Where Does F5 Certified Administrator, BIG-IP Rank Among the Best Networking Certs?

Quick Definition: The F5 Certified Administrator, BIG-IP (F5-CA) validates a professional’s ability to configure, manage, and troubleshoot F5 BIG-IP devices. It’s a mid-level networking certification that complements foundational certs like CCNA or Network+.

Networking certifications have long been a way for IT pros to showcase their skills, from foundational credentials like CompTIA Network+ to more specialized offerings like Juniper’s JNCIA or Cisco’s CCNA. Sitting in a unique spot within this ecosystem within the F5 certification path is the F5 Certified Administrator, BIG-IP (F5-CA), also referred to as the F5 BIG-IP 201/202 exam series. 

In this post, we’ll explore what the F5-CA covers, how it compares to other top networking certifications, where it fits in a network certification path, and whether it’s in-demand enough to earn a spot in your professional development plan.

What Does the F5 Certified Administrator Cert Cover?

The F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator certification is designed to prove you can configure and manage F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) systems effectively. This includes everything from balancing application traffic to ensuring high availability across complex enterprise environments.

At its core, the F5-CA validates your ability to:

• Configure core BIG-IP LTM features and load balancing algorithms

• Implement SSL offloading and health monitoring

• Manage traffic flow and apply iRules for customization

• Perform logging, high availability (HA) setups, and platform management on TMOS and BIG-IP Next

To earn it, candidates must pass two exams: 201 (TMOS Administration) and 202 (BIG-IP LTM Specialist). Both require conceptual knowledge and hands-on configuration skills.

For a deeper dive into the exam roadmap, check out A Complete F5 Certification Guide.

How Does It Rank Against the Best Networking Certs?

When comparing the F5-CA to broader networking certs, the differences in focus become clear. It’s not trying to be a universal entry point; instead, it’s a specialization layer for those already fluent in networking fundamentals.

F5-CA vs. CCNA

Cisco’s CCNA remains one of the best networking certs for beginners and intermediate pros, offering broad coverage of routing, switching, and IP services. The F5-CA, in contrast, targets application delivery and traffic management at Layers 4–7, a niche that CCNA touches only lightly. Where CCNA is a foundation, F5-CA is a specialization that builds on it.

F5-CA vs. CompTIA Network+

Network+ is a vendor-neutral certification that covers basic networking principles, making it ideal for newcomers. The F5-CA assumes you already have this base knowledge—and goes deeper into enterprise-grade, application-focused networking scenarios.

F5-CA vs. JNCIA (Juniper)

The JNCIA is similar to the CCNA in that it focuses on routing, switching, and core networking protocols. The F5-CA differs by diving into ADC technologies, which are essential for organizations that prioritize performance, scalability, and secure application delivery.

Takeaway: The F5-CA isn’t meant to replace foundational certs like CCNA or Network+. Instead, it adds a high-value skill set to a network certification path, particularly for network engineers in enterprise or cloud-focused environments.

Where Does F5 BIG-IP Fit on the Networking Career Ladder?

The F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator certification is best suited for intermediate networking professionals who have already proven their understanding of the OSI model, IP routing, and switching fundamentals.

It’s especially valuable for:

• Engineers bridging networking and application delivery roles.

• IT pros supporting hybrid cloud and security-heavy environments.

• Professionals aiming for enterprise-grade infrastructure work.

For many, the optimal path is to earn a foundational cert (like CCNA, Network+, or JNCIA), gain 1–2 years of experience, and then layer in the F5-CA to specialize.

If you’re curious about how F5 fits into real-world career growth, see our breakdown of 37 Honest Network Administrator Salaries.

How In-Demand is the F5 BIG-IP Certification?

F5 BIG-IP remains a staple in large-scale enterprises, financial institutions, healthcare systems, and service providers. While newer ADC and load-balancing tools exist, BIG-IP’s feature depth and reliability keep it in high demand.

Common job titles listing F5 skills include:

• Application Delivery Engineer

• Network Security Engineer

• Infrastructure Architect

Even when F5 certification isn’t explicitly required, having the F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator credential can make you stand out—especially when competing for high-stakes infrastructure roles.

What are the Pros and Cons of Choosing F5-CA?

Like any specialization, the F5 Certified Administrator, BIG-IP comes with both clear advantages and notable limitations. On one hand, it’s a certification that commands respect in enterprise networking and security circles, offering skills that are directly applicable to some of the most complex and mission-critical IT environments. On the other, its specialized nature means it’s not for everyone—especially those still building their foundational networking knowledge. 

Understanding these trade-offs can help you decide whether to invest your time and effort into this certification now or keep it on your roadmap for later in your career.

Pros:

• Highly respected in enterprise networking and security contexts.

• Unique focus on Layer 4–7 traffic management and optimization.

• Valuable in hybrid cloud, multi-data center, and security-heavy deployments.

Cons:

• Not suited for entry-level IT professionals.

• Requires a solid grasp of networking fundamentals before tackling.

• Training resources are less abundant than for CCNA or Network+.

Conclusion

The F5 Certified Administrator, BIG-IP is not an entry-level credential, nor does it try to be. Instead, it’s a targeted, high-impact specialization for mid-career networking professionals who want to deepen their skills in application delivery, load balancing, and advanced traffic management.

When positioned alongside foundational certs like CCNA or Network+, it becomes a differentiator signaling that you’re not just a network engineer, but one who can optimize, secure, and scale the applications those networks carry.

Want to learn more about F5 BIG-IP? This CBT Nuggets BIG-IP Administration F5CAB1 online course is a great place to start. You can also expand your expertise with BIG-IP Administration F5CAB2 and BIG-IP Administration F5CAB3 to prepare for the 201 and 202 exams.