Kubestronaut & Golden Kubestronaut Programs

Demonstrate Your Rocket-Powered Kubernetes Skills

View details about the programs and see bundle options below for easy purchase options.

The Kubestronaut Program recognizes community leaders who have consistently invested in their ongoing education and grown their skill level with Kubernetes.

Individuals who have successfully passed every CNCF Kubernetes certification – CKA, CKAD, CKS, KCNA, KCSA – will receive the title of Kubestronaut, as well as these additional benefits:

An exclusive Kubestronaut jacket to show off your elite status
A Credly badge to showcase your expertise
Access to the dedicated/private Kubestronaut Slack channel and mailing list
Five coupons for 50%-off certifications each year, for yourself or to share
20%-off three CNCF events (KubeCon or KubeDays) a year

See changes to the Golden Kubestronaut requirements taking place October 15, 2025 below.

Individuals who have successfully passed every CNCF certification (currently CKA, CKAD, CKS, KCNA, KCSA, PCA, ICA, CCA, CAPA, CGOA, CBA, OTCA, KCA, CNPA) and LFCS, will receive the title of Golden Kubestronaut for life, as well as these additional benefits:

An exclusive backpack with the Golden Kubestronaut logo
A special Golden Kubestronaut beanie
ThriveOne subscription (as long as the Kubestronaut title is maintained)
One free ticket per year to any Kubernetes Community Days (KCD)
One 50%-off KubeCon registration per year
A 60% discount voucher for each new CNCF certification
A distinguished Golden representation on the Kubestronaut website

As the cloud native landscape evolves, so does the Kubestronauts journey. To reflect the growing importance of platform engineering – and in line with our vision to include all CNCF certifications – the Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineering Associate (CNPA) is now a required certification for achieving Golden Kubestronaut status, effective October 15, 2025.

*As of July 21, 2025, the Golden Kubestronaut and Kubestronaut to Golden Kubestronaut bundles will include CNPA when purchased.

Please see the full blog post for additional details.

NOTE: As new CNCF certifications are introduced, they will also be added to the requirements. This ensures that the Golden Kubestronaut badge remains meaningful, up-to-date, and respected as a symbol of comprehensive achievement in the cloud native community.