What Is the CompTIA A+ Certification? A Certification to Start Your IT Career

The CompTIA A+ certification is an entry-level qualification in the information technology (IT) industry. Issued by IT association CompTIA, the A+ certification is widely accepted as an industry standard certification often used to start a career in IT. Keep in mind that while certificate programs include education, certifications typically only contain an exam, meaning you'll need to study on your own to pass.

If you need to obtain critical IT training and experience before taking the CompTIA A+ exam, you can earn 30% off the exam price plus a dual credential for your study by enrolling in the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program.

CompTIA A+ certification overview

Here's a quick look at the basics [1]:

• The CompTIA A+ is composed of two exams in the Core Series—the 220-1101 and 220-1102.

• The exam costs $253 in the US, as of October 2024

• The exams will test your knowledge of operating systems, mobile devices, security, networking, hardware, and virtualization and cloud computing.

• There are several training programs that will prepare you for the CompTIA A+ exams which we'll discuss in the sections below, including the Google IT Support Professional Certificate which brings the exam cost down to $177.10, and the CompTIA CertMaster Learn for A+ Core 1.

Learn more: 5 Essential IT Certifications: Entry-Level and Beginner

What jobs can I get with the CompTIA A+ certification?

The CompTIA A+ certification is widely recognized as the go-to certification for an entry-level position in IT. Here are a few entry-level jobs that often call for the CompTIA A+ certification, and their average US base salaries (according to October 2024 data from Glassdoor).

• Help desk analyst: $55,862

• IT technician: $48,794

• Help desk specialist: $51,019

• Technical support specialist: $49,072

• Desktop support administrator: $58,089

• System support specialist: $71,530

• Associate network engineer: $89,602

Keep in mind that this number might change depending on where you’re located—IT jobs in large cities might pay more than those in smaller towns to adjust for cost of living, for example. Other factors, like your education level and previous experience, can also influence your salary.

Read more: 7 IT Career Paths and How to Get Started in 2024

What’s on the CompTIA A+ exam?

The exam for the certification combines multiple-choice questions and performance-based questions. The exam broadly tests your knowledge of various IT basics in categories including hardware, software, networking, operating systems, and security. Expect questions to cover the following domains:

Read more: Information Technology (IT) Terms: A to Z Glossary

Domains for exam 220-1101

• Mobile devices: Installing and configuring laptops and mobile devices

• Networking: Types of networks and connections (TCP/IP, wifi, SOHO, etc.)

• Hardware: Identifying, using, and connecting devices and hardware components

• Virtualization and cloud computing: Comparing cloud concepts and setting up client-side virtualization

• Hardware and network troubleshooting: Solving issues with devices and networks

Domains for exam 220-1102

• Operating systems: Installing and configuring Windows OS, and understanding Mac OS, Linux, and mobile OS

• Security: Identifying and protecting against vulnerabilities in both devices and networks

• Software troubleshooting: Resolving issues with applications on PC and mobile devices, including security support

• Operational procedures: Best practices for safety, sustainability, communication, and professionalism

How to get a CompTIA A+ certification

There are several ways you can prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam: 

• Online, instructor led-courses can prepare you for the exam. 

• Community colleges in your area might offer preparatory courses.

• Self-study—learning through online videos or books without an instructor—can also work. 

Whatever method you choose, CompTIA recommends nine to 12 months hands-on experience in the lab or field and dedicating 120 hours to prepare for the test.

Read more: How to Get the CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ training courses

Google IT Support Professional Certificate

• What you need to know: A standalone certificate, the Google IT Support Professional Certificate also prepares learners for the CompTIA A+ exam by covering more than 85 percent of exam topics. 

• Price: $59 a month subscription to Coursera Plus, with a free trial week (subject to change). The exam is not included, but learners receive a 30-percent discount on the exam.

• Total time: 3-6 months

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate helped give me the confidence to apply for IT roles. I don't have the traditional instructional background in the field but my hands-on learning and what I've gained from the Google program propelled me forward.

- Stevenson Benoit, Google IT Support Professional Certificate graduate 

CompTIA CertMaster Learn + Labs

• What you need to know: CertMaster Learn for A+ comes packaged with CertMaster Labs to offer a combination of knowledge prep and hands-on skill building. Lessons are designed to create a 15-30 minute presentation on a job task, include practice questions, and a simulation exam. Graded Virtual Workbench Labs let learners practice in an immersive 3D environment and Virtual Machine Labs simulate real-world experience with a server network.

• Price: $916. The exam is not included but can be bundled with training at a discount.

• Total time: 40-50 hours

Preparation for CompTIA A+ Certification Exams Specialization

• What you need to know: You can use IBM's Preparation for CompTIA A+ Certification Exams Specialization course series to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam in about one month. It includes coursework and hands on experience with Active Directory, Microsoft Windows security tools, troubleshooting, and mobile device security, as well as a practice exam.

• Price: $59 a month subscription to Coursera Plus, with a free trial week (subject to change). The exam is not included.

• Total time: 1 month

CompTIA A+ practice exams

If you opt for self-study, you can still take structured practice exams provided by IBM to gauge your readiness to pass. Both practice exams together take about 5 hours to complete.

CompTIA A+ vs. CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)

CompTIA offers two separate entry-level certifications, the CompTIA A+, and the CompTIA IT Fundamentals, or ITF+. They’re slightly different. The CompTIA A+ is billed as a certification that will test you on the knowledge needed to land an entry-level IT job. The ITF+, on the other hand, is designed for students and professionals who want to see if IT is the right career fit. The ITF+ exam is also used by non-IT professionals who want a broad introduction to the field.

Which should you choose?

If you’re still on the fence about whether you’d like a job in IT, getting the ITF+ can be a good way to test the waters. If you know you want to commit to IT work and are ready to gain job-ready skills, the A+ certification is probably a better path.

Leveraging your certification

If you’ve passed the exam, take some steps to ensure the certification is visible to key players. Add it to your resume and LinkedIn, and if you’re already in a related career, inform your employer. And it’ll be worth looking at other entry-level IT certifications—keeping an eye on what other certifications are out there can help you make decisions today on what you’d like your future career to look like.

What's next after the CompTIA A+?

For many IT professionals, the CompTIA A+ is the first of many certifications earned over the course of their careers. Since the A+ certification is fairly general, you may choose to move into an IT specialization, like networking, cybersecurity, or cloud computing. CompTIA offers more advanced certifications in these fields, as do many other reputable organizations. Take a look at this IT certification roadmap to inspire your next career goal.

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