OEM Certifications Explained: What TeckyGuys Actually Prepares You For
If you’re exploring a tech career, you’ve probably seen certifications like CCNA, CompTIA Security+, RHCSA, or LPIC-1 mentioned everywhere. These are OEM certifications — credentials issued directly by the company that makes the technology, not by a training provider. Here’s what they are, how TeckyGuys Academy pathways connect to them, and exactly what you earn along the way.
What "OEM Certification" Means
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer — the actual company behind the technology. An OEM certification is controlled entirely by that company:
- Cisco controls CCST, CCNA, and CCNP certifications
- CompTIA controls A+, Network+, Security+, and Linux+
- Red Hat controls RHCSA and RHCE
- Linux Professional Institute controls Linux Essentials and LPIC-1
- Microsoft, AWS, and Google Cloud control their respective cloud certifications
- Schneider Electric controls the Data Center Certified Associate (DCCA) body of knowledge
Only these companies can issue their certifications. No academy, bootcamp, or training provider can award them on a manufacturer’s behalf — that includes TeckyGuys Academy.
None of these are the same as a professional OEM certification like CCNA, CompTIA Server+, or DCCA itself. Those require a separate, provider-controlled examination — one you register for and take independently, usually for an additional fee not included in tuition unless stated in writing.
What TeckyGuys Academy Actually Provides
TeckyGuys pathways are built around official Cisco Networking Academy coursework, combined with hands-on TeckyGuys labs, simulations, and capstone assessments. Depending on the pathway and level completed, eligible students receive:
- Applicable Cisco Networking Academy course-completion certificates and digital badges — these are real Cisco-issued credentials, earned by completing the required Cisco courses through the Academy
- TeckyGuys Academy pathway-level awards — recognition that you completed the required coursework, labs, and capstone assessment for that level
- Where applicable, approved physical-infrastructure course credentials (e.g., the Schneider Electric University coursework aligned with DCCA in the Data Center Engineering pathway)
How the Pieces Fit Together
Think of it as three connected but distinct things:
Training
TeckyGuys coursework and labs build your actual skills and give you hands-on, evidence-based practice.
Course credentials
Completing Cisco Networking Academy courses earns you real Cisco course-completion certificates and badges, issued by Cisco.
Professional Certification
The CCNA, CompTIA, LPIC-1, RHCSA, or DCCA exam itself is a separate step, controlled entirely by that provider, with its own fees, exam content, and pass/fail standards.
Completing a TeckyGuys pathway prepares you for that final step — it doesn’t replace it.
Why This Matters When You're Choosing a Program
A lot of confusion (and disappointment) in tech training comes from unclear promises. Before enrolling anywhere, it’s worth asking:
Does this program include the certification exam fee, or only training toward it?
Is the "award" I'll receive from the school, or from the actual certification body?
What's the current, official requirement for the certification I'm aiming for?
TeckyGuys Academy is upfront about this distinction at every pathway level — you’ll always know whether what you’ve earned is a Cisco-issued credential, a TeckyGuys Academy award, or a milestone toward a certification exam you’ll still need to register for separately.
Certifications Across Our Pathways
Depending on which pathway you choose, your training prepares you toward exams like:
Networking & Infrastructure
CCST Networking, CCNA, CCNP Enterprise
Cybersecurity
CCST Cybersecurity, CyberOps Associate
Linux & Systems Administration
Linux Essentials, LPIC-1, CompTIA Linux+, RHCSA
Data Center Engineering
DCCA, with optional preparation for CompTIA Server+
Programming & Development
Python Institute and JavaScript Institute certifications, among others
AI & Data Science
Provider certifications from Cisco, IBM, Microsoft, AWS, Google Cloud, and Databricks
Ready to Start Building Toward a Real Certification?
Know exactly what you’re working toward — and what it takes to get there.