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Getting Started

Create your account, take your first lab, and find your path.

Account & Login

Sign in, password resets, profile and email changes.

Subscriptions & Billing

Plans, upgrades, invoices, taxes and cancellation.

Payments & Refunds

Accepted methods, failed charges, and our refund policy.

Virtual Labs

Launching labs, system requirements, and troubleshooting.

Practice Exams & PBQs

How exams work, scoring, PBQs and retakes.

Learning Paths & Certifications

DevOps, AI/ML, data science, cloud, Linux, cybersecurity and more.

Certificates & CEUs/CPEs

Completion certificates, verification and continuing education.

SkillTracker™

How SkillTracker™ works and what your score means.

For Business / Teams

Seats, SSO, enterprise analytics, LMS integration and onboarding.

Academic Partnerships

Student pricing, bulk codes and classroom access.

Technical & Mobile

Browsers, devices, offline mode and network needs.

Privacy & Security

Data handling, GDPR, account deletion and cookies.

Contact & Careers

Support channels, hiring and partnerships.

Frequently asked questions

Getting Started

What is CertLabz?

CertLabz is a hands-on training platform that combines virtual labs, performance-based questions (PBQs), practice exams, and SkillTracker™ assessments to prepare and upskill IT pros and students in the AI and data science industry. CertLabz provides training solutions for employees, teams and academia for almost every/all technology skill areas — DevOps, data science, AI/ML, programming, Linux, cybersecurity, cloud computing, project management, and more!

How do I get started?

Create an account from the home page, pick the technology or skill area you want to learn (DevOps, AI/ML, data science, cloud, Linux, cybersecurity, programming, project management and more), and start with a free demo lab or a SkillTracker™ assessment to see your current level. From there, follow the recommended learning path or build a custom one.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. New users can start a free trial of our All-Access plan from the checkout page. A valid payment card is required to start the trial — this is a bot-prevention measure so only real users can sign up. You will not be charged during the trial and can cancel anytime before it ends.

Do I need any prior experience?

No. CertLabz has content for absolute beginners through advanced professionals across every major technology skill area — from first-time learners picking up Python or Linux to seasoned engineers specialising in Kubernetes, cloud architecture, MLOps or offensive security. The SkillTracker™ assessment recommends the right starting point for you.

How long does it take to become certified?

It depends on the skill area and your prior experience. Most learners reach job-ready proficiency in a new technology (e.g. Linux, Python, AWS fundamentals, DevOps) within 6–12 weeks studying part-time. Advanced specialisations (ML engineering, Kubernetes security, cloud architecture) may take 3–6 months.

Can I switch certifications after I start?

Absolutely. All-Access members can switch between any supported learning path, technology track or certification at any time — your progress is saved per path.

Where can I try a free demo lab?

Visit our Free Labs Demo page to launch a sample environment directly in your browser, no credit card required.

Account & Login

How do I create an account?

Click Sign In and then "Create an account." Enter your email and a strong password. You'll receive a verification email to activate the account.

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

Go to Forgot Password and enter the email on your account. We'll send you a secure reset link that expires after 60 minutes.

Why am I not receiving the password reset email?

Check your spam/junk folder and make sure no-reply@certlabz.com is allow-listed. If you still can't find it, wait a few minutes and try again, or contact support.

How do I change my email address?

Sign in, open Settings, and update your primary email. You'll need to verify the new address before it becomes active.

How do I update my name or profile photo?

From Settings → Profile, edit your display name and upload a new photo. Changes appear on your certificates going forward.

Can I have multiple accounts?

Each learner should maintain a single personal account. Business and academic seats are managed by your organization's admin and should not be duplicated.

How do I delete my account?

Go to Settings → Account → Delete account, or email privacy@certlabz.com. Deletion is permanent and removes your progress and certificates.

Is two-factor authentication supported?

Yes, 2FA via authenticator apps (TOTP) can be enabled from Settings → Security. We strongly recommend it for all learners and admins.

Subscriptions & Billing

What plans does CertLabz offer?

We offer monthly and annual subscriptions including All-Access (everything unlocked), single-certification plans, and custom Business/Academic plans. See Pricing for current rates.

Can I change plans anytime?

Yes. Upgrades take effect immediately and we prorate billing. Downgrades take effect at your next renewal.

Is there a setup fee?

No. There are no setup or hidden fees. You pay only the monthly or annual subscription.

How do I see my invoices?

