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Certified Backstage Associate (CBA)

The CNCF and Linux Foundation certification for Backstage, the open source framework for building developer portals. CBA is about running and extending Backstage itself: build and run a project, deploy it, populate the software catalog, and customize plugins and the React app.

It is a hands-on-flavored knowledge exam for the people who own a portal. If you only use a portal, the Backstage concept page is the right length; CBA goes much deeper.

Exam Details (checked 2026-11-07)

  • Exam Code: Not stated by the Linux Foundation page (it uses CBA as the purchase SKU)
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Questions: Not stated on the Linux Foundation page
  • Passing Score: Not stated on the Linux Foundation page
  • Cost: USD 250 exam only; USD 495 with the THRIVE-ONE annual subscription (listed 2026-11-07)
  • Validity: 2 years
  • Prerequisites: None formally; the page lists the experience level as Beginner and calls a foundation in IT infrastructure, cloud, DevOps and security "essential for success"
  • Format: Online, proctored, multiple choice

Full detail and sources in the fact sheet.

Domains

Domain Weight Notes
Backstage Development Workflow 24% 01
Backstage Infrastructure 22% 02
Backstage Catalog 22% 03
Customizing Backstage 32% 04

Customizing Backstage is the largest domain at 32%. Development workflow, infrastructure and catalog are close to equal at 22% to 24%.

A version warning

The Backstage docs describe a new frontend system and a legacy one, and several pages are marked legacy. The notes show both. Check which one the exam targets before you book.

Study sequence

  1. Run an app and learn the layout and ports (3000 and 7007).
  2. Configuration files, merge order, $env, deployment checklist.
  3. Catalog: descriptor format, annotations, locations, providers, troubleshooting.
  4. Plugins: frontend versus backend, yarn new, themes.
  5. Re-read configuration and catalog troubleshooting; they carry the most detail questions.

Schedule in the practice plan.

Study resources