The world runs on Open Source. From global commerce and finance to AI and critical infrastructure, the software that powers progress is increasingly built in the open. But Open Source in the enterprise isn’t just about technology—it’s about collaboration at scale. That’s why we’re excited to highlight the Certified Open Source Developer for Enterprise (CODE) certification, led by the TODO Group and Linux Foundation Training & Certification, with the Open Source Initiative (OSI) contributing as a supporting partner.
Whether you’re a developer, technologist, or organizational leader, CODE validates the skills enterprises need to harness Open Source effectively—not just technically, but responsibly and sustainably.
“25 years ago, Open Source was in a different place, and the needs of developers have changed. This certification helps both individual developers and the organizations that rely on the Open Source Definition to assure that Open Source continues providing critical value to the innovation engine upon which the global economy and human progress depend.” — Stefano Maffulli, Executive Director, Open Source Initiative
Why OSI supports CODE
As stewards of the Open Source Definition, OSI has long championed software freedom as a foundation for innovation. But Open Source software is more than a licensing model—it’s a shared responsibility. Developers are not only contributors; they’re gatekeepers of security, compliance, and sustainability.
The CODE certification bridges a crucial gap in the enterprise Open Source landscape. It trains certified professionals to apply Open Source practices in ways that align with enterprise risk management, strategic goals, and the values embedded in the Open Source community.
Domains and competencies
The CODE certification exam evaluates knowledge across key areas that are essential for navigating Open Source in the enterprise:
Fundamentals of Open Source Software Development
Issues & Pull Requests
Code Reviews
Principles of Open Source Software
Open Source Communities
Release Management and Semantic Versioning
Open Source Licensing and Usage Guidelines
Intellectual Property, Software Licensing, & Open Source Legalities
Open Source & Copyleft License Compliance
Risk Assessments
Export Control Regulations & Compliance
Contributor License Agreements (CLA) & Developer Certificate of Origins (DCO)
Consuming Open Source Software
Codebase Risk
Software Maintenance Plans
The Software Supply Chain
Code Dependencies
Open Source Software Approval Process
Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Contributing to Open Source
Contribution Strategy
Code and Documentation Best Practices
Copyright Ownership and Intellectual Property
Contribution Risks
Project Types: Business, Personal, and Open Source
Contribution Approval Processes
Open Source Management Operations
Contributing to Upstream Projects
Developer Support
Open Source Management Roles and Escalation Paths
Acknowledgments to exam developers and beta testers
CODE certification would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of CODE exam development team. These contributors helped define the core competencies, shape the exam outline, create exam content, and help establish the passing score, ensuring the exam reflects enterprise-level open source responsibilities:
AmyJune Hineline
Ana Jiménez Santamaría
Angel Ramirez
Alin Jerpelea
Brittany Istenes
Eduard Itrich
Georg Kunz
Ivan Cvitkovic
Nico Rikken
Nick Vidal
Oluchi Nwenyi
SKi Sankhe
Thierry Carrez
Tracy Hinds
Victoria Poromon
In addition to these exam developers, over 30 subject matter experts (SMEs) contributed to other key areas of the certification, including validating exam questions and participating as beta testers. These professionals came from more than 30 different organizations worldwide across industries.
I deeply value the collective, vendor-neutral approach taken throughout the development of the CODE certification. It brings together real-world expertise from across the ecosystem, making CODE a strong, community-driven alternative to traditional single-vendor certification paths — Ana Jiménez Santamaría, Project Manager, TODO Group (Linux Foundation)
Get started today
When a developer earns the CODE credential, they signal more than technical expertise—they demonstrate a commitment to a collaboration mindset in the Open Source ecosystem. For enterprises, CODE helps reduce friction, avoid compliance pitfalls, and create a culture where Open Source can thrive and deliver massive value to everyone involved, from customers to partners.
The Open Source Initiative is proud to support the work of the TODO Group and the Linux Foundation in launching CODE as a valuable next step for professionals and organizations committed to software freedom, long-term sustainability, and collaboration at scale. Whether you’re building software or building teams, CODE gives you—and your stakeholders—the confidence to do it right.
Learn more and register here: Certified Open Source Developer for Enterprise (CODE)
Use redemption code CODE.Launch25 for a special launch discount.
Source: opensource.org