Stripe emails you a receipt automatically to the email on your account immediately after each successful payment. Check your inbox (and spam folder) for the Stripe receipt — there is no separate invoice download inside the CertLabz dashboard.

How do I cancel my subscription?

From Settings → Billing, click "Cancel subscription." You'll keep access until the end of your current billing period.

Will I lose my progress if I cancel?

No. Your progress, SkillTracker™ scores and earned certificates stay linked to your account. If you resubscribe later, everything picks up where you left off.

Do you charge sales tax or VAT?

Taxes are calculated based on your billing address and local regulations (e.g. US state sales tax, EU VAT, GST). They appear on your receipt at checkout.

Do you offer student discounts?

Yes — learners with a valid .edu email receive 10% off any plan. Contact support with your student ID for verification.

Do you have promo codes?

From time to time, yes. New users can usually apply CERTLABS10 at checkout for 10% off their first subscription.

Can I pause my subscription?

We don't offer a pause, but you can cancel and resubscribe later without losing your data.

What happens when my trial ends?

If you added a payment method, the plan you selected begins automatically. You can cancel anytime before the trial ends to avoid being charged.

Payments & Refunds

What payment methods do you accept?

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and (in supported regions) Razorpay/UPI. Payments are processed securely by Stripe and Razorpay.

Is my payment information secure?

Yes. CertLabz never stores your card details. All transactions are processed by PCI-DSS compliant providers over TLS.

My payment failed. What should I do?

Verify the card number, expiration, CVV and billing address match your issuer's records. Some banks block first-time international transactions — contact your bank to authorize, then retry.

Do you offer refunds?

No. CertLabz does not offer refunds of any kind. All subscription payments are final. You can cancel at any time to stop future renewals, and you'll keep access until the end of your current billing period. See our Terms of Service for full details.

Can I get a receipt for my employer?

Yes. Stripe automatically emails a receipt to your account email after each successful payment — you can forward it to your employer for reimbursement.

Was I charged twice?

This doesn't happen with Stripe. CertLabz uses Stripe for secure payments. Rarely, if it ever occurs, occasionally banks display a pending authorization next to the actual charge. If you see two posted (non-pending) charges, open a technical support request with both references and screenshots and we'll investigate.

Virtual Labs

What are CertLabz virtual labs?

Fully browser-based, isolated lab environments running real operating systems, networks and cloud tooling. You practise configuring Linux, Windows Server, firewalls, Wireshark, Kubernetes, AWS, Azure and more — without installing anything.

Do I need to install any software?

No. Labs run entirely in your browser. All you need is an up-to-date Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.

How long can a lab stay open?

Most labs allow sessions of up to 2–4 hours. You can pause and resume; unused environments auto-shutdown to conserve resources.

Can I save my work inside a lab?

Progress within a lab scenario is tracked and the platform remembers completed steps. Persistent user files across sessions are available for select long-running labs (e.g. Kubernetes and pentest ranges).

My lab is slow or won't load. What do I do?

Try these steps:

  • Refresh the page and allow 10–20 seconds for provisioning.
  • Disable VPNs and browser extensions that block WebSockets.
  • Switch to a wired or stronger Wi-Fi connection (>5 Mbps recommended).
  • Try a different Chromium-based browser.

If issues persist, contact support with a screenshot and the lab name.

Are the labs graded?

Yes. Most scenario labs include automatic validation — the platform checks your configuration and marks tasks complete as you finish them.

Can I reset a lab?

Yes. Use the "Reset environment" button inside the lab console to start over with a clean state.

Can I use my own tools inside the lab?

Each lab ships with the tooling needed for its objectives. For security reasons, you cannot install unrelated software inside the environment.

Practice Exams & PBQs

How realistic are CertLabz practice exams?

Our exams mirror the real test format — timed, domain-weighted and including multiple-choice, multiple-select, drag-and-drop and performance-based questions so you experience the actual exam interface.

What are Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)?

PBQs are interactive, scenario-driven tasks (like configuring a firewall or analyzing a packet capture) that test applied skills rather than memorization. They're featured heavily on CompTIA and vendor exams.

Can I retake a practice exam?

Yes — unlimited retakes. We randomize question order and answer options on each attempt to keep things challenging.

How are scores calculated?

Scores are weighted by exam domain and normalized to the vendor's scoring scale (e.g. CompTIA 100–900). You'll see domain-level breakdowns and explanations for every answer.

What score indicates I'm ready for the real exam?

We recommend consistently scoring 85%+ on multiple randomized full-length exams before scheduling the official certification.

Do practice exams include explanations?

