By Quick answer: Are IT certifications worth it in 2027?
- Worth it — for entry and mid-level IT roles that name them.
- Less worth it — for senior roles where experience dominates.
- Key — projects and practice matter most.
- Before paying — take a free practice test.
Key takeaways
- Certifications help most when they match the role you want.
- Proctored exams carry more weight than completion badges.
- Pair any certification with proof of work.
It certifications are popular, but not all are worth your time or money. Here's an honest view of when they help, when they don't and which ones are worth it.
It certifications that are worth it
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CompTIA A+CompTIA | Two exams1 | 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam | Free test |
| 2 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store2 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1503 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 4 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page4 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country5 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | 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 A+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA A+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- Cisco CCNA Practice TestPractise for Cisco CCNA before you pay.Start free test →
Each one, and who it's worth it for
- CompTIACompTIA A+Help deskTwo exams
- CompTIACompTIA Security+SecurityVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateCloud$150
CompTIA A+
- Cost
- Two exams1
- Format
- 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on IT support
Help desk standard; accredited. 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 forhelp desk
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store2
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Entry security; accredited. 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
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1503
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
$150 cloud. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forcloud
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page4
Networking; accredited. 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
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country5
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Azure admin. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forAzure
Worth it, or not?
| Worth it when… | Not worth it when… |
|---|---|
| For entry and mid-level it roles that name them | For senior roles where experience dominates |
| It's proctored or project-based | It's a completion badge only |
| Job posts name it | Nobody in your market asks for it |
Table: When IT certifications are worth it
How we ranked these picks
We judged certifications by fit to roles, assessment rigour and employer recognition. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Do IT jobs require certifications?
Many entry roles list them.
Which IT certification is most worth it?
Depends on path: A+, Security+, CCNA or a cloud exam.
Are they worth it for seniors?
Less; experience dominates.
Do they expire?
Many renew every one to three years.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free IT tests.
Sources
- CompTIA — CompTIA A+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), 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
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