IT Support

IT support is the most common way into a technology career, and its entry certification is the one hiring managers recognise without explanation. Here is what the credential is, roughly what it costs, how long people typically prepare, and what the job leads to afterwards.

For information and self-assessment only, to help you prepare. Always refer to the official certifying body's own materials and content outline as the source of record.

Official body: CompTIA ↗ — publisher of the A+ certification and its exam objectives

Typical cost: $250–$600; Range reviewed 2026-08-05. Confirm current fees with the certifying body.
Typical prep time: 8–20 weeks; Varies widely with prior experience.
Certifying body: CompTIA

What the entry certification is

CompTIA A+ is the widely recognised starting credential for IT support work. It is vendor-neutral, meaning it tests concepts rather than one manufacturer's products, and it is structured as two separate exams covering hardware and operating systems respectively. CompTIA publishes the exam objectives as a free document, and that document — not any third-party course — is the definitive statement of what is examinable.

What it actually costs

The exam fees are the floor rather than the total. Two exams are required, retakes are charged separately, and most people add either a study bundle or a practice-platform subscription. Employers frequently reimburse the cost on passing, and some pay upfront, so it is worth asking before you buy anything — that question alone is often worth several hundred dollars.

How long people prepare

Two to five months is the usual range for someone studying alongside a job, and it varies enormously with prior experience. Anyone who has built a computer, run a home network, or fixed family machines for years is often closer to the short end. The material rewards hands-on practice more than reading, which is why timelines built around lab time tend to hold better than ones built around chapters.

Where it leads

Help desk / service desk technician
The usual first role: ticket-based support, password resets, hardware swaps, and the troubleshooting method applied dozens of times a day. It is where the pattern recognition comes from.
Desktop support / field technician
More autonomy and more hardware, often across several sites. Frequently the point at which people pick a direction: networking, security, or systems administration.
Systems or network administrator
Managing the infrastructure rather than the endpoints. Usually two to four years in, and usually alongside a second certification aimed at the chosen specialism.

Not sure you are ready?

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a degree for IT support work?

Generally no, and this is one of the few technology fields where that is straightforwardly true rather than aspirational. Employers hiring for help desk roles routinely list a certification and demonstrable hands-on ability instead of a degree, because the work is verifiable in an interview.

Is A+ worth it if I already fix computers?

Often yes, for a specific reason: it converts informal experience into something an applicant tracking system can filter for. If you already have the skills, the preparation is shorter and the credential mostly buys you past the first screening stage rather than teaching you the job.

How hard is the exam?

It is broad rather than deep, which catches people out in a particular way — the difficulty is coverage rather than complexity. Most failures come from a topic the candidate skipped entirely rather than from questions that were too hard, which is why our practice test breaks results down by topic.

Should I take the practice test before or after studying?

Before, and then again afterwards. An early attempt tells you which topics need the time, which is far more useful than starting at chapter one and working through material you may already know. The second attempt then measures what changed rather than what you knew all along.

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