Validates knowledge of security threats, protective controls, risk management and incident response across modern IT environments.
439EntryNo prerequisites
Best CompTIA Certifications in 2026
CompTIA is an IT certification and training company whose vendor-neutral certifications cover IT support, networking, cloud, cybersecurity, Linux, data and project management.
Validates foundational IT support knowledge across hardware, operating systems, networking, security and troubleshooting common technical problems.
548EntryNo prerequisites
Validates knowledge of networking concepts, implementation, operations, security and troubleshooting for managing and supporting modern networks.
399EntryNo prerequisites
Validates knowledge of security operations, including alert and log analysis, vulnerability prioritization, incident handling and reporting.
439IntermediateNo prerequisites
Validates knowledge of cloud architecture, deployment, operations, security, DevOps fundamentals and troubleshooting across multi-vendor cloud environments.
399IntermediateNo prerequisites
Validates foundational IT knowledge across computing basics, hardware, software, programming concepts, databases and security.
129EntryNo prerequisites
Validates foundational knowledge of project management concepts, life cycle phases, tools and documentation, and IT governance basics.
399IntermediateNo prerequisites
Validates knowledge of enterprise security architecture and engineering, including governance, risk, compliance and security operations.
544AdvancedNo prerequisites
Validates knowledge of Linux system management, services and users, security, automation and scripting, and troubleshooting.
399IntermediateNo prerequisites
Validates knowledge of AI concepts, securing AI systems, AI-assisted security operations, and AI governance, risk and compliance.
298IntermediateNo prerequisites
Validates foundational data analytics skills across data concepts, acquisition and preparation, analysis, visualization, reporting and data governance.
264EntryNo prerequisites
Validates practical skills in planning, performing and reporting penetration tests, from scoping and reconnaissance to exploitation and post-exploitation.
439IntermediateNo prerequisites
How CompTIA certifications work
- Exam fees
- Fees depend on the certification. A+ requires two exams.
- Validity
- Most CompTIA certifications are valid for three years.
- Renewal
- Continuing education units and CE fees, or a qualifying exam.
- Stacking
- Specified higher exams renew related CompTIA credentials.
- Delivery
- Pearson VUE test center or online
Choosing the right CompTIA certification
Where to start
- New to IT: CompTIA A+. Covers hardware, operating systems, networking, security and troubleshooting for help desk and technician roles, across two exams. Skip it if you already have a year of IT support experience.
- Networking: CompTIA Network+. Covers network infrastructure, operations, security and troubleshooting across vendors. CompTIA recommends A+ and 9 to 12 months of hands-on network experience.
- A first security job: CompTIA Security+. Covers core security concepts, threats, controls and operations for IT and junior security roles, and is the CompTIA certification job postings mention most. CompTIA recommends Network+ and two years in a security or systems administrator role.
- Defensive analysis: CompTIA CySA+. Covers threat detection, vulnerability management and incident response for SOC and vulnerability analysts. CompTIA's cybersecurity pathway places it after Security+.
- Offensive security: CompTIA PenTest+. Covers planning, performing and reporting penetration tests, for vulnerability assessment and junior pentest roles. CompTIA recommends Network+ and Security+ knowledge and 3–4 years in a penetration tester role.
- Linux, cloud and DevOps: CompTIA Linux+. Covers Linux system management, security, automation and scripting for systems administration, cloud and DevOps work. CompTIA recommends A+, Network+ or Server+ knowledge and 12 months of hands-on Linux server experience.