Add new blog post: Is the OTCA Exam Right for You? Insights for Both Newcomers and Advanced Users

content/en/blog/2025/otca-for-newcomers-and-advanced-users.md

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+---
+title:
+  Is the OTCA Exam Right for You? Insights for Both Newcomers and Advanced Users
+author: '[Lukasz Ciukaj](https://github.com/luke6Lh43) (Splunk)'
+date: 2025-10-25
+issue: 8233
+sig: End-User
+cSpell:ignore: ciukaj lukasz otca
+---
+
+In the IT industry, certifications often generate debate – some regard them as
+essential career milestones, while others question their practical value. While
+OpenTelemetry is getting widely adopted, not everyone is aware that there is a
+dedicated certification exam available for OpenTelemetry. The
+[OpenTelemetry Certified Associate (OTCA)](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/opentelemetry-certified-associate-otca/)
+exam from the [Linux Foundation](https://www.linuxfoundation.org/) is a
+credential designed to validate foundational knowledge and best practices in
+observability with OpenTelemetry, and its value extends to both newcomers and
+experienced professionals. This article outlines the structure of the OTCA exam,
+its relevance for individuals at different stages of their careers, and the
+benefits of pursuing this certification within the broader observability
+landscape.
+
+## Understanding the OpenTelemetry Certified Associate (OTCA) exam
+
+The OTCA exam, offered by Linux Foundation, is a vendor-neutral certification
+that assesses understanding of core OpenTelemetry concepts. The exam covers
+essential topics such as the purpose and components of OpenTelemetry, the
+collection and export of traces, metrics, and logs, and the basics of
+instrumentation. Comprising multiple-choice questions, the exam evaluates both
+theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring a well-rounded
+assessment of candidates' abilities. As OpenTelemetry becomes an increasingly
+important part of cloud native and distributed systems, the OTCA certification
+helps professionals demonstrate their readiness to implement observability
+solutions in a variety of organizational contexts.
+
+As of October 2025, the current scope of the OTCA exam covers the following
+areas:
+
+- Fundamentals of Observability (18%)
+- The OpenTelemetry API and SDK (46%)
+- The OpenTelemetry Collector (26%)
+- Maintaining and Debugging Observability Pipelines (10%)
+
+## Value of the OTCA exam for newcomers
+
+For individuals new to OpenTelemetry, the OTCA exam provides a structured entry
+point into observability. Exam preparation introduces key concepts, terminology,
+and workflows that are critical for building a solid foundation. The exam guides
+candidates through the essentials of how telemetry data is generated, collected,
+and distinguished between traces, metrics, and logs, making the broader
+observability landscape more accessible. Completing the OTCA exam encourages a
+systematic approach to learning and helps new practitioners avoid common
+pitfalls. Achieving the OTCA certification can boost confidence and demonstrate
+a commitment to learning industry-standard tools and practices early in a
+career, which can be advantageous when seeking new roles or advancing within an
+organization.
+
+## Benefits of the OTCA exam for advanced users
+
+Even for those with substantial hands-on experience, the OTCA exam offers
+significant advantages. It serves as a formal means to validate expertise gained
+through practical work with OpenTelemetry. Preparation for the exam encourages
+experienced professionals to review key concepts, revisit official
+documentation, and explore features or best practices that may have evolved over
+time. This review process can uncover previously unnoticed updates or changes in
+the OpenTelemetry ecosystem, promoting continuous professional growth. The study
+process promotes a comprehensive understanding of the entire observability
+pipeline, including areas such as exporters, collectors, and less commonly used
+APIs. This comprehensive review ensures alignment with current standards and
+deepens overall proficiency within the OpenTelemetry ecosystem, helping
+experienced practitioners remain effective and up-to-date in a rapidly evolving
+field.
+
+## Final thoughts
+
+The OTCA exam offers valuable opportunities for growth, learning, and
+professional validation, regardless of prior experience with OpenTelemetry. For
+newcomers, it establishes a strong, industry-recognized foundation, while for
+advances users, it reinforces core concepts and supports ongoing professional
+development. Certification can also signal to employers a candidate’s dedication
+to best practices and commitment to continual learning. While specific
+preparation resources cannot be recommended here, beginning with the official
+[OpenTelemetry Documentation](/docs/) and engaging in hands-on practice,
+particularly with manual and auto-instrumentation, is highly effective. In
+addition, several books and interactive courses are available to support exam
+readiness. Pursuing the OTCA certification is a worthwhile step for anyone
+seeking to deepen their observability skills and demonstrate a commitment to
+industry best practices in an ever-changing technology landscape.

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