The Ultimate Guide To Comptia Certification Path
CompTIA is a nonprofit trade association that is made up of 3000 business partners and 2000 members organisations. Focusing on educating and certifying IT professionals, their headquarters are near Chicago, and they are prominent figures in public policy advocacy, as well as philanthropy.
What is a CompTIA Certification?
A CompTIA certification is one of the most recognised in the IT industry, designed to educate and upskill IT technicians across the country to ensure success when supporting and managing IT infrastructures. Grouped by skill set, the certifications fall into four categories ranging from Core, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity and further Professional certifications.
Extremely popular, the CompTIA A+ is an entry-level certification created by IT industry professionals that is designed for PC service technicians. Validating skills needed for most entry-level IT jobs, it is earned by passing two exams. It covers a broad range of knowledge required by IT technicians, including customising, operating, installing and maintaining personal computers. Sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association, the certificate isn’t just about computer repairs and is relevant to many IT job roles today that can be found on Field Engineer. The certification prepares candidates to problem-solve a wide variety of issues including mobile services, networking and operating systems and security.
CompTIA Certifications List
CompTIA certifications can be broken into four separate categories. It is important to remember that one certificate isn’t better from the other and that the ‘best’ certification will depend on the career path that you choose to go down.
There are four core CompTIA certifications which consist of:
- CompTIA A +
- CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
- CompTIA Network+Cybersecurity
- CompTIA Security +
Infrastructure certifications include:
- CompTIA Linux+
- CompTIA Cloud+
- CompTIA Server+
Cybersecurity certifications include:
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner+ (CASP+)
- CompTIA PenTest+
Additional professional certifications include:
- CompTIA Project+
- CompTIA Cloud Essentials
- CompTIA CTT+
What are the Requirements for These Certifications?
For the four core certifications, the following requirements are highly recommended:
- CompTIA A+ -9 to 12 months of hands-on eCompTIA Certificationxperience in the lab or field
- CompTIA IT Fundamentals - No prior experience is necessary
- CompTIA Network + - CompTIA A+ Certification and At least 9 to 12 months of networking experience
- CompTIA Security +- CompTIA Network+ and two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus
For more information regarding requirements for additional certifications, or anything else, go to the official CompTIA website.
How to Get CompTIA Certifications?
There are four steps to obtaining a CompTIA Certification, with the option to take the exam either online or in person.
Step 1 - First, you need to choose your certification. It is beneficial to research what IT certifications are available to select the one that best matches your interests and aligns with your future career goals.
Step 2 - Before your training begins, you need to get familiar with your exam and get a greater understanding of the certification as a whole. A great way to do this would be to study exam objectives and practise test questions to get a rough idea of the types of topics and questions that will be covered.
Step 3 - Now, you can begin learning the materials and training for your certification. With a wide variety of learning tools ranging from traditional study guides to online training, interactive labs and online exam prep, you have the freedom to create a learning experience that is best suited to your learning style to obtain maximum results.
Step 4 - Once you’ve studied and feel ready, you can register and take your exam. If you have chosen to take your exam online, you have the added benefit and ease of choosing a quiet and secure location of your choosing.
CompTIA Certification Career Path
CompTIA Certifications adhere to different paths to help you progress in your career, each one building upon the last to provide you with clear visibility to keep moving forward. Validating the skills you will need in your professional career, each one has recommended experience levels, and it is recommended that you choose the certification that best fits your current experience. Whichever career path you decide to go down, it is vital to highlight the advanced skills and knowledge obtained through these certifications in your resume, especially when applying for a job via Field Engineer.
CompTIA certifications offer two distinct career paths: Infrastructure or Cybersecurity.
Infrastructure - Providing training in the fundamentals of IT operations, the infrastructure path offers a combination of CompTIA Server +, Linux+ and Cloud+ to deepen your knowledge and expertise of skills needed within IT infrastructure roles.
Cybersecurity - Due to the increase in cyberattacks, skilled professionals with knowledge on the topic are more in demand than ever. The Cybersecurity pathway nurtures practical and hands-on skills to tackle the issue, helping technicians to provide the best security possible and offers CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) as well as the penetration tester certification.
How Much Can you Earn After a CompTIA Certification?
While a CompTIA certification will undoubtedly help you to progress in the IT support industry and attract the attention of employers, how much you earn will ultimately depend on the direction that you want to go in. As anticipated, the earning potential for CompTIA Certification holders increases alongside additional certifications and experience, and an entry-level A+ qualified professional can earn roughly $40,000 annually.
Is a CompTIA Certification Worth it?
Respected in the industry and internationally accepted, a CompTIA certification is definitely worth it, helping you to land entry-level jobs with the A+ and more prominent industry jobs with the additional industry-specific certifications that are on offer. Equipping you with fundamental IT knowledge, a CompTIA certification, no matter which one you choose, will enable you to land bigger and better roles, providing progression in your IT career.
CompTIA certifications are both respected and recognised within the IT industry and are a great way to progress in your career and move up the ladder. Providing you with a world of knowledge, any CompTIA certification, or a combination of more than one, will make you valuable to every organisation, and is sure to make you stand out against the competition.
