Canonical has announced Canonical Academy during its virtual event Ubuntu Summit, a platform designed for professionals and companies to officially accredit their skills in Linux and open source technologies. The initiative was born from Ubuntu itself and is aimed at validating knowledge with tests designed by the engineers who develop the distribution.
In addition to its technical approach, the proposal comes with a format modulate at your own pace, with digital badges awarded upon reaching each milestone. The first available path is the SysAdmin exam, with one exam already open and two in beta for community testing, while the fourth module is in preparation. Canonical has not yet detailed pricing, although it is alluded to discounted rates for certain participation profiles.
What is Canonical Academy and what is its purpose?
The platform seeks to offer practical accreditations based on actual work tasks, moving away from pure memorization. The exams are designed to replicate everyday IT scenarios—configuration, diagnostics, permissions, or system management—and have been defined and maintained by the technical team behind Ubuntu, with reviews from industry experts.
SysAdmin Itinerary: Modules and Availability
The initial tour of Sysadmin It consists of four exams. Today, the one that can be taken publicly is Using Linux TerminalWhile Using Ubuntu Desktop y Using Ubuntu Server are in beta and open to the community for testing. The fourth module, Managing Complex Systems, is still in preparation and will be announced later.
To obtain the official SysAdmin qualification you will have to pass the four exams of the itinerary. Those who succeed will receive a verifiable digital badge which they can show to employers and colleagues as evidence of their level of knowledge of Linux and Ubuntu.
Test duration, syllabus and versions
Each exam will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes and is based on official Canonical content. All current modules align with Ubuntu LTS 24.04; when the next LTS (26.04) arrives, syllabi and questions will be updated to reflect the changes, and module names will change from “2024” to “2026” to indicate the current state of certification.
The badges include the year of the reference LTS, a useful detail for human resources in Europe, as it makes it easier to distinguish recent certificates from older ones without having to manually verify the content.
Official guides and evaluation format
To prepare, each exam incorporates a study guide tailored to the official content, allowing for efficient learning without deviating into secondary topics. The approach is eminently practical: modular assessments, self-managed and designed to fit into demanding schedules.
Prices, access and the role of the community
Canonical has not yet communicated the cost of the exams or full certification. The announcement mentions “discounted rates,” suggesting that there will be a public price and possible reductions for certain groups, such as those participating in the beta.
The company invites you to register as Subject Matter Expert (SME) or as a tester. SMEs help define syllabi and guide future evaluations, while testers test and provide feedback about the exams in development and can access full evaluations at reduced prices. All information and access are available at the Official site.
Context of the announcement and availability in Europe
The launch took place during the Ubuntu Summit, broadcast online from Canonical's London office. As a digital and self-assessment platform, its scope is European and global, with special interest for technical profiles in Spain seeking to endorse experience with verifiable credentials recognized by the Ubuntu publisher.
Impact for professionals and companies in Spain
For professionals, Canonical Academy offers a clear path to measure and demonstrate Linux system administration skills, with a brand widely used in corporate environments. For businesses, it makes it easier to map internal competencies, plan role-based training, and align team progression with modular, LTS-cycle-updated badges.
Anyone who wants to get started can start by Using Linux Terminal, now available to the public. With the Desktop and Server modules in beta, and the examination of complex systems on the way, the SysAdmin path proposes a progressive route, with digital badges, 60-90 minute exams and syllabi that evolve with each LTS to keep certifications current.