Docker Certified Associate (DCA): Complete Guide 2026

What is Docker DCA?

The Docker Certified Associate (DCA) validates your ability to work with Docker Enterprise platform in production environments. Now managed by Mirantis, this certification demonstrates expertise in containerization, orchestration, and Docker ecosystem.

Exam Domains & Weights

Domain 1: Orchestration (25%)

• Docker Swarm mode setup and management
• Service deployment and scaling
• Stack and compose file configuration
• Rolling updates and rollbacks
• Node management and labels

Domain 2: Image Creation & Registry (20%)

• Dockerfile best practices
• Multi-stage builds
• Image tagging and versioning
• Registry configuration (DTR/MSR)
• Image signing and scanning

Domain 3: Installation & Configuration (15%)

• Docker Engine installation
• Docker Enterprise setup
• Storage driver configuration
• Logging drivers

Domain 4: Networking (15%)

• Bridge, host, overlay, and macvlan networks
• Docker network troubleshooting
• Container DNS configuration
• Port publishing and load balancing

Domain 5: Security (15%)

• Docker content trust
• Security scanning
• Role-based access control (RBAC)
• Secrets management

Domain 6: Storage & Volumes (10%)

• Volume types and drivers
• Bind mounts vs volumes
• Persistent storage strategies

Prerequisites

• 6-12 months hands-on Docker experience
• Basic Linux knowledge
• Understanding of container security
• Cloud provider familiarity helpful

Career Impact

• Average salary: $100,000 - $140,000 USD
• DevOps Engineer and SRE roles
• Container platform specialist positions
• Foundation for Kubernetes certifications