Which Certification Should I Start With?
Choosing a first certification can feel overwhelming. Here is a practical guide based on your experience level and career goals.
Brand New to IT
If you have little or no IT experience, start with CompTIA A+. It covers hardware, operating systems, networking basics, and troubleshooting — the foundational skills every IT professional needs. A+ is widely recognized by employers and is often the first certification listed in help-desk and desktop-support job postings.
Some Experience, Want to Specialize
- Interested in networking? Go with CompTIA Network+. It builds on A+ concepts and dives deeper into network architecture, protocols, and troubleshooting.
- Interested in cybersecurity? Start with CompTIA Security+. It is the industry baseline for security roles and is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense for certain positions.
- Interested in Linux/servers? Try CompTIA Linux+. It covers system administration, scripting, and server management on Linux distributions.
Interested in Cloud
- AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) is the easiest entry point into cloud certifications. It covers AWS services at a high level and requires no prior cloud experience.
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is the equivalent starting point for the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.
- After either fundamentals cert, you can move to AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) for a more technical deep dive.
Use the Skill Diagnostic
Not sure where you stand? Take our Skill Diagnostic assessment. It tests your knowledge across multiple domains and recommends the certification that best matches your current level.
General Advice
- Start with one certification at a time. Spreading your study across multiple exams leads to burnout.
- Set a target exam date and work backward to create a study schedule.
- Use the Exam Readiness Score to know when you are truly prepared.
The most important step is starting. Pick a cert, commit to a study plan, and trust the process.
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