Training: Docker Associate (DCA) Certification Preparation

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Exam:

Certifiant

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Funding:

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Docker Associate (DCA) Certification Preparation Training

This course is aimed at professionals who want to validate their Docker skills as part of the Docker Certified Associate (DCA) certification. It offers structured preparation around the main competency areas expected in the exam, with a hands-on, progressive approach focused on validating acquired knowledge. The DCA certification is offered by Mirantis and targets professionals who already have some practical Docker experience.

Consolidate your knowledge and train in an exam-oriented mindset

This course can be taken as stand-alone preparation by already-experienced professionals, or as a consolidation module after the Docker – Fundamentals and/or Docker – Administration courses. It allows you to review the key domains, fill in any weak areas, deepen the concepts expected in the exam and practice on scenarios close to those encountered in a certification logic. Mirantis presents the DCA exam as an online certification, in English, lasting 90 minutes, aimed at candidates with roughly 6 to 12 months of Docker experience.

Participant Profiles

Systems and DevOps administrators wishing to validate their Docker skills
Cloud or Infrastructure engineers preparing for the DCA certification
Professionals who have already used Docker in real environments
Participants who have completed Docker – Fundamentals and/or Docker – Administration
Candidates wishing to structure their review before taking the exam

Objectives

Review the main competency areas covered by the DCA certification
Consolidate knowledge related to images, containers, volumes, networking and security
Master the orchestration concepts expected in the exam
Identify and fill any gaps on key technical topics
Practice with hands-on cases, questions and troubleshooting scenarios
Adopt an effective strategy for exam preparation and execution
Prepare in conditions consistent with the level expected by the DCA certification

Prerequisites

Having completed Docker – Fundamentals and/or Docker – Administration, or equivalent hands-on experience
Mastery of the Linux command line
Understanding the fundamentals of TCP/IP networking
Comfort with basic Docker commands
Prior Docker practice in a professional environment is a significant advantage, as the exam targets profiles already having some real-world experience.

Course Content

Module 1: Docker fundamentals review

Docker architecture: daemon, client, images, registries and containers
Container lifecycle
Image management and basic best practices
Dockerfile, building images and organizing layers
Volumes, persistent storage and essential networking concepts

Module 2: Images, registries and distribution

Docker image optimization
Tagging and versioning strategies
Image distribution via public and private registries
Governance and lifecycle of images
Best practices for integrity, distribution and maintenance of images

Module 3: Orchestration and Docker services

Docker Swarm review
Managers, workers, services and replicas
Deploying stacks
Scaling, updates and rollback
Key commands and diagnostic scenarios related to services

Module 4: Networking, storage and operations

Docker networks: bridge, host, overlay
Port publishing and connectivity
Volumes, bind mounts and persistence
Storage principles and common scenarios
Analysis and troubleshooting of network or storage errors

Module 5: Docker security

Security of the Docker engine and containers
Isolation, permissions and best practices
Managing secrets and sensitive data
Securing the runtime environment
Best practices for reliability and risk reduction

Module 6: Diagnostics, troubleshooting and certification mindset

Log analysis, inspection and diagnostics
Resolving common issues on images, containers and services
Cross-cutting troubleshooting scenarios
Review of competency areas
Practice questions and exam-like scenarios
Tips for preparation, review and time management during the exam

Documentation

Digital course materials included

Lab / Exercises

This course includes hands-on exercises designed to reinforce your knowledge and apply your skills in real-world professional scenarios.

Exam

This course prepares for the Docker Associate (DCA) certification
Exam included in the course price

Complementary Courses

Eligible Funding

ITTA is a partner of a continuing education fund dedicated to temporary workers. This fund can subsidize your training, provided that you are subject to the “Service Provision” collective labor agreement (CCT) and meet certain conditions, including having worked at least 88 hours in the past 12 months.

Additional Information

What is the Docker Certified Associate (DCA) certification?

The Docker Certified Associate (DCA) certification is the official certification delivered by Mirantis, which took over the Docker certification program. It validates professional skills across six key domains: orchestration, image creation and management, installation and configuration, networking, security, and storage. Internationally recognized, the DCA is a major asset on the IT job market, particularly in cloud-native and DevOps environments.

The DCA exam consists of 55 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions to be completed in 90 minutes via the Pearson VUE platform. The passing score requires solid mastery across all domains. This certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by retaking the exam.

Why get the DCA certification?

Containerization has become an unavoidable standard in the IT industry. Docker remains the reference technology, massively used by organizations adopting containers. The DCA certification sets you apart on the market by proving your expertise validated by a recognized organization.

The demand for Docker-certified professionals continues to grow, driven by massive cloud adoption, microservices architectures, and CI/CD pipelines. DCA holders access positions such as DevOps engineers, cloud architects, and SREs. The DCA certification ideally complements other certifications like the CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator) for a complete DevOps profile.

Frequently asked questions about the DCA certification

What is the DCA exam format?

The DCA exam consists of 55 questions (multiple-choice and multiple-select) to be completed in 90 minutes. It is administered online via Pearson VUE and can be taken from home or at an authorized testing center.

How long is the DCA certification valid?

The Docker Certified Associate certification is valid for two years from the date of completion. It can be renewed by retaking the exam before expiration.

Is prior Docker experience required for this training?

Yes, this training is designed for professionals with existing hands-on Docker experience. We recommend having at least six months of Docker administration experience.

Is the DCA exam included in the training?

The exam is offered as an option. You can choose to add it during registration to benefit from a preferential rate and assistance with the Pearson VUE registration process.