The Kubestronaut and Golden Kubestronaut programs are recognition programs for people who have earned multiple Kubernetes-related certifications. Both programs are managed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), not by the Linux Foundation directly, so questions about badges, jackets, vouchers, and program rules should go to the CNCF team at [email protected].
You can also find program details on CNCF's own pages:
How do I become a Kubestronaut?
To become a Kubestronaut, you need to hold all five Kubernetes-related certifications at the same time, and all five must be active (not expired). The five required certifications are:
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA)
Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate (KCSA)
Do I qualify for Kubestronaut status if I only have some of these five certifications, or if I have other CNCF certifications instead?
No. Holding only some of the five required certifications, or substituting other CNCF certifications (for example, Prometheus Certified Associate), does not make you eligible for Kubestronaut status. You need all five of the Kubernetes-related certifications listed above, active at the same time, and you'll need to pass any of the five you're missing before you can qualify.
Do all five certifications need to be active at the same time?
Yes. All five certifications (Certified Kubernetes Administrator, Certified Kubernetes Application Developer, Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist, Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate, and Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate) must be active and in good standing at the same time for you to hold Kubestronaut status. If even one has expired, you do not currently qualify, regardless of whether you passed it in the past.
Do the five certifications have to be earned within a specific time period?
No. There is no requirement that the five certifications be earned within a certain window of time or that they be passed after a certain date. The only requirement is that all five certifications are active at the same time you're evaluated for the program; when you originally passed each exam does not matter.
How do I become a Golden Kubestronaut?
To become a Golden Kubestronaut, you need to hold all CNCF certifications plus the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) certification, and all of them must be current (not expired) at the time you qualify.
What is the overall process to become a Kubestronaut?
The Kubestronaut program runs on a weekly cycle:
Early each week, the program automatically checks recent exam records and compiles a list of candidates who have newly become eligible (meaning all five required certifications are active).
If you're on that list, CNCF sends you an email with next steps and a short onboarding form. That form asks you to confirm basic profile details for your Kubestronaut listing and to accept the Standards of Excellence.
You need to submit the onboarding form within the same week to be included in that week's processing; if you miss that window, you'll be processed in the next weekly cycle instead.
Toward the end of the week, CNCF reviews submissions. Once approved, your Kubestronaut badge is issued, you're listed on the CNCF website, and you receive program benefits such as exam coupons.
What is the overall process to become a Golden Kubestronaut?
Golden Kubestronaut qualification is also processed weekly, but on a different and faster timeline than the standard Kubestronaut badge process described above:
Early in the week, CNCF confirms newly qualified Golden Kubestronauts.
Your public profile is updated with the gold frame, and CNCF sends you a welcome message the same day you're confirmed.
Within approximately two business days of confirmation, your Golden badge is issued and your access to the THRIVE-ONE subscription is enabled.
What happens if one of my certifications expires after I become a Kubestronaut?
You don't lose your Kubestronaut title immediately. Your Kubestronaut title stays valid until the end of the calendar year in which the first of your five required certifications expires. Here's how CNCF manages that expiration:
Every October, CNCF sends an expiration reminder email to all Kubestronauts whose status has already expired earlier that year, and to those whose status will expire before the end of that year.
If you don't renew the expired certification before the end of the year, you lose your Kubestronaut title and all associated benefits.
If you do maintain your status, CNCF issues your new voucher certifications in January of each year you remain qualified.
What happens if one of my certifications expires after I become a Golden Kubestronaut?
Once you earn Golden Kubestronaut status, you keep it for life. You continue to receive all Golden Kubestronaut benefits even if a certification later expires, with one exception: access to the THRIVE-ONE subscription requires that your underlying Kubestronaut title remain current (not expired). If you lose your Kubestronaut status because a required certification expired and you didn't renew it, you keep your other Golden Kubestronaut benefits but lose access to THRIVE-ONE and lose your Kubestronaut-specific benefits.
Do I need to do anything to maintain Golden Kubestronaut status when CNCF releases a new exam?
No. Once you become a Golden Kubestronaut, you don't need to pass new certifications or recertify existing ones to keep your Golden Kubestronaut title — you keep it permanently regardless of new exam releases.
When does a new exam become mandatory for the Kubestronaut or Golden Kubestronaut programs?
