zone.
According to the current Certification FAQ, an exam registration is valid for 12 months from purchase. A reservation requires at least 24 hours’ lead time. You may cancel or reschedule only while more than 24 hours remain before the scheduled start time. At 24 hours or less, changes are not allowed and you may forfeit the attempt.
Appointments can be limited, so schedule early. The calendar’s available forward window and displayed dates can change; rely on the dates shown in the PSI scheduler rather than an old description of how far ahead it should go.
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Do not schedule your first attempt on the final days of the registration period if a retake might be necessary. Results must be processed before retake eligibility is determined, and a retake still needs to be scheduled with the required lead time.
Computer and PSI Secure Browser requirements
The handbook identifies PSI BRIDGE as the delivery platform and PSI Secure Browser as the secure exam browser. Run the official system check using the actual computer and network you plan to use. The relevant Candidate Requirements page is the authority for current compatibility details.
Prepare this setup
- A supported computer and operating system. Linux is not specifically required; use a supported operating system.
- A working webcam that can show you and, when requested, the testing area.
- A working microphone and suitable audio.
- A stable internet connection.
- A supported browser for downloading or launching the secure browser.
- Permission to install and run PSI software.
- A laptop connected to power for the entire session.
Restrictions that commonly cause problems
- No virtual machines: a compatibility checker passing does not make a virtual-machine session permissible.
- One active display: only one monitor may be used. An external monitor can replace the laptop display, but both displays must not be used simultaneously.
- Managed computers: corporate firewalls, antivirus tools, endpoint controls, VPNs, remote-desktop software, screen-sharing tools, or application restrictions may block installation or delivery.
- Webcam mobility: a built-in camera may work, but it can be difficult to move a laptop far enough to complete a room scan while keeping the image usable. An independently movable webcam may help if it meets the current requirements.
Test the exact arrangement—not merely a different computer or home network. If you use an external display or webcam, test that configuration before exam day.
Prepare the testing room
The handbook requires a private, walled room where you will not be disturbed. Coffee shops, stores, open offices, and other public or shared locations are not acceptable.
Before launching check-in:
- Clear the desk and the area around and beneath it.
- Remove paper, notebooks, writing instruments, course manuals, and loose printouts.
- Move phones, smartwatches, tablets, and unrelated electronics away from the workstation.
- Remove or cover non-decorative notes and papers on walls.
- Close unrelated applications and browser windows.
- Ensure nobody else will enter the room.
- Use front-facing lighting and avoid a bright window behind you.
- Keep background noise low.
- Position the webcam so you remain visible and can show the surroundings when requested.
Proctoring guidance says you may be required to show your surroundings and disable prohibited software before the exam is released. Do not wait until the proctor asks you to discover that the room contains notes or devices.
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ID and exact name matching
Bring a non-expired government-issued primary ID that satisfies the current Linux Foundation identification policy. The name on the ID must exactly match the verified name in the exam checklist.
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Check the name before scheduling. If it is wrong, contact the appropriate Linux Foundation support channel and resolve it in advance. Do not rely on a nickname or assume an expired document will be accepted. Because accepted-document rules can change, use the current identification policy rather than a copied list from an older article.
What happens during PSI BRIDGE check-in?
The Take Exam button becomes available about 30 minutes before the scheduled exam time according to the current checklist. Check-in itself can take up to approximately 30 minutes. The exam content and timer are not released until the required checks are complete.
The process may include:
- Accepting the Linux Foundation Certification and Confidentiality Agreement.
- Presenting your government ID to the proctor or system.
- Taking or submitting a candidate photograph or selfie.
- Showing your workstation and surrounding environment with the webcam.
- Confirming hardware and software conditions.
- Closing or disabling prohibited applications.
- Waiting for approval before the exam begins.
Stay patient during this window. A proctor facilitates check-in and monitors the session; they are not expected to solve the technical tasks in a performance-based exam.
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Remote proctoring is an active compliance process, not just a login screen. The handbook and applicable exam policy may prohibit or restrict the following:
- Anyone other than the registered candidate being in the room.
- Communication with another person or outside party.
- Leaving the camera view without permission.
- Reading questions aloud or talking to yourself.
- Phones, smartwatches, tablets, and other external devices.
- Notes, paper, notepads, course manuals, and unauthorized documentation.
- Personal bookmarks, unauthorized tabs, windows, or applications.
Follow the proctor’s instructions and the exam-specific rules even if a general FAQ uses broader language. Suspicious behavior or a policy violation can result in score cancellation, certification revocation, or restrictions on future exams.
