IT foundation certifications for starting your technology career

Yes - CompTIA A+ remains the most widely recognised entry-level IT certification and appears on the majority of IT support, help desk and field technician job descriptions. It covers hardware, software, networking basics, troubleshooting, operating systems, security fundamentals and cloud computing basics. Most employers in IT support roles consider A+ the baseline expectation.

CompTIA Tech+ is newer (launched 2024) and designed as a stepping stone before A+. It covers IT concepts for people with no prior technical background, including computing fundamentals, networks, hardware and software basics. A+ goes much deeper and is the industry-recognised hiring standard. If you have any IT background at all, start with A+. Tech+ is specifically for absolute beginners who want a structured introduction before A+.

CompTIA A+ consists of two exams: Core 1 (220-1101) covering hardware and networking, and Core 2 (220-1102) covering operating systems and security. Most candidates need 5–8 weeks of study per exam at 8 hours per week. Candidates with some hands-on IT experience often need less. Total preparation time is typically 10–14 weeks for both exams combined.