By Quick answer: Which online certifications are actually accredited?
- Security — Security+, CEH, ISC2 CC, CISSP.
- IT — A+, Network+, CCNA.
- Projects — PMP.
- Not accredited — most course certificates.
Key takeaways
- ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation checks the certification body's process.
- Recognition and accreditation aren't the same: AWS and Microsoft exams are widely recognised regardless.
- Check the ANAB directory yourself before relying on a claim.
'Accredited' is one of the most misused words in online learning. For professional certifications, the meaningful standard is ISO/IEC 17024, checked by bodies such as ANAB. We checked ANAB's directory on 4 November 2026; these eight widely held certifications are listed.
Eight ANAB-accredited certifications
Each is listed in the ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 personnel certification directory, checked 4 November 2026.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store2 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 2 | CompTIA A+CompTIA | Two exams3 | 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam | Free test |
| 3 | CompTIA Network+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store4 | 90 minutes | Free test |
| 4 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page5 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)EC-Council | Check the official page6 | 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours | Free test |
| 6 | ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)ISC2 | See ISC2 page7 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 7 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page8 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 8 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members9 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA A+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA A+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Network+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Network+ before you pay.Start free test →
- Cisco CCNA Practice TestPractise for Cisco CCNA before you pay.Start free test →
Each accredited certification, and who it suits
- CompTIACompTIA Security+SecurityVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- CompTIACompTIA A+IT supportTwo exams
- CompTIACompTIA Network+NetworkingVoucher price on the CompTIA store
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store2
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Listed in the ANAB directory under CompTIA. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forsecurity
CompTIA A+
- Cost
- Two exams3
- Format
- 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on IT support
Listed in the ANAB directory under CompTIA. CompTIA's A+ is two exams covering hardware, operating systems, networking basics and support. It's the help desk credential many job posts name, is ANAB-accredited, and CompTIA recommends about a year of hands-on support experience.
Best forIT support
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store4
- Format
- 90 minutes
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience
Listed in the ANAB directory under CompTIA. CompTIA's Network+ covers networking concepts, infrastructure, operations and troubleshooting in a 90-minute exam. It's vendor-neutral and ANAB-accredited; CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience.
Best fornetworking
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page5
Listed in the ANAB directory under Cisco. Cisco's associate credential covers network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, services, security and automation. It's ANAB-accredited and widely recognised for network engineer roles; check Cisco's page for the fee.
Best fornetworking
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Cost
- Check the official page6
- Format
- 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours
Listed in the ANAB directory under EC-Council. EC-Council's ethical hacking exam has 125 multiple-choice questions in four hours, covering attack techniques and tools. It's ANAB-accredited and often named in penetration testing posts; check EC-Council for the fee.
Best forethical hacking
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- Cost
- See ISC2 page7
- Entry
- No work experience required
Listed in the ANAB directory under ISC2. ISC2's entry credential covers security principles, access control, networks and operations, with no work experience required. It's ANAB-accredited, and ISC2 has run promotions offering free training and exams.
Best forsecurity entry
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page8
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
Listed in the ANAB directory under ISC2; the first information security credential accredited to the standard. ISC2's senior credential covers eight broad security domains and requires five years of paid security experience. It's ANAB-accredited, and US holders averaged $168,060 in Skillsoft's 2025 survey, the highest of any IT certification there.
Best forsenior security
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members9
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
Listed in the ANAB directory under PMI. PMI's Project Management Professional is a 240-minute, 180-question exam covering predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training and costs $425 for PMI members or $675.
Best forproject management
What accreditation means
ISO/IEC 17024 sets requirements for bodies that certify people: fair exams, impartiality, security and renewal. Accreditation checks the certifier's process. It doesn't mean a credential is right for your career, and many valuable credentials (such as AWS and Microsoft exams) are recognised by employers without appearing in this directory.
Accredited, recognised or neither?
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| ISO/IEC 17024 accredited | Security+, CISSP, PMP |
| Widely recognised, vendor exams | AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud |
| Course certificates | Coursera, Kaggle, freeCodeCamp |
| Free practice certificates | Science of Apps tests (not accredited) |
Table: Types of certification
How we ranked these picks
We listed only certifications we found in the ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 personnel certification directory on 4 November 2026. Directory listings can change; check it before relying on accreditation.
Frequently asked questions
Are online certifications accredited?
A few professional certifications are ISO/IEC 17024 accredited; most course certificates are not.
Is PMP accredited?
PMP is listed in the ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 directory (checked 4 November 2026).
Are AWS certifications accredited?
We didn't find them in the ANAB directory, but employers widely recognise them.
Are Science of Apps certificates accredited?
No. They're free, verifiable practice certificates.
How do I check accreditation?
Search the ANAB directory for the certifying body.
Sources
- ANAB — ISO/IEC 17024 personnel certification directory
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA A+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Network+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- EC-Council — Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Science of Apps free certification catalogue — 1,200+ free tests
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The cybersecurity certification roadmap for 2027: from first IT job to CISSPA cybersecurity certification roadmap for 2027: Google Cybersecurity or ISC2 CC, A+ and Network+, Security+, then CEH or CCNA, then CISSP, CISM or CISA.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best cybersecurity certifications of 2027: ten from first job to CISOThe 10 best cybersecurity certifications of 2027: CompTIA Security+, ISC2 CC, CISSP, CISM, CISA, CEH, Google Cybersecurity, CCNA and more, with fees.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 cybersecurity certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones security job posts nameThe top 5 cybersecurity certifications to get hired in 2027: CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH, ISC2 CC and CISM, matched to security job titles.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The highest-paying cybersecurity certifications for 2027, from survey dataThe highest-paying cybersecurity certifications for 2027: CISSP, CISM, CISA, Security+, CEH and CCNA, with Skillsoft survey salary data and exam fees.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top 10 online certifications for immigrants in 2027: globally recognised credentials that travelThe top 10 online certifications for immigrants in 2027: globally recognised AWS, Azure, Security+, PMP, CCNA, Salesforce, PL-300 and Google certificates.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top 10 online certifications for military veterans in 2027: translate service into civilian careersThe top 10 online certifications for military veterans in 2027: Security+, CISSP, PMP, CCNA, AWS, Six Sigma, ITIL 4, CSCP and more for civilian careers.
Get the ideas, not the noise.
Sign up with Google and we’ll send you short UX psychology tips by email — why people tap, stall and leave, and what to do about it. Unsubscribe anytime. Prefer something to keep? Get the free Laws of UX guide as a PDF.
Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
Start with the free CompTIA Security+ Practice Test. 1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.