Ansible Certification Guide: EX374 and EX467 Exam Prep (2026)

Ansible Certification: Your Complete Guide

Red Hat offers performance-based certification exams for Ansible automation. This guide covers the current exams, what to study, and how to prepare.

See also: Top 50 Ansible Interview Questions and Answers (2026)

Current Ansible Certifications

EX374: Red Hat Certified Specialist in Developing Automation with Ansible Automation Platform

Replaces: EX407 (Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation) and EX294 (RHCE with Ansible)

Duration: 4 hours Format: Performance-based (hands-on tasks, no multiple choice) Cost: ~$450 USD

Topics covered:

• Develop Ansible playbooks
• Create and use roles
• Work with Ansible Automation Platform
• Use automation controller (AWX/Tower)
• Create execution environments
• Manage content collections
• Work with automation mesh
• Implement CI/CD for automation

EX467: Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation

Duration: 4 hours Format: Performance-based Cost: ~$450 USD

Topics covered:

• Automate network devices with Ansible
• Use network-specific modules
• Manage network configurations
• Parse network command output
• Use Jinja2 templates for network configs
• Implement network backup and restore

Exam Preparation

Study Topics for EX374

1. Ansible Core Skills
2. Write multi-play playbooks
3. Use variables, facts, and conditionals
4. Implement loops and handlers
5. Error handling with blocks
6. Use Jinja2 templates and filters
7. Work with Ansible Vault

1. Roles and Collections
2. Create and use roles
3. Install collections from Galaxy/Hub
4. Use FQCN (Fully Qualified Collection Names)
5. Create requirements.yml

1. Automation Platform
2. Navigate the Controller UI
3. Create job templates and workflows
4. Manage inventories and credentials
5. Set up projects from SCM
6. Configure RBAC

1. Advanced Topics
2. Create execution environments
3. Use ansible-navigator
4. Implement automation mesh
5. Content signing and verification

Study Plan (8 Weeks)

Week	Focus Area	Practice
1-2	Ansible fundamentals	Write 10 playbooks from scratch
3	Roles and collections	Create 3 custom roles
4	Vault and security	Encrypt/decrypt practice
5	Jinja2 and filters	Template 5 config files
6	Automation Platform	Set up AWX, create workflows
7	Execution environments	Build custom EEs
8	Practice exams	Timed exercises

Recommended Resources

1. Official Red Hat training — DO374 (Developing Automation with Ansible)
2. Ansible documentation — docs.ansible.com
3. AnsiblePilot — 800+ free tutorials at ansiblepilot.com
4. Practice labs — Set up a home lab with VMs or containers
5. Red Hat Developer — Free RHEL subscription for practice

Tips for Exam Day

1. Time management — 4 hours sounds long but goes fast. Prioritize easy tasks first.
2. Read questions carefully — Performance-based exams have specific requirements.
3. Test your work — Run playbooks and verify output before moving on.
4. Use ansible-doc — The documentation is available during the exam.
5. Don't memorize, understand — You need to solve problems, not recall syntax.
6. Practice under time pressure — Do timed exercises before the exam.

Is Ansible Certification Worth It?

Pros

• Validates skills to employers
• Red Hat certifications are industry-recognized
• Performance-based = proves real ability
• Career advancement and salary negotiation leverage

Cons

• $450+ per attempt
• Requires real hands-on practice
• Must recertify (3 years)

Salary Impact

Certified Ansible engineers typically earn 10-20% more than non-certified peers. The certification signals competence to hiring managers.

FAQ

Do I need RHCSA before taking the Ansible exam?

No prerequisite certifications are required. However, RHCSA-level Linux knowledge is expected.

Can I use documentation during the exam?

Yes. ansible-doc and local documentation are available. Internet access is not.

How many times can I retake the exam?

You can retake after a waiting period. Check Red Hat's retake policy.

Is EX294 still available?

EX294 has been retired and replaced by EX374, which covers Ansible Automation Platform (not just Ansible Engine).

See also: Why Every IT Professional, Quiet Quitter or Not, Should Learn Ansible

Conclusion

Ansible certification demonstrates practical automation skills that employers value. Focus on hands-on practice — the exam is entirely performance-based.

Start your preparation with the 800+ free tutorials at AnsiblePilot.

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