3 Popular Options for DevOps Foundation Certification

DevOps plays a crucial role in software development teams, and the need for DevOps experts is constantly growing. According to Statista, DevOps is among the top skills worldwide that recruiters demand for technical positions [1]. 

Earning a DevOps foundation certification can help you set yourself apart from job applicants, increase your salary potential, and make you a more knowledgeable team member. As more companies evaluate their DevOps strategies, they're actively looking for DevOps professionals who can help improve efficiency and collaboration. Gartner estimates that roughly 80 percent of organizations will incorporate a DevOps platform into their development toolchains by 2027, a 25 percent increase from 2023 [2]. 

When you're thinking about building your DevOps skills, starting with a foundation-level certification can be a smart move. Explore what "DevOps foundation" means and what your certification options include.

What is DevOps foundation?

DevOps foundation typically refers to developing a foundational understanding of DevOps culture, principles, and practices. This may include learning core principles and understanding the frameworks, toolchains, and metrics needed to succeed. You’ll often see this term used in entry-level certifications, such as the DevOps Foundation (DOFD) from the DevOps Institute and learning paths like Microsoft Azure, which includes the Azure Fundamentals certification, both of which introduce key principles and practices for those new to the field. Since DevOps is a broad philosophy and practice with numerous roles, it’s important to gain a strong foundation for its tools and understand how it’s constantly evolving. 

Learning DevOps foundational skills can take on many forms. Online courses are available as well as tutorials and personal projects, where you can gain practical skills. However, certification remains an effective and industry-recognized method for grasping key DevOps concepts and putting them into action. Choosing the right credential typically depends on your experience and what systems you hope to work with. If you’re unsure where to start, explore job postings for jobs you aspire to take on and see what certifications or credentials they typically require. 

3 options for DevOps certification + one certificate

The following three certifications and one certificate offer you different approaches to building a foundation in DevOps. Certifications typically involve a formal exam and may carry industry recognition, while a certificate program is designed to build practical skills through guided coursework. Some focus on core concepts and terminology, while others emphasize practical experience. Understanding what each one offers and how it aligns with your goals can help you choose the right starting point.

1. Azure DevOps foundation certification: Azure Fundamentals

The Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals certification is designed for beginners and introduces key cloud computing concepts. It focuses particularly on Microsoft Azure and can help you prepare to contribute to Azure DevOps teams and projects.

  Requirements: No experience is required; however, Microsoft recommends a basic understanding of cloud computing and Azure systems.

Cost: $99 [3]

Who should take this exam?

Those looking to work in cloud computing, especially in Microsoft Azure DevOps systems.

What’s on the exam?

The exam covers cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance [3].

How to prepare for the exam: Microsoft offers a study guide that reviews exam basics, key concepts, and study tips. Some other helpful resources include:

• Self-paced courses from Microsoft tailored directly to Azure fundamentals covered on the exam 

• Documentation available online, where you can specifically learn about Azure frameworks and dive in-depth into topics

• Azure online forums, where you can get questions answered

2. DevOps Foundation (DOFD)

The DevOps Institute conducts the DevOps Foundation course and certification to provide developers an opportunity to learn basic DevOps concepts, terminology, principles, and tools. This is one of the more popular foundation certifications and is well-recognized among industry professionals. It is helpful for individuals looking for a general certification and learning experience for the fundamentals of DevOps. It may also be valuable for teams looking to become more efficient in DevOps practices and improve their collaboration. 

You may take the exam online without purchasing the course. However, the DevOps Institute also partners with several training companies to offer the course and exam together. As of May 2025, the DOFD certification is valid for three years after completing the exam. 

Requirements: The course and exam have no formal requirements, but the DevOps Institute recommends being familiar with IT terminology.

Cost: $270 for the exam through the DevOps Institute/PeopleCert [4]. The cost to take the course and exam together varies based on the training partner.

Who should take this exam? Consider this certification if you're looking for a general introduction to DevOps or to earn a general certification on DevOps principles. This may include those looking for roles as a DevOps leader, software developer, DevOps tester, or DevOps engineer.

What’s on the exam? The exam tests the DevOps CALMS Values, which include culture, automation, lean, measurement, and sharing. Some key concepts include: continuous flow, continuous improvements, continuous integration, CI/CD toolchains, and DevOps frameworks, such as Agile.