Yes. Every question has a detailed explanation and references to the relevant learning material.

Can I review past attempts?

Yes. Your Dashboard shows every attempt with scores, time taken and missed questions.

Learning Paths & Certifications

What topics and technologies does CertLabz cover?

CertLabz covers almost every major technology skill area — DevOps, data science, AI/ML, programming (Python, Go, JavaScript, SQL and more), Linux & system administration, cybersecurity, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP), networking, project management and many more. Alongside these hands-on tracks, we also map content to industry certifications from CompTIA, ISC2, ISACA, CNCF (Kubernetes), AWS, Microsoft Azure and Cisco. See the Certifications page for the full list.

Is CertLabz an official training partner?

CertLabz training is aligned to the official exam objectives published by each certification body. CertLabz itself is an independent training provider.

Does CertLabz administer the actual certification exam?

No. Official certification exams are booked and delivered through the vendor's partners (e.g. Pearson VUE for CompTIA/ISC2/ISACA, PSI for CNCF). CertLabz prepares you to pass them.

How often is content updated?

We update practice questions and labs within 30 days of any official exam objective release (e.g. Security+ SY0-701, CySA+ CS0-003). Your subscription always includes the latest version.

Which certification should I take first?

Try our Career Quiz or SkillTracker™ for a personalized recommendation. Most IT newcomers start with broad foundations (Linux, networking, Python) before specialising into cloud, DevOps, data/AI or cybersecurity tracks — each with matching certifications if you want the credential.

Certificates of Completion & CEUs/CPEs

Do I earn a certificate from CertLabz?

Yes. When you complete a learning path you receive a verifiable CertLabz Certificate of Completion with a unique ID that anyone can verify at /verify-certificate.

Is my CertLabz certificate the same as an official certification?

No. A CertLabz certificate documents the training you completed. Official certifications (e.g. CompTIA Security+) are awarded by the vendor after you pass their proctored exam.

Can I earn CEUs or CPEs with CertLabz?

Yes. Completing courses and labs earns continuing education credit that can be submitted toward CompTIA CEUs, ISC2 CPEs and ISACA CPEs. Each certificate lists the applicable credit hours.

How do I submit CEUs/CPEs to the certifying body?

Download your completion certificate from /certificates, then upload it to the relevant portal: CompTIA CertMaster, the ISC2 member portal or the ISACA CPE tracker. The certificate includes the credit hours and course ID they require.

How do employers verify my certificate?

Share the verification URL or certificate ID. Anyone can look it up at Verify Certificate — no login required.

My name on the certificate is wrong. Can I fix it?

Yes. Update your name in Settings → Profile, then regenerate the certificate from /certificates.

Do certificates expire?

CertLabz Certificates of Completion do not expire. However, the underlying certification body may require you to renew CEUs/CPEs on their own schedule.

SkillTracker™

What is SkillTracker™?

SkillTracker™ is an adaptive assessment that estimates your proficiency in a given technology area (e.g. Linux administration, AWS networking, Python for security) on a 0–300 scale.

How long does a SkillTracker™ take?

About 15–20 minutes. The assessment adapts difficulty as you answer, so it converges on your level quickly.

Can I retake a SkillTracker™?

Yes — every 14 days per topic. This cooling-off period keeps the results meaningful.

What score should I aim for?

0–99 = Novice, 100–199 = Proficient, 200–300 = Expert. Your recommended learning path changes based on where you land.

CertLabz for Business

Does CertLabz offer team plans?

Yes. Business plans include seat-based pricing, an admin console, enterprise-grade analytics, real-time progress tracking, customizable dashboards, SSO and LMS integration. Learn more at CertLabz for Business or start a team signup.

What analytics and reporting do admins get?

CertLabz provides enterprise-grade analytics out of the box — real-time progress per learner, skill heat-maps, time-on-task, SkillTracker™ trends, lab completion rates, exam scores and custom KPIs. Admins can build fully customizable dashboards and schedule automated reports to any stakeholder.

Does CertLabz integrate with my LMS?

Yes. CertLabz supports LTI 1.3 integration with Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, D2L Brightspace, SAP SuccessFactors, Workday Learning, Cornerstone and Degreed — including single sign-on, roster sync and automatic grade/progress passback.

How much does a team plan cost?

Pricing scales with the number of seats and your chosen content catalog. Contact sales for a custom quote — volume discounts apply.

Can I assign learning paths to my team?

Yes. Admins can assign specific certifications, labs and deadlines to individual users or groups, and track completion from the admin console.

