CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral IT certification that tests your knowledge of hardware, software, and troubleshooting across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems

CompTIA A+ is a two-part certification exam that covers the fundamentals of IT support — the kind of work you do when someone's computer won't start, a printer isn't connecting, or software crashes repeatedly. It's not tied to any single company's products, which means the skills you learn apply whether you're working with Dell machines, Apple computers, or Linux servers. The certification is held by the CompTIA organization, a nonprofit that creates industry standards.

The exam has two parts: Core 1 (exam 220-1101) and Core 2 (exam 220-1102). You must pass both to earn the certification. Each exam costs around $165 to $180 and takes roughly 90 minutes. Most people study for several weeks to several months before attempting either exam, depending on their existing IT background.

Key Takeaways

  • CompTIA A+ tests knowledge of computer hardware, operating systems, networking basics, and troubleshooting — skills used in entry-level IT support roles.
  • The certification requires passing two separate exams (Core 1 and Core 2), each costing around $165 to $180.
  • A+ is vendor-neutral, meaning it covers Windows, Mac, and Linux rather than focusing on one company's ecosystem.
  • Many employers in IT support, help desk, and field service roles prefer or require A+ certification for hiring and promotion.
  • Once earned, A+ certification remains valid for three years; renewal requires passing the current exam version or earning a higher CompTIA certification.

What Core 1 and Core 2 actually test

Core 1 focuses on the physical and logical side of computers. You'll learn about motherboards, RAM, storage drives, power supplies, and how they all connect. The exam also covers mobile devices (phones and tablets), printers, and the basics of networking — what an IP address is, how Wi-Fi works, and what a router does. You'll study operating system installation and basic troubleshooting on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Core 2 shifts to the user-facing side of IT support. This exam covers operating system maintenance, security threats (malware, ransomware, phishing), user account management, and how to handle common software problems. You'll also learn about compliance and data privacy — what GDPR and HIPAA mean in practice, how to handle customer data safely, and what to do if a breach happens. The exam includes scenarios where you have to decide the right troubleshooting step or security response.

Who actually uses A+ certification in their job

Help desk technicians use A+ skills every day. These are the people who answer support tickets, remote into computers to fix problems, and walk users through basic troubleshooting over the phone or chat. Field service technicians travel to offices or homes to repair hardware, replace parts, and set up new equipment — all A+ territory.

Desktop support specialists maintain computers and software across a company's network. Junior system administrators sometimes start with A+ before moving into more specialized roles. Government contractors often require A+ certification because it's recognized as a baseline IT competency standard. Some retail tech support roles (like those at big-box electronics stores) also value or require the certification.

The certification is less common in software development, cloud engineering, or database administration roles, where more specialized certifications are preferred. But if you're starting in IT and don't yet know which direction you want to go, A+ gives you broad foundational knowledge that applies across most support roles.

How A+ compares to other IT entry-level paths

CompTIA also offers Security+ and Network+, which build on A+ knowledge. Security+ goes deeper into cybersecurity threats and defense strategies. Network+ focuses specifically on networking concepts, routing, and infrastructure. Many IT professionals earn A+ first, then move to one of these depending on their career direction.

Microsoft offers the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Administrator Associate certification, which is more specific to Windows environments and server management. Cisco offers entry-level networking certifications like the CCNA. These are more specialized than A+ — they go deeper into one area but don't cover the breadth that A+ does.

If you're unsure whether you want to work in IT support, networking, security, or systems administration, A+ is broader and gives you time to figure out your direction. If you already know you want to focus on, say, network infrastructure, you might skip A+ and go straight to Network+. But most employers in support roles expect or prefer A+ as a baseline.

What studying for A+ actually involves

Study materials include textbooks (CompTIA publishes official study guides), online courses (platforms like Professor Messer, Udemy, and Coursera offer A+ prep), practice exams, and flashcard apps. Many people combine multiple resources — a textbook for deep learning, video courses for visual explanation, and practice exams to test themselves under timed conditions.

The exams are multiple-choice and performance-based. Performance-based questions ask you to simulate real tasks — like configuring network settings, managing user accounts, or identifying a hardware component from a photo. This means you can't just memorize answers; you need to understand how things actually work.

Study time varies widely. If you already work in IT or have hands-on experience, you might study for 4 to 8 weeks. If you're coming from outside IT, 3 to 6 months is more typical. Some people take a bootcamp or formal course, which compresses the timeline but costs more. Self-study with free or low-cost resources takes longer but is less expensive.

How employers view A+ certification

In IT support and help desk roles, A+ is a standard expectation. Many job postings list it as required or strongly preferred. In government and defense contracting, it's often a hard requirement — some contracts specify that a certain percentage of the IT team must hold CompTIA certifications.

The certification also affects pay. Help desk technicians with A+ typically earn more than those without it, though the difference varies by location, company size, and experience. In some regions and industries, the difference is $2,000 to $5,000 per year; in others it's smaller. The certification also opens doors to promotions — moving from help desk to desktop support or junior systems administration roles often requires A+ or equivalent.

That said, A+ alone won't land you a job. Employers want to see either IT work experience or a combination of the certification plus a relevant degree or bootcamp. Some companies will hire someone with A+ and no experience if they also have strong communication skills and can pass a background check, but this is less common.

Renewal and how long the certification lasts

CompTIA A+ certification is valid for three years from the date you pass both exams. After three years, you must renew to keep the certification active. Renewal options include passing the current version of both exams again, or earning a higher CompTIA certification (like Security+ or Network+), which automatically renews your A+ for another three years.

CompTIA updates the exam content every few years to reflect changes in technology. When a new version launches, you have a grace period to take the old version before it retires. If you're studying now, check CompTIA's website to confirm which exam versions are current, because the content and exam numbers change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any experience before taking the A+ exam?

No formal experience is required, but CompTIA recommends at least nine months of hands-on IT support experience. Many people study without that experience and pass, especially if they take a structured course or bootcamp. However, the exam includes practical scenarios, so some real-world context helps you understand why certain troubleshooting steps matter.

Can I take just Core 1 or Core 2, or do I have to take both?

You can take them separately and in any order, but you must pass both to earn the certification. Some people take Core 1 first because it covers foundational hardware and operating system concepts. Others take Core 2 first if they already have support experience. You have 90 days from passing the first exam to pass the second, though you can take longer if needed.

What happens if I fail an exam?

You can retake it. There's a waiting period before your second attempt (usually 14 days), and each attempt costs the full exam fee again. Most study guides include practice exams that simulate the real test, so taking several practice tests before your actual exam reduces the chance of failure.

Is A+ worth it if I want to work in cloud computing or software development?

A+ is less directly relevant to those paths. Cloud roles typically require cloud-specific certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud). Software development roles focus on programming languages and frameworks, not hardware troubleshooting. If you're interested in cloud infrastructure or DevOps, you might skip A+ and go straight to cloud certifications, though some foundational IT knowledge helps.

How much does it cost to get A+ certified?

The two exams cost around $165 to $180 each, so roughly $330 to $360 total for the exams themselves. Study materials vary: free resources like Professor Messer's videos cost nothing, while paid courses range from $15 to $300. Some employers reimburse certification costs, so check with your company before paying out of pocket.