How to Get IT Certifications in 5 Steps

Information technology (IT) certifications show employers you have the baseline of specialized knowledge expected of an IT professional. They can also make you a more competitive candidate for jobs and promotions. Some employers may not require certifications, but earning them can help you stand out in an application. Getting a certification can also enhance your skill set as an IT professional. Explore the steps to getting an IT certification. 

How to become IT certified

The steps to getting an IT certification are to decide which is best for you, prepare for the exam, take the exam, add the certification to your resume, and stay updated on renewals. Explore each step in further detail. 

1. Decide on a certification.

Picking a certification that fits your needs depends on what technical skills you’re trying to build and what you plan to accomplish with them. If you're unsure where to start, consider looking through job descriptions of positions you’re interested in to see what skills are required. Your current employer may even suggest a specific certification program suitable for your role.

What is a Professional Certificate or certification for entry-level IT professionals?

Just starting out? An entry-level IT certification might help. These can include:

• CompTIA A+

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• CompTIA Network+

• IBM IT Support Professional Certificate

• Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate

• Google IT Support Professional Certificate

Note: The Google IT Support Professional Certificate can help you prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam, provide you with a Google career certificate, and prepare you for an entry-level IT job. 

2. Prepare for the exam.

Certifications will generally have an exam you must pass to obtain the credential. Preparing for the exam typically means you need to:

Meet all the requirements. Entry-level certifications generally don’t have any prerequisites, but more advanced certifications might have stricter requirements. Check to ensure you can take the exam for the certification you’ve chosen. 

Study for the exam. Each certification generally has a corresponding exam listed on the certification provider’s website. They might also list the subjects covered on the exam or provide practice questions. More popular certifications should have multiple prep courses, books, or other resources you can use to study.

Schedule your exam. Go to the certification provider’s website to register for your exam. This is usually when you pay the exam fee. Depending on your experience and how much you’ve studied, the time you need to prepare for your certification exam can vary. If you’re starting to study, budget for a few months' time, or wait until you feel ready to take it to register.

How much do CompTIA A+ and other IT certifications cost?

IT certifications typically cost up to a few hundred dollars to take. For example, the CompTIA A+ certification can cost you $530 (for both required exams), the CCNA $300, and an associate-level AWS Solutions Architect $150 [1, 2, 3].

3. Take the exam.

Exams can be online or in person. They can include several types of questions, like multiple choice, short answer, or ones that you navigate through an exercise.

Before your exam day, run through the rules and requirements again. You might be asked to bring a valid ID, or you may want to know how long you should expect the exam to take.

4. Update your resume and LinkedIn

You’ve gotten your certification—congratulations! Now, you can put your certification status where people can find it. Here’s where you might place your new credentials in your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Resume: In your resume, you can list your new certification in your education section. You can also list any new skills you may have learned, and if you’ve completed any projects in coursework, add these to a section listing relevant projects.

LinkedIn: On your LinkedIn page, you can add your new certification to the licenses and certifications section.

5. After the certification: Renewals and more certifications

Renewing your certification: Like many credentials, IT certifications can expire. For example, many CompTIA and entry-level Cisco certifications are valid for three years. It can be a good idea to keep an eye on how long your certification will be valid and plan accordingly. Requirements for recertification can include taking a recertification exam or completing continuing education activities.

Your next certification: Getting another certification can make sense for you if you need more specialized knowledge, hope to switch to a different field of IT, or want to build on your current career trajectory. If you’ve earned an entry-level certification, you might start looking at certifications in a specialized area you’re interested in—like networks, cloud computing, or cybersecurity. You can also consult your employer to see what skills they might find useful to have.

You can explore various certification paths through this IT certification roadmap.

Explore how to get into IT and how to get IT certifications on Coursera

An IT certification can help you stand out from other applicants and brush up on important skills for an IT career. If you’re ready to start looking at certifications, browse some entry-level certifications. Or jump right in and start preparing for your first IT job with the Microsoft IT Support Specialist Professional Certificate program. In just two months, you'll learn to apply concepts like data management, troubleshooting, customer support, and networking while earning an employer-recognized certificate from Microsoft—the first week is free.