Do you support SSO (SAML / OIDC)?

Yes. CertLabz supports SAML 2.0 and OIDC for Azure AD/Entra ID, Okta, Google Workspace and other identity providers on Business and Enterprise plans.

Can I export team progress reports?

Yes. CSV and PDF exports are available from the admin console, plus a REST API for BI tools on Enterprise plans.

How do I add or remove seats?

From the admin console, open Billing → Seats. Added seats are prorated immediately; removed seats free up at your next renewal.

Is there an onboarding program for new teams?

Yes — every Business plan includes a dedicated Customer Success Manager who helps configure SSO, assign content and launch the first cohort.

Do you offer a free pilot for teams?

Qualified teams of 10+ can request a two-week pilot. Contact sales to check eligibility.

Academic Partnerships

Do you offer pricing for schools and universities?

Yes — starting at just $5 per student for academic partners. Visit Academic Partnerships for details or sign up at Academic Signup.

What's included in the academic plan?

Full access to labs, PBQs, practice exams, SkillTrackers™ and certificates — plus an instructor dashboard, roster management, gradebook exports and LMS/LTI integration.

Does CertLabz integrate with my LMS?

Yes. We support LTI 1.3 for Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard and D2L Brightspace, with grade passback.

Can I align CertLabz to my course syllabus?

Absolutely — instructors can build custom learning paths mapped to CompTIA, NICE Framework or any syllabus, and share them across classes.

Do students get a certificate they can share?

Yes. Each student earns a verifiable CertLabz Certificate of Completion that they can add to LinkedIn and share with employers.

How do I start the academic partnership process?

Fill out the academic signup form or review our brochure and catalog. A member of our academic team will follow up within one business day.

Technical Requirements & Mobile

What are the system requirements?

Any modern laptop/desktop running Windows, macOS, Linux or ChromeOS with the latest Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari. A broadband connection of 5 Mbps or more is recommended for labs.

Does CertLabz work on mobile?

Yes. The learning dashboard, lessons, practice questions and SkillTracker™ are fully mobile-responsive on iOS and Android. For the best lab experience we recommend a desktop or tablet.

Is there an offline mode?

Study materials and flashcards can be cached for offline reading. Labs and practice exams require an active connection.

Which browsers are supported?

The latest two versions of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari. Internet Explorer is not supported.

What firewall ports need to be open for labs?

Outbound TCP 443 (HTTPS) to *.certlabz.com is sufficient. Labs use secure WebSockets over 443 — no additional ports required.

Do you have a native mobile app?

Our mobile web experience is optimized to work like a native app. You can "Add to Home Screen" on iOS and Android for full-screen access.

Privacy, Security & Data

How is my data protected?

All traffic is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+) and at rest (AES-256). We follow industry best practices including least-privilege access, audited deployments and regular backups.

Is CertLabz GDPR compliant?

Yes. EU learners can exercise their access, rectification, portability and erasure rights by writing to privacy@certlabz.com. See our Privacy Policy.

Do you sell my data?

No. CertLabz never sells or rents personal information.

How can I download a copy of my data?

Go to Settings → Privacy → Export data. You'll receive a ZIP with your profile, progress and certificates within 48 hours.

How do I opt out of marketing emails?

Click "unsubscribe" at the bottom of any CertLabz marketing email, or adjust your preferences in Settings → Notifications.

Where is my data stored?

Primary data centers are located in the United States, with EU replication for EU-based learners. Details are in our Privacy Policy.

How do I report a security issue?

Email security@certlabz.com with reproduction steps. We'll acknowledge within 24 hours and follow a coordinated disclosure process.

Contact, Careers & Partnerships

How do I contact support?

Use our technical support form — it goes straight to our support team and you can attach a screenshot (JPG/PNG, up to 5 MB). You can also chat with Orion on our Contact page. Typical first response time is under 4 business hours.

What are your support hours?

Chat and email support are available Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST. Business and Enterprise customers receive 24×5 priority support.

Is CertLabz hiring?

Yes! Visit our Careers page for open roles in sales, marketing, content, engineering and academic partnerships across the US, Canada, EU, AU and NZ.

How do I become a content or affiliate partner?

Send partnership inquiries to partners@certlabz.com. Our partnership terms are available at /partnership-terms.

Where is CertLabz located?

CertLabz is registered in Delaware, USA (File Number 10537815) with a distributed team across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Can I leave a testimonial?

Yes! We'd love to hear your story. Head to our Testimonials page and click "Share your story."

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