RHCSA --> RHCE

[AfricanPenguin]

So I just passed the RHCSA exam (RHEL7). Can I go for the RHCE in RHEL8 or would I need to first get RHCSA 8 certified?

[Alexandre]

Yes, you can I go for the RHCE in RHEL8.

[shubhbhat]

No, you can directly move to RHCE on RHEL 8, because RHEL 8 is slightly different form RHEL 7 so  it won't create problem.

[MikeA · Accepted solution]

As others have already said, you can take the RHCE for RHEL 8 having passed your RHCSA on RHEL 7.  The RHCE on RHEL 8 is really an Ansible exam.  What you need to study now is very different from what it has been traditionally.  If you are interested in automation, by all means take the RHEL 8 version.  If you are more interested in the more traditional sysadmin skills, take the RHEL 7 version before it is retired.  

[littlebigfab]

Hello :)

In addition to what others have already said, a RHEL8-based RHCE certificate is going to be renewable for much longer (until the future release of RHEL10 instead of RHEL9 for a RHEL7-based RHCE, which makes a difference of about 5 years).

You can renew RHCSA/RHCE certificates by passing any RHEL-related certificate of expertise, until the release of RHEL n+2.

It may matter if you plan on taking other exams in the next years (at least 1 exam every 3 years).

This is one more reason to go with the RHEL8-based exam ;)