Boost Your Career With Comptia Certifications

As the leading IT industry association, CompTIA has created a variety of educational programs and initiatives to benefit IT professionals, educators and business owners. Explore the following links to see how you can enhance your IT education today.

CompTIA Certification Programs
CompTIA certifications are a recognized credential throughout the IT industry, validating foundation-level IT knowledge and skills. CompTIA offers twelve certification programs in key technology areas.

CompTIA A+ Certification
CompTIA A+ certification validates the latest skills needed by today's computer support professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification recognized by major hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers. CompTIA A+ certification confirms a technician's ability to perform tasks such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking. The exams also cover domains such as security, safety and environmental issues and communication and professionalism.

CompTIA A+ ensures the right people have the right skills. While many of the essential skills are universal, there are additional skills required to support the needs of businesses. By offering certification options for specific job scenarios, CompTIA A+ gives individuals the ability to grow their careers in a certain area, and employers the flexibility to choose the exam combination that best fits their needs.

CompTIA Network+ Certification
CompTIA Network+ validates the knowledge and skills of networking professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that recognizes a technician's ability to describe the features and functions of networking components and to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install, operate and configure basic network infrastructure. Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that CompTIA Network+ candidates have at least nine months of experience in network support or administration or adequate academic training, along with a CompTIA A+ certification.

The demand for skilled networking support professionals continues to grow, and CompTIA Network+ is a valuable credential to help launch or enhance a networking career. In fact, many IT certifications integrate CompTIA Network+ into their curriculums. Microsoft added CompTIA Network+ into their Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) program, and other corporations such as Novell, Cisco and HP also recognize CompTIA Network+ as part of their certification tracks.

CompTIA Network+ and Related CompTIA Certifications
CompTIA Network+ prepares networking professionals to earn vendor-neutral certifications in other areas of expertise. CompTIA Network+ certified professionals who want to diversify their base knowledge in other areas should also consider pursuing CompTIA Security+, Server+ or Convergence+.

CompTIA Server+ Certification
CompTIA Server+ validates the knowledge and skills of advanced IT technicians. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification for individuals with 18-24 months of experience with Industry Standard Server Architecture (ISSA) technology. CompTIA Server+ certifies technical knowledge in areas such as RAID, SCSI and multiple CPUs, as well as capabilities with server issues, including disaster recovery. Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that CompTIA Server+ candidates hold a CompTIA A+ certification.

Many corporations recognize the importance of staffing technicians who can competently perform basic server support. Companies such as CDW Computer Centers and CompuCom value the CompTIA Server+ certification and require it of their IT employees.

CompTIA Security+ Certification
CompTIA Security+ validates knowledge of systems security, network infrastructure, access control, assessments and audits, cryptography and organizational security. It is an international, vendor-neutral security certification that is taught at colleges, universities and commercial training centers around the world.

Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that CompTIA Security+ candidates have at least two years of on-the-job technical networking experience, with an emphasis on security. The CompTIA Network+ certification is also recommended.

Because human error is the number one cause for a network security breach, CompTIA Security+ is recognized by the technology community as a valuable credential that proves competency with information security.

CompTIA RFID+ Certification
CompTIA Radio Frequency Identification (RFID+) certification validates the knowledge and skills of professionals who work with RFID technology. It is an international, vendor-neutral credential that recognizes a technician's ability to install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot the hardware and software functionality of RFID products. Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that CompTIA RFID+ candidates have a minimum of six to 24 months of RFID or other auto-id technology experience.

RFID is quickly becoming the standard technology for tracking goods in the supply chain, but it will only be effective if it is executed by properly trained and certified individuals. CompTIA RFID+ provides a baseline for the knowledge and skills required of RFID workers, giving business owners the opportunity to hire qualified professionals, and individuals a credential to prove their ability.

CompTIA CTT+ Certification
CompTIA CTT+ (Certified Technical Trainer) certification validates excellence in instruction. It is a vendor-neutral certification that is applicable to training professionals in all industries. CompTIA CTT+ recognizes the mastery of core instructor skills, including preparation, presentation, communication, facilitation and evaluation in both a classroom and virtual classroom environment.

Certified instructors are essential for students who want to receive top-notch training, and employers agree that a professional training staff is valuable to the company. Adobe, Dell, Microsoft, Novell and Ricoh recommend that their trainers be CompTIA CTT+ certified. The Training Associates also look for CompTIA CTT+ certification when hiring trainers.

CompTIA CDIA+ Certification
CompTIA Certified Document Imaging Architech (CDIA+) validates the knowledge of professionals who deliver document imaging solutions. It is a vendor-neutral certification that proves expertise in the technologies and best practices used to plan, design, and specify a document imaging, management system.

CompTIA Linux+ Certification
CompTIA Linux+ is a vendor-neutral certification, generic across distributions, that validates the knowledge of individuals with a minimum of six to 12 months of practical Linux experience. Professionals holding the current CompTIA Linux+ credential can explain fundamental management of Linux systems from the command line, demonstrate knowledge of user administration, understand file permissions, software configurations, and management of Linux-based clients, server systems and security.

Because of the growing popularity of enterprise-ready platforms such as Linux, both employers and professionals realize the importance of skill validation. The industry recognizes that CompTIA Linux+ certification is a good indicator of foundational proficiency in everyday management of Linux-based clients and basic management of server systems.
As the leading IT industry association, CompTIA has created a variety of educational programs and initiatives to benefit IT professionals, educators and business owners. Explore the following links to see how you can enhance your IT education today.

CompTIA Certification Programs
CompTIA certifications are a recognized credential throughout the IT industry, validating foundation-level IT knowledge and skills. CompTIA offers twelve certification programs in key technology areas.

CompTIA A+ Certification
CompTIA A+ certification validates the latest skills needed by today's computer support professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification recognized by major hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers. CompTIA A+ certification confirms a technician's ability to perform tasks such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking. The exams also cover domains such as security, safety and environmental issues and communication and professionalism.

CompTIA A+ ensures the right people have the right skills. While many of the essential skills are universal, there are additional skills required to support the needs of businesses. By offering certification options for specific job scenarios, CompTIA A+ gives individuals the ability to grow their careers in a certain area, and employers the flexibility to choose the exam combination that best fits their needs.

CompTIA Network+ Certification
CompTIA Network+ validates the knowledge and skills of networking professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that recognizes a technician's ability to describe the features and functions of networking components and to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install, operate and configure basic network infrastructure. Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that CompTIA Network+ candidates have at least nine months of experience in network support or administration or adequate academic training, along with a CompTIA A+ certification.

The demand for skilled networking support professionals continues to grow, and CompTIA Network+ is a valuable credential to help launch or enhance a networking career. In fact, many IT certifications integrate CompTIA Network+ into their curriculums. Microsoft added CompTIA Network+ into their Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) program, and other corporations such as Novell, Cisco and HP also recognize CompTIA Network+ as part of their certification tracks.

CompTIA Network+ and Related CompTIA Certifications