By Quick answer: Which certifications can I get without a degree that lead to good jobs?
- IT — CompTIA A+ and Google IT Support lead to help-desk roles that rarely require degrees.
- Security — Google Cybersecurity, then CompTIA Security+.
- Cloud — AWS Cloud Practitioner, then Azure Administrator or AWS Solutions Architect.
- CRM — Salesforce Administrator, a well-paid path without coding.
Key takeaways
- Tech, security, cloud and CRM are among the fields most willing to hire on certifications and skills rather than degrees.
- Certifications plus a portfolio of hands-on work are the strongest substitute for a degree.
- Some employers and countries still require degrees for certain roles or visas; check before you commit.
A growing number of employers have dropped degree requirements for skills-based roles, especially in IT, security, cloud and CRM. In those fields, a recognised certification plus evidence you can do the work often matters more than a diploma. This guide lists seven certifications that have no degree requirement and lead into fields where people regularly build well-paid careers without one.
Seven no-degree certifications at a glance
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 | Google IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan2 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 3 | Google Cybersecurity Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan3 | 6 months at 7 hours a week | Free test |
| 4 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store4 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 5 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1005 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 6 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country6 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 7 | Salesforce Certified AdministratorSalesforce | Exam fee on Trailhead7 | Self-paced | 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 →
- IT Support and Troubleshooting CertificationPractise for Google IT Support Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the path it opens
- CompTIACompTIA A+IT support with no degreeTwo exams
- CourseraGoogle IT Support Professional CertificateStarting from zero$49/mo Coursera plan
- CourseraGoogle Cybersecurity Professional CertificateA career change into security$49/mo Coursera plan
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
The credential IT support job posts name most often, with no degree requirement. It's the classic way into tech without college. Build a home lab while you study; it gives you real stories for interviews.
Best forIT support with no degree
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan2
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
Designed for people with no degree or experience, with hands-on labs throughout. It's the gentlest way to learn IT fundamentals before taking CompTIA A+. Google's professional certificate covers troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration and security for complete beginners. It takes three to six months at about ten hours a week, with financial aid on Coursera.
Best forstarting from zero
Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan3
- Time
- 6 months at 7 hours a week
A practical, beginner-friendly route into security operations: Linux, SQL, Python, networks and incident response, with interview practice built in. Google's professional certificate teaches security basics with Python, Linux, SQL and SIEM tools through hands-on labs. It's designed for beginners, takes about six months at seven hours a week and offers financial aid.
Best fora career change into security
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store4
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
The certification many security job filters look for, and a baseline for many government-related security roles. It's a natural next step after Google Cybersecurity or a year in IT.
Best forsecurity roles that filter for it
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1005
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
A $100 first step into cloud with no prerequisites. It leads to cloud support roles and sets up the associate-level certifications where pay rises. AWS's entry exam covers cloud concepts, core services, security and billing. It's 90 minutes with 65 questions and costs $100, so it's the usual first cloud exam for beginners and non-technical staff.
Best fora first step into cloud
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country6
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Azure administrators manage cloud environments for organisations that run on Microsoft. The certification has no degree requirement and leads to well-paid sysadmin and cloud roles.
Best fora well-paid cloud admin path
Salesforce Certified Administrator
- Cost
- Exam fee on Trailhead7
Salesforce administration is a well-paid career that doesn't need a degree or coding. Free Trailhead training plus a practice org is enough preparation for many.
Best forCRM roles without coding
How to compete with candidates who have degrees
- Show proof — a home lab, a deployed project or a configured Salesforce org beats a line on a résumé.
- Match the job's words — list the exact tools and certifications the posting names.
- Get a referral — skills-based hiring still runs on referrals; join local tech communities.
- Start where hiring is steady — help desk, support and admin roles, then move up.
- Keep certifying — each step up the path replaces the degree question with evidence.
When a degree still matters
Some roles and employers still require degrees, particularly in government, some large enterprises and for certain work visas. Research and senior specialist roles may also expect one. If your target role or country requires a degree, a certification won't replace it, so check job posts and visa rules first.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications with no degree requirement that lead into fields where skills-based hiring is common, and ordered them from most beginner-friendly to those with higher pay potential. Costs and formats come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What certification can I get without a degree?
Most professional IT, security, cloud and CRM certifications have no degree requirement, including CompTIA A+, Security+, Google's career certificates, AWS and Azure certifications and Salesforce Administrator. Some senior credentials require work experience rather than a degree.
Can a certification replace a degree?
For many skills-based roles in IT, security, cloud and CRM, yes: employers increasingly hire on certifications and evidence of skills. For some employers, government roles and visas, a degree is still required.
Which certification without a degree pays the most?
Cloud and security paths have the strongest long-term pay. Azure Administrator, AWS Solutions Architect and, later, CISSP lead to well-paid roles. Salesforce Administrator offers good pay without coding.
How do I get my first job without a degree?
Earn an entry certification such as CompTIA A+ or AWS Cloud Practitioner, build one hands-on project, tailor your résumé to each job post and apply to roles that hire beginners steadily, such as help desk and cloud support.
Are there free certifications without degree requirements?
Yes. ISC2's Certified in Cybersecurity has offered free training and exam promotions, and Google Skillshop, HubSpot Academy and freeCodeCamp offer free certifications. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests.
Sources
- CompTIA — CompTIA A+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Salesforce — Salesforce Certified Administrator, 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 top 10 online certifications for people without a degree in 2027: skills-first routes into good jobsThe top 10 online certifications for people without a degree in 2027: Google career certificates, CompTIA A+ and Security+, AWS, Salesforce, CPC and more.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The easiest certifications that pay well in 2027: seven low-barrier credentials that lead to solid jobsThe 7 easiest certifications that pay well in 2027: AWS Cloud Practitioner, Salesforce Admin, CompTIA A+, ISC2 CC and more, with costs and next steps.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Six-month certifications that pay well in 2027: seven you can finish in half a year7 certifications you can earn in about six months that lead to well-paid roles in 2027: AWS SAA, Security+, PL-300, Salesforce, Google Data Analytics and more.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best certifications to break into tech in 2027: eight routes for people starting from outsideThe 8 best certifications to break into tech in 2027: Google IT Support, Data Analytics, UX, AWS, Security+, Salesforce, freeCodeCamp and Google AI Essentials.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best certifications to get a job fast in 2027: seven built around roles that hire beginners quicklyThe 7 best certifications to get a job fast in 2027: Google IT Support, CompTIA A+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, Salesforce Admin and more, plus a 90-day plan.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best networking certifications of 2027: seven for network engineers and IT staffThe 7 best networking certifications of 2027: Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+, A+, Security+, Google IT Support, AWS Solutions Architect and Azure AZ-104.
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 A+ 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.