How to prepare for the exam: If you decide to complete the course and exam together, you’ll typically learn all relevant material from your training organization. Partners can be found through PeopleCert and the DevOps Institute. If you want more self-paced learning and to take the exam online, some study options include a combination of:

• Online study guides offered through PeopleCert

• Online courses, such as IBM’s Introduction to DevOps on Coursera

• Tutorials or books, such as the “DevOps Handbook” by Gene Kim

3. DevSecOps Foundation (DSOF)

This certification from the DevOps Institute focuses more on the security side of DevOps. It aims to teach both individuals and businesses fundamental DevOps security principles and strategies in software development. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how DevSecOps fits into DevOps as a whole and how you can implement security features into your current DevOps practices. 

Requirements: There are no formal requirements, but the DevOps Institute recommends a baseline knowledge and understanding of common DevOps definitions and principles [5].

Cost: $270 for the exam through the DevOps Institute/PeopleCert [6]. The cost to take the course and exam together varies based on the training partner.

Who should take this exam? Those involved or interested in DevSecOps or looking to increase their knowledge of security measures in DevOps processes. Some job roles that might seek out the DSOF certification include DevOps engineers, IT security professionals, QA engineers, and software testers.

What’s on the exam? The exam covers DevSecOps principles, including best practices and security strategies. It also touches on the cyber threat landscape, as well as enhancing communication among security and DevOps teams.

How to prepare for the exam: Similar to the DevOps Foundation certification, you’ll typically learn all relevant material from your training organization if you decide to complete the course and exam together. Partners can be found through PeopleCert and the DevOps Institute. If you want more self-paced learning and to take the exam online, some study options include a combination of:

• Sample documents and training materials offered through the DevOps Institute

• Online courses, such as IBM’s Application Security for Developers and DevOps Professionals

• Learning resources through SKILup IT offered by PeopleCert and the DevOps Institute that cover several key concepts on the exam

Bonus: IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate

Learn job-ready skills and earn a career credential from IBM with the DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate on Coursera. This series is tailored toward beginners and includes 15 courses on DevOps philosophies and applications. You’ll learn DevOps frameworks like Agile and Scrum and create applications using Python. The goal of the Professional Certificate is to learn more about the DevOps mindset while gaining practical skills and building a portfolio to show employers.

Requirements: There are no formal requirements or prerequisites.

Cost: Professional Certificates start at $49 per month [7]. The certificate is also available through Coursera Plus, which includes access to 10,000 additional courses and Professional Certificates for a monthly fee of $59 or an annual fee of $399 [8].

Who should take this series? This certificate is for those looking to gain an introduction to DevOps and its applications. Since it is a general course series, it’s suited for DevOps engineers, software developers, and any other role that might use DevOps principles.

What’s included in the Professional Certificate? It includes 15 courses that help you develop skills in various DevOps philosophies and methodologies. This includes Agile development, cloud architecture, and zero-downtime deployment.

How to prepare: Since this is a Professional Certificate and not a certification exam, you do not need to prepare outside of enrolling for the first course. 

Jobs for DevOps foundation certification holders

DevOps foundation certifications touch on the general principles and concepts, so they can apply to various DevOps roles. Below are examples of jobs you can get with a DevOps foundations certification, along with their average annual salaries.

• DevOps engineer: $114,010

• Cloud DevOps engineer: $121,724

• DevOps architect: $131,790

• Azure DevOps engineer: $127,538

• QA engineer: $81,213

• Software tester: $72,466

• DevSecOps engineer: $123,157

• DevOps manager: $139,349

Salary data sourced from Glassdoor as of May 2025 and represents the average base salary. It does not include additional compensation, such as profit sharing, bonuses, and tips. 

Prepare for DevOps foundation certification online on Coursera

DevOps foundation certifications can help you improve your knowledge and set you apart from other professionals. Discover more about foundational DevOps principles and key concepts with the IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate on Coursera. This beginner-friendly Professional Certificate covers common DevOps philosophies that will likely appear on certification exams and allows you to develop relevant skills. If you want a more advanced program, explore the IBM Applied DevOps Engineering Professional Certificate. This nine-course series is at an intermediate level to gain more technical experience through hands-on labs and projects.