By Quick answer: Which certifications help IT support specialists in 2027?
- Basics — A+.
- Network — Network+, CCNA.
- Security — Security+.
- Cloud — AZ-104, AWS SAA.
Key takeaways
- IT support is a launchpad; pick your next direction.
- Microsoft environments make AZ-104 a natural step.
- ITIL helps you lead the service desk.
IT support is where many tech careers start. The question is where to go next: networking, security, cloud or service management. These eight certifications each open one of those paths.
Eight certifications for IT support
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 Network+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store2 | 90 minutes | Free test |
| 3 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store3 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 4 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country4 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 5 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1505 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 6 | ITIL 4 FoundationPeopleCert / AXELOS | Check the official page6 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 7 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page7 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 8 | Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingMicrosoft | Free8 | 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 →
- CompTIA Network+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Network+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the step up it opens
- CompTIACompTIA A+The basicsTwo exams
- CompTIACompTIA Network+NetworkingVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- CompTIACompTIA Security+SecurityVoucher price on the CompTIA store
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
Two exams; the help desk standard. 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 forthe basics
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store2
- 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
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store3
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
The standard first security credential. 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
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country4
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Azure administration; renew free yearly. 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 admin
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1505
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
AWS architecture; $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 forAWS cloud
ITIL 4 Foundation
- Cost
- Check the official page6
IT service management foundation. 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 forservice management
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page7
Cisco networking credential. 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 fornetwork engineering
Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training
- Cost
- Free8
Free training for Microsoft certifications. Microsoft Learn's free learning paths and sandboxes cover every Microsoft certification, from Azure and AI to Power BI. The training is free; only the certification exams are paid, and they're priced by country.
Best forfree training
Paths out of the help desk
| Path | Certifications |
|---|---|
| Systems admin | AZ-104 |
| Network engineer | Network+, CCNA |
| Security analyst | Security+ |
| Service desk lead | ITIL 4 |
| Cloud engineer | AWS SAA |
Table: Paths from IT support
How we ranked these picks
We ranked certifications by how well they open next roles for IT support staff. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What should IT support staff learn next?
Pick a path: cloud, network, security or service management.
Is A+ still worth it if I'm already in IT support?
It cements basics; many move on to Network+ or Security+.
How long until I leave the help desk?
Often one to two years with a certification and projects.
Is ITIL useful?
Yes for service desk leadership.
Is there a free IT test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free IT, cloud and security tests.
Sources
- CompTIA — CompTIA A+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Network+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PeopleCert — ITIL 4 Foundation, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training, 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 Certifications by Profession (2027 Directory) — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- 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 IT certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertAn IT certification roadmap for 2027: Google IT Support or A+, Network+ or CCNA, Security+ or a cloud exam, CKA or ITIL, then CISSP.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 IT certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones IT job posts nameThe top 5 IT certifications to get hired in 2027: CompTIA A+, Security+, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104 and Cisco CCNA, matched to IT job titles.
- 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 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.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027IT certifications for beginners: seven best for 2027 if you're starting your first tech jobThe 7 best IT certifications for beginners in 2027: Google IT Support, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, ISC2 CC, AWS Cloud Practitioner and AZ-900.
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