When a new certification exam reaches General Availability (GA), CNCF adds it to the Golden Kubestronaut program's requirements automatically. If the new exam is a Kubernetes-specific exam, CNCF also adds it to the Kubestronaut program's prerequisites. To give candidates time to prepare, a new requirement never takes effect earlier than 90 days after the exam reaches GA. CNCF announces and posts the exact enforcement date on the program page.
Where's my Kubestronaut badge, or my jacket, beanie, or other benefit?
The CNCF team manages badge issuance and benefit fulfillment for both the Kubestronaut and Golden Kubestronaut programs, including shipping jackets and beanies. CNCF's team will contact you within seven business days of passing your final qualifying exam. If you haven't heard from them after seven business days, contact [email protected].
How and when are Kubestronaut jackets and Golden Kubestronaut swag (beanies and backpacks) shipped?
CNCF uses a hybrid delivery model for shipping swag, depending on your location and whether you can attend a CNCF event:
In-person pickup (preferred option where possible): You can pick up your swag at CNCF events, including KubeCon (year-round) and select Kubernetes Community Days (KCDs) worldwide.
Countries with CNCF or Linux Foundation staff presence (for example, the United States, Canada, Japan, and India): CNCF staff in your region ship your swag to you using domestic postal services.
Europe and other regions with a high density of Kubestronauts: CNCF groups shipments and sends them to a community volunteer, who then handles cross-border delivery to keep costs down. These batch shipments are typically scheduled once per quarter.
All other locations: CNCF generally ships your swag individually from the United States, and may also organize grouped shipments through a volunteer where possible to reduce costs.
CNCF's target is for you to receive your swag within a maximum of four months after you successfully join the program. If you haven't received your swag within four months, CNCF will arrange an individual shipment directly to you.
What if I don't want a jacket? Can I get something else instead?
No. The CNCF Recognition Program only distributes the Kubestronaut jacket as the item of recognition — CNCF does not offer a substitute item or alternative reward in place of the jacket.
If I lose Kubestronaut status and later requalify, do I get another jacket and the other benefits again?
If you requalify as a Kubestronaut after losing your status, you receive the same benefits as any other current Kubestronaut, including vouchers, with one exception: you will not receive another jacket. CNCF issues only one Kubestronaut jacket per person over their lifetime, regardless of how many times they requalify.
How do I get the voucher for 20% off a CNCF event?
As an active Kubestronaut, you're eligible for a voucher giving you 20% off a CNCF event, such as KubeCon or a Kubernetes Community Days (KCD) event, once per year. To request this voucher, contact [email protected] and CNCF will provide the details you need.
Can I use the 50% exam voucher I received on any CNCF exam?
Yes. You can use the 50% voucher on any CNCF exam that is currently available, even if that exam wasn't released yet when you originally received the voucher. Keep in mind two limits on how the voucher can be used:
The voucher applies to a single individual exam only.
The voucher cannot be applied to bundles, such as a training-course-plus-certification bundle or a multi-exam bundle.
I passed some of my required certifications using different Linux Foundation accounts. Can these be merged, or can I still qualify for Kubestronaut or Golden Kubestronaut status?
There is currently no way to merge separate Linux Foundation accounts in the training system, and certification or exam records cannot be moved from one account to another. However, CNCF can manually take into account certifications spread across multiple Linux Foundation accounts. To request this, contact [email protected] and provide the various LF Account usernames (LFIDs) or email addresses you used when you earned your certifications.
What are the Standards of Excellence, and why do I have to accept them to become a Kubestronaut?
The Standards of Excellence are a set of conduct and responsibility expectations for everyone in the Kubestronaut and Golden Kubestronaut programs. They exist to protect the integrity of the program, support an inclusive and respectful community, and prevent misuse of Kubestronaut or Golden Kubestronaut status and benefits. You must accept the Standards of Excellence as part of your onboarding form before CNCF can approve your application. You can read the full Standards of Excellence at cncf.io/training/kubestronaut/standards-of-excellence. If you violate the Standards of Excellence, CNCF may take corrective action, which can include requiring you to remove content, suspending your benefits, or revoking your status entirely.
Who do I contact with questions about the Kubestronaut or Golden Kubestronaut programs?
For any questions about the Kubestronaut or Golden Kubestronaut programs — including badge status, jacket or beanie issues (such as receiving the wrong size), vouchers, or account questions — contact CNCF directly at [email protected]. This mailbox is managed by CNCF, since CNCF administers both programs rather than the Linux Foundation's own support team.