By Quick answer: What is the IT certification roadmap for 2027?
- Stage 1 — Start.
- Stage 2 — Network.
- Stage 3 — Security or cloud.
- Stage 4 — Specialise.
Key takeaways
- Each stage builds on the last.
- Stop when you reach the role you want.
- Hands-on practice at every stage.
It careers move in clear stages. This roadmap names the certification for each one, so you know what to take next and where you can stop.
The roadmap 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 | Google IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan1 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 2 | CompTIA A+CompTIA | Two exams2 | 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam | Free test |
| 3 | CompTIA Network+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store3 | 90 minutes | Free test |
| 4 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page4 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store5 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 6 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1506 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 7 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country7 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 8 | Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)Linux Foundation / CNCF | $4458 | 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam | Free test |
| 9 | ITIL 4 FoundationPeopleCert / AXELOS | Check the official page9 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 10 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page10 | Check issuer | 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.)
- IT Support and Troubleshooting CertificationPractise for Google IT Support Professional Certificate 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 stage, and the certification for it
- CourseraGoogle IT Support Professional CertificateStage 1: Start$49/mo Coursera plan
- CompTIACompTIA A+Stage 1: StartTwo exams
- CompTIACompTIA Network+Stage 2: NetworkVoucher price on the CompTIA store
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
Stage 1: Google IT Support, three to six months 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 forstage 1: Start
CompTIA A+
- Cost
- Two exams2
- Format
- 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on IT support
Stage 1: CompTIA A+, two exams 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 forstage 1: Start
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store3
- Format
- 90 minutes
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience
Stage 2: Network+ 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 forstage 2: Network
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page4
Stage 2: Cisco CCNA 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 forstage 2: Network
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store5
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Stage 3: Security+ 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 forstage 3: Security or cloud
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1506
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
Stage 3: AWS SAA, $150 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 forstage 3: Security or cloud
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country7
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Stage 3: Azure AZ-104 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 forstage 3: Security or cloud
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Cost
- $4458
- Format
- 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam
Stage 4: CKA for platforms The Linux Foundation's Certified Kubernetes Administrator is a two-hour, performance-based exam taken in a live cluster. It costs $445 including one free retake and is respected because it tests real hands-on skill.
Best forstage 4: Specialise
ITIL 4 Foundation
- Cost
- Check the official page9
Stage 4: ITIL 4 for service PeopleCert's ITIL 4 Foundation covers the core concepts of IT service management and continual improvement. It's foundation-level, quick to prepare for and especially common in IT service roles in the UK and Australia.
Best forstage 4: Specialise
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page10
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
Stage 5: CISSP, five years' experience 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 forstage 5: Senior
Stages at a glance
| Stage | Focus | Certifications |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start | Google IT Support, three to six months, CompTIA A+, two exams |
| 2 | Network | Network+, Cisco CCNA |
| 3 | Security or cloud | Security+, AWS SAA, $150, Azure AZ-104 |
| 4 | Specialise | CKA for platforms, ITIL 4 for service |
| 5 | Senior | CISSP, five years' experience |
Table: It roadmap
How we ranked these picks
We ordered certifications by prerequisites and role level. Fees and times come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I start in IT?
Google IT Support or CompTIA A+.
Security or cloud?
Choose by interest and local demand.
How long to senior?
Several years with experience.
Do I need all of these?
No; follow one branch.
Is there a free IT test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free IT tests.
Sources
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, 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)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Linux Foundation — Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PeopleCert — ITIL 4 Foundation, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security 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 2027Top 10 IT certifications for 2027, from your first help-desk job to senior cloud and security rolesThe top 10 IT certifications for 2027 on one career ladder: CompTIA A+, Google IT Support, Network+, CCNA, Security+, ITIL 4, AZ-104, AWS SAA and AI.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The networking certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertA networking certification roadmap for 2027: Google IT Support or A+, Network+, CCNA, then Security+ and AWS SAA.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The DevOps certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertA DevOps certification roadmap for 2027: cloud basics, AWS SAA or AZ-104, Terraform, CKA, then PSM I or ITIL 4 for delivery.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top certifications for IT support specialists in 2027: eight for moving up from the help deskThe 8 best certifications for IT support specialists in 2027: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, AZ-104, AWS SAA, ITIL 4, CCNA and Microsoft Learn.
- 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 agile and Scrum certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertAn agile and Scrum certification roadmap for 2027: Google PM basics, PSM I or CSM, PMI-ACP with experience, then PMP for hybrid leadership.
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