Which resources are allowed?
Do not use “open book” as a blanket description. The allowed-resource policy depends on the exam. The current FAQ identifies these resources as generally permitted for applicable exams when accessed within the exam console and used independently:
| Generally permitted for applicable exams | Generally forbidden or restricted |
|---|---|
| Man pages | External websites |
Distribution documentation such as /usr/share/doc/ |
Text-based email and communication with other people |
| Packages included in the distribution | Phones and other external devices |
| Packages installed by the candidate where the exam policy permits them | Notes, course manuals, notepads, and unauthorized documentation |
| Exam-provided documentation links where available | Internet browsing through tools such as Vim or Emacs |
Some Kubernetes exams may provide quick-reference documentation links inside the exam environment. That does not authorize external browsing or personal bookmarks. Read the current Resources Allowed or Important Instructions page for your exact exam before launch.
Exam-specific differences matter
The handbook cannot establish one universal passing score, duration, question count, task count, resource policy, retake arrangement, simulator entitlement, language list, or renewal period. Performance-based exams and multiple-choice exams may have materially different interfaces and rules.
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For example, the FAQ states that there is no universal Linux Foundation passing score. For CKS, the current FAQ also states that CKA must be passed before attempting the exam. Confirm prerequisites and scoring in your program’s own instructions.
Results, certificates, and retakes
Exams are generally scored automatically, and the current FAQ says a score report is normally emailed within 24 hours, barring technical difficulties or other exceptions. Results should also appear in the Linux Foundation portal.
The portal’s results area may show:
- Your achieved score and a View Certificate option after a pass.
- A retake option when one is available.
- An option to activate another purchased exam, if applicable.
Do not confuse the score with formal certification documentation. The handbook’s pass-notification guidance says a successful certification notice may be emailed within three business days after all program requirements are met and may include a Certificate ID, download instructions, and certification marks.
A retake is available only if you are eligible and the first attempt has been graded No Pass. There is currently no enforced waiting period for an eligible retake, but results must be processed first and the retake must be scheduled within the original purchase period and with the required lead time.
Troubleshooting and recovery
Before exam day
- Run the PSI system check on the intended computer and network.
- Test the webcam, microphone, speakers, secure browser, and room-scan position.
- Use a non-virtual-machine setup.
- Confirm that only one display is active.
- Connect the laptop to power.
- Test whether firewall, VPN, antivirus, endpoint-security, or browser restrictions interfere.
- Prefer a personal, unmanaged computer and reliable network when permitted and practical.
If check-in fails
- Read the PSI error message carefully.
- Re-run the compatibility check.
- Close prohibited applications and browser windows.
- Check camera and microphone permissions.
- Restart the computer or secure browser if instructed.
- Contact PSI support for platform, browser, or check-in problems.
- Contact Linux Foundation Training & Certification Support for registration, eligibility, policy, scoring, or account issues.
Keep screenshots, error messages, timestamps, and your appointment details. They make a support request more actionable.
If your result is delayed
Check spam and promotions folders, then check the Linux Foundation portal. Allow for technical or manual-review exceptions. If the stated processing window has passed, contact support through the official Linux Foundation support route.
Quick Recap
Final readiness checklist
Account and appointment
- Exam is visible in the Linux Foundation portal.
- Candidate agreement and identity verification are complete.
- Verified name exactly matches the intended government ID.
- Registration remains within its 12-month validity period.
- Appointment is more than 24 hours away if a change might be needed.
- Time zone and appointment are saved to your calendar.
Computer
- Supported operating system and no virtual machine.
- PSI system check passed on the intended setup.
- PSI Secure Browser installed and launch-tested.
- Webcam and microphone work.
- Only one active monitor is connected or enabled.
- Laptop is connected to power.
- Network and security software do not block the session.
Room and rules
- Private, quiet, well-lit room.
- No other person will enter.
- Desk, floor area, and walls are clear of unauthorized materials.
- Phone, smartwatch, notes, and unrelated electronics are removed.
- Webcam can show you and the required surroundings.
- Exam-specific resource and conduct policies have been reviewed.
- You will not use external websites, personal bookmarks, communications, or unauthorized applications.
Official resources
- Linux Foundation Candidate Handbook
- Candidate Requirements
- Linux Foundation Exam Checklist
- Certification FAQ
- Proctoring guidance
- Certification documentation index
- Linux Foundation certification catalog
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