Certifications worth getting as an IT Support Technician

Updated 15 September 2026 · 2 min read

For a support technician, the right certificate can make a first job easier to get and open the way to promotion. The key is to take them in an order that matches your career stage, so each one builds on the last and supports the work you actually do. Here are the certificates most relevant to support roles and how to approach them.

How this guide was made

Written for this site with AI assistance, then checked automatically before publishing. The topic table, sample questions, worked examples and study plan are generated from this site’s question bank: each worked example is recalculated by separate code, and each sample answer says where it came from.

The guide deliberately states no salaries, grades, pass marks or exam dates. Those change, and they could not be checked here, so take them from the advert itself.

This site is independent and is not affiliated with MIFOTRA or any employer.

The certifications

CompTIA A+
CompTIA · Entry
Hardware, operating systems, networking basics, security basics, troubleshooting and support procedures.
Two exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). No formal prerequisite.
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA · Entry to intermediate
Networking concepts, IP addressing, infrastructure, operations, security and troubleshooting.
One exam, N10-009. No formal prerequisite.
ITIL 4 Foundation
PeopleCert · Foundation
IT service management concepts, the service value system and common practices such as incident and change management.
One exam. No prerequisite.
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA · Entry to intermediate
Threats, security architecture, operations, identity and access, and security programme management.
One exam, SY0-701. No formal prerequisite.

Requirements and exam versions change. Confirm them with the issuer before you register.

CompTIA A+: the core support certificate

CompTIA A+ is designed around support work. Its two exams cover hardware, mobile devices, networking basics, operating systems, software troubleshooting, security and operational procedures. For a support technician it is the most directly useful certificate and usually the right first choice.

CompTIA Network+: the next step

Network+ builds on the networking basics in A+ and covers addressing, network infrastructure, operations, security and troubleshooting in more depth. It suits technicians who handle connectivity problems regularly, or who want to move toward network administration.

CompTIA Security+: security foundations

Support staff are often the first to see security problems: phishing reports, infected computers and suspicious account activity. Security+ gives a structured understanding of threats, controls and security operations. It is valuable for any technician and important for anyone considering a move into cybersecurity.

ITIL 4 Foundation: how support services are run

ITIL 4 Foundation covers IT service management: how incidents, requests, problems and changes are handled in a well-run service. It helps technicians understand why procedures exist, and it is useful for anyone aiming at team leader or service desk management roles. It is less technical than the CompTIA certificates, so it pairs well with them.

Choosing your order

A common path is A+ first, then Network+ or Security+ depending on your interests, with ITIL 4 Foundation once you start taking on coordination or process responsibilities. If your employer follows ITIL practices closely, taking the Foundation certificate earlier can help you work within its processes.

Studying on a budget

Download the official exam objectives and use them to guide your study. Combine a study guide or free video course with hands-on practice on real or virtual machines, and use practice questions to find weak areas. Book the exam when your practice results are consistently strong, not before.

Common questions

Do I need A+ if I already have a diploma in IT?

It is not required, but it adds independent, practical evidence of support skills that many diplomas do not show, and its objectives make a useful study checklist.

Do these certificates expire?

CompTIA certificates are valid for a fixed period and can be renewed through continuing education or a higher certificate. The rules for ITIL certificates differ, so check the current policy with PeopleCert.