About A+ certification

The CompTIA A+ certification is CompTIA’s leading entry-level, vendor neutral exam for computer-service technicians. This certification can be used to pursue various advanced certification of leading vendors such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco and Novell.

CompTIA has upgraded this certification and it now offers specialization in areas such as desktop support, remote support, security and help desk support.

Benefits of A+ Certification

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.

• A certification is a vendor neutral certification, which proves your basic hardware and software skill for almost all the products and technologies of the leading vendors.
• Technicians holding the A certification are preferred by the employers and they also get preference in promotions.
• A certification is helpful for professionals who have basic knowledge in related technologies to upgrade their credentials and get recognition from the industry.
• A Certified professional can find appropriate job easily and get paid more.
• And most importantly, on average, an A certified person gets more salary than other persons who have the same job profile.

Job Roles for A+ certified professionals

The job roles for CompTIA A+ certified professionals typically include: IT Technician, Enterprise Technician, PC Technician, Desktop Support Technician, Field Technician, PC Support Technician, Remote Support Technician, Help Desk Technician, Call Center Technician, Depot Technician and Bench Technician.

A+ requirements

To get CompTIA A Plus certification, you have to take two tests: one core and one elective test. Test 220-601 (A Essentials) is the core exam and for the electives, you can choose among 220-602 (A IT Technician), 220-603 (A Remote Technician) and 220-604 (A Depot Technician).

Candidates interested in the 2009 version of the exam—the 700 series—must also take two exams; the elective paths have been eliminated:

• 220-701: Essentials 
• 220-702: Practical Application