Getting a CompTIA certification involves choosing the right exam for your experience level, studying the material, scheduling your test through Pearson VUE, and passing the exam. The entire process from start to finish typically takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on how much time you dedicate to preparation. Here’s how each step works.
Pick the Right Certification
CompTIA offers a range of certifications, but most people start with one of three core options. CompTIA A+ is the standard entry point for IT careers, covering hardware, software, networking basics, and troubleshooting. It’s designed for IT support and help desk roles and requires passing two separate exams (Core 1 and Core 2). If you’re completely new to technology and not yet sure about an IT career, CompTIA Tech+ is an even more foundational option that introduces broader technology concepts.
After A+, the typical next steps are Network+ (focused on networking infrastructure and troubleshooting) and Security+ (focused on cybersecurity fundamentals). Security+ is one of the most widely recognized IT certifications in the industry, partly because it meets U.S. Department of Defense baseline requirements for certain roles. Beyond these three, CompTIA offers more specialized certifications like CySA+, PenTest+, Cloud+, and Linux+ for people further along in their careers.
You don’t need to earn them in sequence. There are no prerequisites for any CompTIA exam, so if you already have networking experience, you could skip straight to Network+ or Security+. That said, A+ builds foundational knowledge that makes the others easier to pass.
Understand the Costs
CompTIA exam vouchers typically cost between $350 and $500 per exam, depending on the certification level. Since A+ requires two exams, plan on paying for both. Vouchers are purchased through CompTIA’s website or through authorized training partners, some of which bundle vouchers with study materials at a slight discount. CompTIA occasionally offers voucher bundles that include a free retake if you don’t pass on your first attempt, which can be worth the extra cost if you’re uncertain about your readiness.
On top of the exam fee, you may spend money on study materials. CompTIA’s own CertMaster products range in price, and third-party books, video courses, and practice exams add to the total. It’s entirely possible to prepare using free or low-cost resources, but budgeting $50 to $300 for study materials is realistic for most people.
Study for the Exam
CompTIA publishes detailed exam objectives for every certification, available free on their website. These objectives list every topic the exam can test you on, broken into domains with percentage weights showing how much of the exam each domain covers. Download the objectives document for your exam and use it as your study checklist.
For structured learning, CompTIA offers several official products. CertMaster Learn is a self-paced eLearning course with interactive content and knowledge checks. CompTIA Labs provides browser-based virtual environments where you practice hands-on tasks on real servers and software. An integrated version combines both into a single platform. CertMaster Practice is a separate tool focused specifically on exam readiness, using adaptive questions that identify your weak areas and concentrate your review time there. CompTIA also publishes official study guides in both print and eBook formats for most certifications.
Many candidates supplement official materials with third-party resources. Professor Messer’s free video series is widely recommended in the IT community, and publishers like Sybex and Pearson produce well-regarded study guides. Practice exams from multiple sources help you get comfortable with the question format and time pressure. For A+, Network+, and Security+, plan on four to twelve weeks of study if you’re starting with some basic IT familiarity. Complete beginners may need longer.
Hands-on practice matters more than memorization for most CompTIA exams. A+ tests your ability to troubleshoot real scenarios, not just recall definitions. Set up a home lab if possible, even if it’s just a virtual machine on your laptop, and practice the skills described in the exam objectives.
Create Your Account and Schedule the Exam
When you’re ready to test, the scheduling process is straightforward:
- Create a CompTIA Central account (or log into your existing one) at CompTIA’s website.
- Go to the Manage Exams section on your account homepage and click the link to schedule and manage exams.
- Complete your profile information and save it.
- You’ll be redirected to Pearson VUE, CompTIA’s testing partner. Select the specific exam code you want to schedule.
- Choose your testing format: in-person at a Pearson VUE test center or online through OnVUE, their remote proctoring system.
- Select your language, agree to testing policies, and pick a date and time. For in-person exams, you can compare availability across up to three nearby test centers.
- Pay with a credit card or exam voucher and submit your appointment.
If you choose to test online, you’ll take the exam on your own computer while a proctor monitors you through your webcam. You’ll need a quiet, private room with a clean desk, a stable internet connection, and a working webcam and microphone. In-person testing centers handle the technology for you, and some people prefer that environment for reducing distractions and technical worries.
What to Expect on Exam Day
CompTIA exams are a mix of multiple-choice questions and performance-based questions (PBQs). PBQs present a simulated environment where you complete a task, like configuring a network setting or identifying a security vulnerability in a diagram. These tend to appear at the beginning of the exam and take more time than standard questions, so many test-takers skip them initially and return after finishing the multiple-choice section.
Most CompTIA exams give you 90 minutes and include roughly 90 questions, though this varies by certification. Your score is calculated on a scale from 100 to 900, with passing scores typically falling between 675 and 750 depending on the exam. You’ll see your pass or fail result immediately after submitting your exam.
If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam after waiting at least 14 days. There’s no limit on the number of retakes, but you’ll need to pay the full exam fee each time unless you purchased a retake bundle.
Keep Your Certification Active
CompTIA certifications are valid for three years from the date you pass. To renew, you need to earn a specific number of continuing education units (CEUs) during that three-year cycle. The required number depends on the certification: A+ requires 20 CEUs, Network+ requires 30, Security+ requires 50, and more advanced certifications like CySA+ and PenTest+ require 60 each.
You earn CEUs through activities like completing training courses, attending industry conferences, publishing articles, teaching IT content, or earning a higher-level CompTIA certification (which automatically renews your lower-level ones). You’ll also pay an annual renewal fee to CompTIA. If you let your certification lapse, you’ll need to retake the current version of the exam to get it back, so staying on top of renewal is worth the effort.