Updates to the F5 Certified Administrator, BIG-IP Certification (F5-CA, BIG-IP)

Beginning May 1 2025, the exams required to achieve the F5 Certified Administrator, BIG-IP (F5-CA, BIG-IP) certification will be changing.

• The 101 Application Delivery Fundamentals exam retired April 30, 2025.
• The 201 TMOS Administration exam will only be available to candidates who are currently eligible for the exam. 201 eligibility will not change. Candidates who are eligible for the 201 exam will continue to have access to the exam for the regular 24 month eligibility time frame. 

The 101 + 201 exam structure was modified based on candidate feedback and input from our community of subject matter experts. The newly refreshed Certified Administrator, BIG-IP credential is comprised of five exams with one topic per exam.

Candidates must pass all 5 exams to achieve Certified Administrator, BIG-IP certification. These exams can be taken in any order:

BIG-IP Administration Install, Initial Configuration, and Upgrade

BIG-IP Administration Data Plane Concepts

BIG-IP Administration Data Plane Configuration

BIG-IP Administration Control Plane Administration

BIG-IP Administration Support and Troubleshooting

Why These Changes?

These updates ensure the F5 certification program remains aligned with the professional development goals of our candidates and the evolving needs of the industry. By updating exam content, modifying the renewal process, and implementing new exam delivery methods, we aim to provide valuable certifications to our candidates.

Updated Exam Content: We analyzed the 101 & 201 exams and made the necessary changes to exam topics, objectives, and questions to ensure the content is relevant, while adhering to the rigorous standards of our assessments. Instead of two, 90-minute exams, there are now five, 30-minute exams.

The new exams continue to focus on the specific knowledge, skills, and ability that a candidate should have in order to achieve certification and validate their knowledge of BIG-IP technology.

The majority of ADC content has been removed from the new exams, because there are other places in the market where individuals can gain that knowledge. Psychometric evaluations of the new exam format confirmed that the certification achieved by passing these five shorter exams is equal in validity to the current certification exam regime.

Online Exam Delivery: Candidates have been asking for online proctored versions of the BIG-IP exams for years. Thanks to advancements in technology and security, we now have the confidence to enable online exam delivery. Similar to the beta versions of the BIG-IP exams, the production version of the new exams will be available exclusively via Certiverse online delivery at first. The exams will be available at Pearson VUE test centers later this year.

How do I renew my F5-CA certification?

A Single Renewal Exam: To maintain the relevance and credibility of the F5-CA, BIG-IP a renewal exam is now available: F5 Certified Administrator, BIG-IP Recertification exam (F5CABR). This new exam replaces the 201 exam for renewing F5-CA certification. This means candidates in the F5-CA renewal period will need to take and pass the new F5CABR exam to refresh their certification status.

F5 Certified Administrator, BIG-IP Recertification exam details:

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Number of items: 50
• Passing score: 245
• Format: multiple choice
• Prerequisite: F5-CA, BIG-IP Certification (status: renew, grace period, or expired)
• Availability: Online proctor via Certiverse (Available in Pearson VUE testing centers in May 2025)

The renewal exam also applies to all candidates with an inactive and/or expired certification. Beginning March 2025, any candidate with an expired F5-CA certification can reactivate their status by passing the renewal exam, regardless of certification expiration date. Candidates no longer need to take the 101 exam to recertify. 

Alternately, a candidate can renew their F5-CA, BIG-IP certification by taking and passing the five BIG-IP Administration exams listed above.

How does this affect candidates currently working toward the Certified Administrator, BIG-IP credential?

Candidates who have not achieved the Certified Administrator, BIG-IP credential will earn certification by taking and passing the new BIG-IP Administration exams. This includes candidates who have not taken any F5 Certified exams and/or have failed the 101 exam.

Candidates who are currently eligible for the 201 exam (i.e. took and passed the 101 between April 2023 - April 2025) can take and pass the 201 exam to earn the certification. Please note, once the 101 exam has retired, the 201 will only be available to candidates who passed the 101 prior to April 30, 2025.

Alternatively, those candidates can choose to take the five BIG-IP Administration exams to earn their certification.

What Isn’t Changing?

• All certification paths still begin with the F5 Certified Administrator (F5-CA). There is no shortcut to the Certified Technology Specialist or Solution Expert certifications; everyone must earn the F5-CA.
• Certifications are still valid for two years from the date of achievement.
• The F5 Certified program is still a closed program and all candidates need to register in the Education Services Portal, previously known as the Candidate Portal.

For additional information about the F5 Certified program, see Important Updates to the F5 Certified Program