The universal IT entry-level cert. No experience required. Covers hardware, OS, networking, and troubleshooting fundamentals.
CompTIA A+ is an accessible entry point with no formal experience gate — a reasonable starting credential if you're new to this field, typically completed in weeks rather than months.
The universal IT entry-level cert. No experience required. Covers hardware, OS, networking, and troubleshooting fundamentals.
Key topics covered: Hardware components, Networking basics, Operating systems, Security fundamentals, Virtualization & cloud, Troubleshooting methodology.
Best suited for: Anyone starting an IT career. Career changers, students, help desk professionals.
Common career paths: IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, Technical Support Engineer, Desktop Support Analyst.
Anyone starting an IT career. Career changers, students, help desk professionals.
Full step-by-step roadmap coming soon. See the roadmap page for updates.
IT Support SpecialistHelp Desk TechnicianTechnical Support EngineerDesktop Support Analyst
The universal IT entry-level cert. No experience required. Covers hardware, OS, networking, and troubleshooting fundamentals. offered by CompTIA, focused on IT Fundamentals.
CompTIA A+ is issued by CompTIA.
CompTIA A+ is classified as Beginner-level. It typically requires no prior professional experience in the field.
The CompTIA A+ exam costs $246. Always confirm current pricing on the official CompTIA certification page, as fees change periodically.
Professionals holding CompTIA A+ commonly report compensation in the $55K–$75K range, though actual pay varies by employer, geography, and total experience.
CompTIA A+ is categorized under IT Fundamentals on CertPlanet, alongside other related certifications you can compare directly.
That depends on your current experience level and goals — as a Beginner-level credential, it's generally a low-risk way to validate foundational knowledge before committing to costlier, advanced certifications.
See the dedicated comparison page for CompTIA A+ to view it side-by-side against alternative certifications in IT Fundamentals.
Registration happens directly through CompTIA's official certification portal, linked from this page.
A structured, step-by-step study roadmap for CompTIA A+ is available on this site, built around the exam's actual focus areas rather than a generic study checklist.