OSPI Exams
OSPI offers hands-on exams in a Linux environment. You will complete practical tasks via SSH, not multiple-choice questions to earn an authoritative certification that can be verified by employers.
Study first, enroll when ready
Free study courses run on your own computer in a local Multipass VM. Studying does not enroll you in an exam or charge a fee. Enroll separately when you are ready to schedule a sitting.
Where things live
- Certification catalog: objectives, pricing, enrollment.
- Study courses: free self-paced training.
- Candidate portal: enrollments, exam links, progress, credentials.
- Credential verification: public lookup by certificate ID.
Study courses
Free exam prep on your own machine. Separate from exam enrollment and payment.
What they are
Each course matches a certification that is open for enrollment. You work through modules in a local Ubuntu VM (Multipass) on your own hardware.
How to start
- Browse Study courses and open View course details.
- Click Start course (sign in if prompted).
- Work through modules in order and mark each complete when done.
VM setup
See the Multipass setup guide (sign-in required). Each course detail page lists recommended VM size.
Study vs. exam
Common questions
- Need a voucher to study? No.
- Where are lab steps? Inside each module after you start the course.
- Does OSPI host the practice VM? No. You run Multipass locally.
How exams work
One enrollment, one scheduled window, one exam environment.
Scheduling
You pick a date and time at enrollment. The exam window runs for a fixed length from that start (see your certification page for duration).
Exam day timeline
- Before start: check-in opens a few minutes early.
- During window: SSH credentials appear in the waiting area; complete exam tasks.
- After window: disconnect; credentials are removed; the lab is destroyed after grading.
Waiting area
Your home base on exam day: countdown, check-in status, SSH details, and task instructions. Keep it open in a tab separate from screen sharing.
One lab per enrollment
Each paid enrollment gets one exam environment. You cannot reset check-in to get a second lab for the same purchase.
Your account & portal
Sign-in, enrollments, and exam links.
Creating an account
Register at portal registration or use Google sign-in if enabled. Use your legal first and last name.
Portal pages
- Dashboard: overview after sign-in.
- Study courses: catalog; workspace opens from Start course.
- Your exams & vouchers: scheduled and past exams; voucher codes.
- Exam waiting area: opened from confirmation email or Your exams.
- Exam check-in: ID and room steps before the window opens.
- Credentials: certifications you have earned.
Account changes
Wrong name or email before an exam? Email contact@ospinstitute.org. Account updates do not reschedule exams automatically.
Do not share your password or exam access links.
Enrollment & payment
Register for an exam, buy vouchers, and what happens after payment.
Choosing an exam
Open a certification page and select Enroll or Purchase voucher. You can also link from a study course via View certification exam.
Open vs. coming soon
Open for enrollment accepts scheduled bookings. Coming soon may allow voucher purchase but not live scheduling until enrollment opens. Study courses may be available before exams; see Study courses.
Schedule vs. voucher
- Schedule exam: pay and pick a time now.
- Buy voucher: pay now, get a code, schedule later from Your exams. Vouchers expire after a set number of days (shown at checkout).
After payment
Your enrollment is marked paid and you will receive a confirmation email with your scheduled exam time and waiting area link.
Redeem a voucher
From Your exams, pick a slot for an available voucher, or enter the code on the enrollment page.
Before exam day
Prepare your space and connection.
What you need
- Stable internet.
- SSH client (Terminal, PuTTY, or Windows Terminal).
- Current Chrome or Firefox for check-in and the waiting area.
- Government photo ID.
- Quiet, private room for the full duration.
When to sign in
Sign in 10–15 minutes early. Check-in opens shortly before start. Finish check-in before the window opens.
Review objectives
Read your certification page for objectives, duration, and allowed resources before exam day.
Practice
Study courses are optional but help you rehearse on a local VM. Exam day uses a remote OSPI machine via SSH. See Study courses.
Check-in & proctoring
ID verification and screen sharing before your window opens.
Steps
- Photo ID: show government-issued ID to your camera.
- Room scan: brief view of your workspace.
- Screen share: select your full display.
- Rules: confirm proctoring requirements.
Two tabs
Keep the check-in tab open (camera and screen share). The waiting area opens in a new tab for countdown and SSH credentials.
Once per exam
You cannot repeat full check-in for the same enrollment. Use the waiting area for countdown and credentials.
During your exam
SSH access and task instructions.
SSH
When the window opens, the waiting area shows a password and SSH command. Credentials appear only during the active window.
Tasks
Instructions appear in the waiting area. Complete tasks on the exam machine via SSH unless told otherwise.
Allowed resources
- Official docs explicitly allowed for your exam (listed on the certification page) in a separate browser tab.
- No other external sites or AI tools unless OSPI says otherwise.
Conduct
Work alone. Do not share credentials or get unauthorized help.
After the exam
When time expires
Disconnect from SSH immediately. When exam time is up you will notice your portal credentials will be removed. The lab is kept alive briefly for grading, then destroyed. It’s important to exit your exam environment after time expires to allow grading to commence properly.
Results
Grading should only take a few minutes. Your result will be emailed to you. If you pass, your credential also appears in the portal. See Credentials & validity.
Credentials & validity
How long certifications stay active and how to verify them.
Validity
OSPI certifications are valid for three years from issue date. Verify any active credential at ospinstitute.org/verify with the certificate ID.
Expiry and renewal
Expired credentials show as inactive on verification. To renew, pass the current version of the exam again. A new pass issues a fresh three-year credential.
Help & support
Contact and common fixes.
Contact
Common issues
- Cannot open waiting area: sign in with your enrollment email; use Your exams or the confirmation link.
- Check-in will not open: you are likely too early, wait until check-in opens which occurs 5 minutes before exam time.
- No SSH credentials: wait for provisioning after slot start; refresh the waiting area.
- Screen share dropped: re-share from the check-in tab.