Certified Open Source Developer for Enterprise (CODE): exam, cost and domains

What is the Certified Open Source Developer for Enterprise certification?

CODE was launched on 8 April 2025 by the TODO Group in collaboration with the Open Source Initiative and Linux Foundation Training & Certification. The TODO Group calls it the first certification tailored to enterprise-level open source development skills and says it was designed with input from more than 30 subject matter experts.

The Linux Foundation describes a CODE holder as someone who understands how to integrate open source usage and consumption into their software development tasks. That is the angle: not how to write a particular language, but how to use, contribute to and manage open source responsibly inside a company — licences, supply chain, contribution policies and the processes around them.

The TODO Group’s announcement names five competencies: fundamentals of open source software development, licensing and usage guidelines, consuming open source software, contributing to open source projects, and open source management operations. They match the five weighted exam domains below.

Source: TODO Group — CODE certification announcement. Checked 14 October 2026.

How much does the CODE certification cost?

The exam alone costs US$250 and includes one retake. The Linux Foundation also sells it bundled with the LFD221 course, Open Source Essentials for Developers, for US$299, and with a THRIVE-ONE annual subscription for US$495.

After purchase you have 12 months to take the exam. The Linux Foundation’s certification FAQ adds that a retake can only be issued once the first attempt has been graded as a No Pass, and it must also fall within those 12 months.

Source: Linux Foundation Education — CODE certification. Checked 14 October 2026.

CODE exam format

CODE is an online, proctored, multiple-choice exam with a duration of 90 minutes. The Linux Foundation’s documentation lists its general Multiple Choice Exam FAQ for CODE: the exam is proctored remotely through streaming audio, video and screen sharing, runs on PSI’s Bridge platform in the PSI Secure Browser, and no other applications or browser windows may be open.

The exam is offered in English and Japanese; for Japanese, you select the language when scheduling with PSI. The Linux Foundation does not publish the number of questions.

Source: LF Education — Multiple Choice Exam FAQ (used for CODE). Checked 14 October 2026.

CODE passing score and results

The Multiple Choice Exam FAQ that the Linux Foundation lists for CODE states that a score of 75% or above is needed to pass.

Scoring is automatic. The FAQ says a score report is emailed within 24 hours of completing the exam, barring exceptions or technical difficulties, and results also appear in the candidate portal.

Source: LF Education — Multiple Choice Exam FAQ (used for CODE). Checked 14 October 2026.

What is on the CODE exam?

The Linux Foundation publishes five domains with weights. Consuming open source carries the most, at 28%, followed by fundamentals at 24% and contributing at 22%. Licensing carries 14%, but its subtopics — copyleft compliance, export control, CLAs and DCOs — are specific enough that they need dedicated study.

• Fundamentals of Open Source Software Development — 24%: issues and pull requests, code reviews, principles of open source, communities, release management and semantic versioning
• Open Source Licensing and Usage Guidelines — 14%: intellectual property and licensing, open source and copyleft compliance, risk assessments, export control, CLAs and DCOs
• Consuming Open Source Software — 28%: codebase risk, maintenance plans, the software supply chain, dependencies, approval processes, SBOMs
• Contributing to Open Source — 22%: contribution strategy, code and documentation practices, copyright ownership, contribution risks, project types, approval processes
• Open Source Management Operations — 12%: contributing upstream, developer support, management roles and escalation paths

Source: Linux Foundation Education — CODE certification. Checked 14 October 2026.

CODE prerequisites and who it is for

There are no prerequisites, and the Linux Foundation rates the experience level as beginner.

The certification page names three groups it suits: professionals from legacy systems who want to show they have embraced open source, people pivoting toward tech-focused business leadership roles, and those moving into cybersecurity. It also notes that technical certifications such as LFCS, CKA, CKAD and CKS remain valuable alongside it — CODE complements rather than replaces them.

Source: Linux Foundation Education — CODE certification. Checked 14 October 2026.

How long is the CODE certification valid?

The CODE certification is valid for two years. To keep it current, you retake and pass the exam before it expires; the renewed certification then runs for two years from the date you pass.

Renewal works the same way as the first attempt: an online, proctored exam on the current domains. Since open source practice around SBOMs and supply chain security keeps moving, check the domain list again before you renew.

Source: LF Education — Multiple Choice Exam FAQ (used for CODE). Checked 14 October 2026.

Official CODE training and study resources

The Linux Foundation’s preparation list for CODE includes a learning path PDF, the Open Source Management & Strategy course, the TODO Group’s guides, and two free courses, LFD125 and LFC194. LFD221, Open Source Essentials for Developers, is the course sold as a bundle with the exam.

Use the domain list as your study plan and spend the most time on consuming open source software, which carries 28% of the exam and covers supply chain risk, dependency management and SBOMs.

Source: Linux Foundation Education — CODE certification. Checked 14 October 2026.

CODE exam rules and dumps

The Linux Foundation Global Certification and Confidentiality Agreement prohibits disclosing, publishing, reproducing or transmitting any exam and related information, and explicitly covers braindump material and any unauthorised publication of exam questions, with or without answers.

The Linux Foundation may revoke any and all certifications you have earned and permanently ban you from earning future ones. That puts a Kubernetes or Linux certification on the line as well, not just CODE.

Source: Linux Foundation — Global Certification and Confidentiality Agreement. Checked 14 October 2026.

CODE practice questions

Certsqill’s CODE practice questions are expert-developed and follow the five Linux Foundation domains, with the most weight on consuming open source software.

Each question comes with an explanation for every answer option, which matters on licensing and compliance questions where two answers can look equally reasonable. Your results build a readiness score per domain, and a 7-day money-back guarantee applies.

CODE questions people ask

What is the CODE certification?

The Certified Open Source Developer for Enterprise, a Linux Foundation certification created with the TODO Group and the Open Source Initiative. Checked 14 October 2026.

How much does the CODE exam cost?

US$250, including one retake. Bundles with LFD221 cost US$299. Source: Linux Foundation, checked 14 October 2026.

How long is the CODE exam?

90 minutes, online and proctored. Source: Linux Foundation CODE page, checked 14 October 2026.

What is the CODE passing score?

75%, per the Multiple Choice Exam FAQ the Linux Foundation lists for CODE. Checked 14 October 2026.

How many questions are on the CODE exam?

The Linux Foundation does not publish the number of questions. Checked 14 October 2026.

Are there prerequisites for CODE?

No. The Linux Foundation lists no prerequisites and rates the level as beginner. Checked 14 October 2026.

Is the CODE exam available in other languages?

Yes, in Japanese as well as English; select Japanese when scheduling with PSI. Source: LF Candidate Handbook, checked 14 October 2026.

How long is the CODE certification valid?

Two years; renew by passing the exam again before it expires. Source: Linux Foundation, checked 14 October 2026.

Can I retake the CODE exam?

Yes. One retake is included, issued after a first attempt graded No Pass and taken within 12 months of purchase. Source: Linux Foundation, checked 14 October 2026.

Which CODE domain has the most weight?

Consuming Open Source Software, at 28%. Source: Linux Foundation CODE page, checked 14 October 2026.