Tech+ to A+: The Fastest Path to Your First IT Job

The short version: For anyone entering IT, CompTIA Tech+ covers foundational computer literacy and IT basics. A+ (Core 1 and Core 2) validates hardware, software, and troubleshooting skills for entry-level IT support roles, and is the certification most employers actually look for.

If you have ever searched “how to get into IT” and felt immediately overwhelmed by the number of certifications, paths, and opinions, this post is for you.

The IT certification landscape looks complicated from the outside. From the inside, the entry path is actually very clear. Here is exactly how it works.

Start at the Right Level

The biggest mistake career changers make when entering IT is misjudging where to start. Some try to jump directly into Security+ or Cloud certifications without the foundational knowledge those credentials assume. Others spend months studying for exams that their target employers do not actually require.

The cleaner path is to start at the right level for where you are now.

CompTIA Tech+ is designed for people who are brand new to IT as a profession. It covers computer basics, networking fundamentals, operating systems, security concepts, and how IT roles function in organizations. If you have never worked in IT professionally, Tech+ closes the gaps that would slow you down in everything that comes after it.

If you already have some professional IT experience, whether from a support role, self-study, or adjacent technical work, you may be able to start directly with A+.

What A+ Actually Validates

The A+ certification is the most widely recognized entry-level IT credential in the world. It has two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202).

Core 1 covers hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization, and cloud fundamentals. Core 2 covers operating systems, security, troubleshooting, and operational procedures.

Together they validate the technical breadth that IT support roles require. Help desk analyst, IT support specialist, field technician, desktop support analyst, and systems administrator trainee positions all list A+ as required or preferred.

The DoD 8570 framework, which governs IT roles across federal government and defense contracting, also references A+ as a baseline credential for certain technical positions. Earning it gives you access to both private industry and government IT roles.

How Long Does It Take?

The realistic timeline from starting Tech+ (if you need it) to earning A+ is 6 to 12 months of consistent study, roughly 8 to 10 hours per week. If you start directly with A+, the timeline is typically 3 to 6 months per exam.

The key variable is not aptitude. It is consistency. The people who pass on their first attempt studied a little bit every day, not just in the week before the exam.

What Comes After A+?

A+ is the foundation, not the ceiling. Once you have A+, the most common next steps are Security+ (for anyone interested in cybersecurity roles) and Network+ (for anyone interested in network administration or infrastructure). Both build directly on A+ foundational knowledge.

The full entry path looks like this: Tech+ establishes the foundation. A+ validates your technical skills for employers. Security+ or Network+ opens the specialist roles.

You do not have to do all of this at once. Most people take one exam at a time. But knowing where the path goes helps you choose your starting point with confidence.

Talk to you next week.

If you are studying with us on Coursera, check out A+ Core 1, Core Hardware: CPUs and Memory is a strong starting point for anyone working through the A+ curriculum, it covers the foundational hardware knowledge that Core 1 builds on, one module at a time.