What Is the CompTIA A+ Certification? (And How to Get One)

The CompTIA A+ certification is an entry-level qualification in the information technology (IT) industry. Issued by IT association CompTIA, or, The Computing Technology Industry Association, 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.

What is CompTIA A+ certification?

The A+ certification is a valued credential to feature on your resume, showing that you have the knowledge and skills to work in information technology (IT). It is composed of two exams in the Core Series—the 220-1101 and 220-1102. Each exam tests your knowledge of operating systems, mobile devices, security, networking, hardware, and virtualization and cloud computing.

CompTIA A+ certification cost

The exam costs $253 in the US, as of May 2025 [1]. There are several training programs that can help 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: Free IT Certifications and Courses to Elevate Your Career

Where to get CompTIA A+ certification

When you’re interested in taking the A+ certification, you’ll need to create an account with CompTIA to purchase the vouchers needed to schedule your exams. You can take both exams online or at an in-person testing center. Remember that online exams are only available in English, whereas testing centers offer other language options. Check with CompTIA for more details. 

Taking the CompTIA A+ exam online

If you take your exam online, you may need to run a systems check first to ensure you can complete the certification on your computer. During the exam, you’ll want to use just one computer, double-check to ensure you have a strong internet connection, and make sure to close all other applications. 

Once you complete your exam, you’ll immediately get your score results. If unsatisfied with your results, you can take the CompTIA A+ exams again. There’s no waiting period if you want to take the exam a second time, but if you need to take the exam a third time, you will need to wait at least 14 calendar days. You must pay for the cost of the exam each time you take it.

Do you have to renew CompTIA A+ certification?

Your A+ certification will be valid for three years from the date you pass your exam. Every three years, you’ll have the opportunity to extend it for another three years by attending a CompTIA training course, earning another qualified certification, or completing 20 continuing education units.

What jobs can I get with a 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 May 2025 data from Glassdoor).

• IT technician: $48,794

• Help desk technician: $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

How long does it take to get a CompTIA A+ certification?

The amount of time it takes to earn your certification will depend on how many of the exam objectives you’re already familiar with. If you have some experience in IT, you may only need a few days to review the materials. If you’re just getting started in this field, it could take you a few weeks or a few months to prepare, depending on how much time you dedicate to learning.

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 CompTIA A 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 CompTIA A 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.

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 CompTIA A+ 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 CompTIA A+ certification?

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.

5 study tips for the CompTIA A+ certification

Before you register for the CompTIA A+ certification exams, it can be worthwhile to review the subject matter both exams will cover. You can expect questions about mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization, cloud computing, operating systems, security, software, and operational procedures. The questions will test your knowledge about each subject and your ability to think critically about different scenarios.  

Follow these tips to help study for your CompTIA A+ certification:  

1. Figure out your strengths and weaknesses.

Of the subjects listed above, what do you feel most knowledgeable about? If you have a firm understanding of certain subjects, you may not need to spend as much time reviewing them. Instead, focus on the subjects that you don’t know as much about. 

2. Take a free CompTIA A+ practice exam.

CompTIA offers free practice questions for the CompTIA A+ certification, which you can request online. Use this type of practice to get a feel for the subject matter and question types. Are there subjects that felt particularly challenging or that you didn’t do as well on? If so, plan to spend extra time studying them so you feel more prepared when you go to take your certification. 

3. Use an official study guide.

Once you know how you’d do on a practice test, look into using CompTIA’s official study guide to review the areas that you’ll need to spend more time developing. Study guides are self-directed, meaning you can work at your own pace and at a time that best suits you. 

4. Sign up for an online training.

If you do better with instructor-led training, sign up for CompTIA’s online training. These occur at a set time, so you must find one that suits your schedule. Being taught by an instructor can be helpful if you appreciate having a structured study schedule rather than planning alone. 

5. Look for other online resources.

You'll find many free online resources to help you prepare for the A+ certification, including on YouTube and Coursera. For example, you can use the Google IT Support Professional Certificate materials to learn more about each subject the A+ certificate covers. 

Consider these articles that you can use to learn more about the certification and compare it to related options:

• The CompTIA Certification Path Explained

• 5 CompTIA A+ Jobs to Know

• Your CompTIA A+ Salary Guide

• What is the CompTIA Security+ (Plus) Certification?

• 10 Essential IT Certifications

Take the next step toward becoming CompTIA A+ certified today

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