RHCE
Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE, exam EX294) is a performance-based certification focused on automation of RHEL system administration using Ansible. Candidates must hold RHCSA and demonstrate the ability to write Ansible playbooks, roles, and templates to automate complex multi-system configurations in a live environment. RHCE is a high-value DevOps credential for senior Linux engineers building infrastructure automation.
RHCE Exam Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) |
| Governing Body | Red Hat |
| Number of Questions | 20 |
| Time Limit | 4 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% (210/300 points) |
| Exam Fee | $400 USD |
| Category | IT Certifications |
| C3RT App Available On | iPhone, iPad, and Mac |
| Official Source | Red Hat official website ↗ |
RHCE Content Areas and Domains
Domain areas are sourced from the Red Hat content outline.
Topics Covered
- ✓ Ansible Core Concepts — inventory, modules, tasks, handlers, variables
- ✓ Ansible Playbook Authoring — YAML syntax, play structure, task ordering
- ✓ Ansible Roles — role directory structure, defaults, tasks, templates, meta
- ✓ Ansible Vault — encrypting variables, files, and inline secrets
- ✓ Jinja2 Templating — filters, tests, loops, conditionals in templates
- ✓ Ansible Collections and Galaxy — installing, using community roles
- ✓ Managing RHEL Systems with Ansible — package management, service control, user management via playbooks
- ✓ Advanced Playbook Patterns — include_tasks, import_playbook, error handling, tags
How C3RT Helps You Pass the RHCE
Adaptive Practice
Questions adapt to your weak areas automatically so every study session on the RHCE is time well spent.
Diagnostic Mocks
Full-length mock exams timed to the real RHCE format with detailed score breakdowns by topic.
Mistake Bank
Every wrong answer is saved for targeted re-drill. The system resurfaces your mistakes until they stick.
Native on iOS & Mac
Built with SwiftUI, not a web wrapper. Instant load, offline support, hardware-speed rendering.
RHCE Frequently Asked Questions
What does RHCE stand for?
RHCE stands for Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE). It is administered by Red Hat.
Who administers the RHCE?
The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) (RHCE) is administered by Red Hat. For official information, visit the Red Hat website.
How many questions is the RHCE?
The RHCE consists of 20 questions. Candidates are given 4 hours to complete the exam.
What is the passing score for the RHCE?
The passing score for the RHCE is 70% (210/300 points), as set by Red Hat. Scoring methodology and passing standards may be updated periodically. Always verify current requirements with the governing body.
How much does the RHCE exam cost?
The RHCE exam fee is $400 USD. This fee is set by Red Hat and may vary by testing centre, region, or membership status. Additional fees for registration or rescheduling may apply.
Is RHCE required for RHCA?
Yes — the Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) requires earning 5 Red Hat certifications at the specialist level or above. RHCE is a prerequisite for many RHCA paths and is the most common second certification after RHCSA. It demonstrates the ability to automate Linux administration at scale.
What version of Ansible does RHCE EX294 test?
EX294 tests ansible-core (the community version) and Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform concepts. The exam focuses on core Ansible functionality — inventory, playbooks, roles, vault, and templates — rather than the full AAP enterprise features. As of RHEL 9, the exam uses ansible-core 2.14+.
How hard is RHCE compared to RHCSA?
RHCE is significantly harder — it requires strong Ansible proficiency in addition to RHCSA system administration skills. Candidates must write working Ansible playbooks from scratch under time pressure in a live environment. Most candidates spend 80–120 hours of focused Ansible practice on top of their RHCSA preparation.
Can I use Ansible documentation during the RHCE exam?
Yes — you have internet access during the exam for Red Hat documentation and ansible.com documentation. However, the 4-hour time limit means you cannot look up every detail. Knowing playbook syntax, common modules (package, service, user, copy, template, file), and role structure by memory is essential to complete all tasks in time.
C3RT is a native iOS and macOS exam preparation platform covering the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) (RHCE), a IT Certifications certification, administered by Red Hat. C3RT is not affiliated with or endorsed by Red Hat. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective organisations. For official exam registration, eligibility requirements, and content outlines, visit the Red Hat official website ↗ .