By Quick answer: What is the best IT certification for a beginner?
- Start — Google IT Support.
- Help desk — CompTIA A+.
- Branch out — Network+, cloud fundamentals, ISC2 CC.
- Next — Security+.
Key takeaways
- Help desk and IT support are the classic first tech jobs.
- A+ is still the credential many help desk posts name.
- Build a home lab to practise.
IT support is one of the most common first jobs in tech, and it hires on certifications more than degrees. These seven certifications are arranged as a beginner's path into IT and then toward networking, cloud or security.
Seven beginner IT picks
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 | ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)ISC2 | See ISC2 page3 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 4 | CompTIA Network+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store4 | 90 minutes | Free test |
| 5 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1005 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 6 | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Microsoft | Exam priced by country6 | 45 minutes | Free test |
| 7 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store7 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | 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 →
- ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) Practice TestPractise for ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Network+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Network+ before you pay.Start free test →
Each pick, in the order beginners take them
- CourseraGoogle IT Support Professional CertificateTotal beginners$49/mo Coursera plan
- CompTIACompTIA A+Help desk rolesTwo exams
- ISC2ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)Security curiosity, no experienceSee ISC2 page
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
The gentlest start: troubleshooting, networking, OS and security basics in 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 fortotal beginners
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
Two exams covering hardware, OS and support; a common help desk requirement. 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 roles
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- Cost
- See ISC2 page3
- Entry
- No work experience required
ISC2's entry security credential needs no experience. 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 curiosity, no experience
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store4
- Format
- 90 minutes
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience
Networking fundamentals; 90 minutes. 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
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1005
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
AWS basics, $100, 90 minutes. 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 forAWS basics
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country6
- Format
- 45 minutes
Azure basics, 45 minutes, free training on Microsoft Learn. Microsoft's Azure fundamentals exam covers cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing and governance in 45 minutes. Training is free on Microsoft Learn, the exam is priced by country and it doesn't expire.
Best forAzure basics
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store7
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
The next step toward security roles. 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 forthe next step
Your first year in IT
- Months 1–4 — Google IT Support; set up a home lab.
- Months 5–7 — CompTIA A+; apply for help desk roles.
- Months 8–12 — pick a branch: Network+, a cloud exam or Security+.
How we ranked these picks
We chose IT certifications with no experience requirement, ordered as a beginner's path. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best first IT certification?
Google IT Support or CompTIA A+.
Can I get an IT job without a degree?
Yes. Help desk roles often hire on certifications and practical skills.
Is A+ still worth it?
Yes for help desk and IT support roles that name it.
How long until I'm job-ready in IT?
Many beginners need four to eight months of part-time study.
Is there a free IT test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free IT support, networking and cloud tests.
Sources
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA A+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Network+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, 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
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- Science of Apps free certification catalogue — 1,200+ free tests
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Cybersecurity certifications for beginners: seven best for 2027 if you're starting from zeroThe 7 best cybersecurity certifications for beginners in 2027: Google Cybersecurity, ISC2 CC, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Google IT Support and CCNA.
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