Top 11 Computer Support Technician Certifications

Certifications are important for computer support technicians in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge to employers. They can help a technician stand out from other applicants and show that they have the skills necessary to complete the job successfully. Certifications also provide assurance to employers that the technician is qualified and has a good understanding of their field. In some cases, certifications may even be required for certain positions, so having them can open up more opportunities for employment.

The purpose of this article is to review the best certifications for Computer Support Technicians and explain how they can benefit a technician's career.

What are Computer Support Technician Certifications?

Computer support technician certification is a type of professional certification that provides an individual with the necessary technical knowledge and skills to provide technical assistance to computer users. It is typically offered by educational institutions, industry associations, and private training companies. The certification ensures that the individual has a basic understanding of computers, networks, and other related technologies.

Having a computer support technician certification can be beneficial in many ways. It can help individuals stand out in the job market and make them more attractive to employers. It can also give individuals an edge when competing for positions at larger companies or organizations where they may need to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in order to land the job. Additionally, having a certification can make it easier for individuals to stay up-to-date on new technology trends and best practices, giving them an advantage over their competition when it comes time for promotions or advancement opportunities. Lastly, having a certification can also serve as proof of one’s dedication to their career path as well as their commitment to staying knowledgeable about current technologies.

Pro Tip: When considering a computer support technician certification, look for one that is accredited by an independent third-party organization such as CompTIA, Microsoft, or Cisco. This ensures that your certification is valid and respected in the industry.

Related: What does a Computer Support Technician do?

Top 11 Computer Support Technician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Computer Support Technicians today.

1. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is a certification program for computer technicians. It is aimed at individuals who work in various IT roles, such as support specialists, system administrators and network engineers. The certification covers a wide range of topics, including hardware, software, networking and security.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the CompTIA A+ certification program. This includes studying for the two exams (220-1001 and 220-1002) that are required to become certified. The exams can be taken online or in person through a testing center.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on how you choose to take the exams. Online exam vouchers can cost around $200 each while in-person exam vouchers can cost up to $400 each. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with study materials or training courses that you may choose to purchase in order to prepare for the exams.

Overall, obtaining the CompTIA A+ certification can be an investment but it is worth it if you are looking to advance your career in IT.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who design, implement, and manage complex IT solutions using Microsoft technologies. The MCSE certification is one of the most sought-after certifications in the IT industry.

It typically takes around six months to a year to get an MCSE certification. To become certified, you must first pass a series of exams that cover topics such as networking, security, virtualization, cloud computing, and database administration. You must also have at least two years of experience working with Microsoft products and technologies.

The cost of getting an MCSE certification varies depending on which exams you take and how many times you need to retake them. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 for all the exams required for the certification.

Once you have obtained your MCSE certification, it is valid for three years before needing to be renewed. To maintain your certification status, you will need to complete continuing education credits or retake certain exams every three years.

3. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is a certification that validates the knowledge and skills necessary to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install, operate and configure basic network infrastructure. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification recognized by major hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the exam if you are studying full time. You can also take a CompTIA approved course which will help you prepare for the exam in less time.

To get the CompTIA Network+ certification, you must pass the N10-007 exam. The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The cost of the exam is $319 USD.

4. Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP)

Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) is a certification program offered by Apple for IT professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in supporting and troubleshooting Apple products. It is the highest level of certification available from Apple, and it requires a significant amount of knowledge and experience in the field.

The ACSP certification requires passing both an online exam and a hands-on lab assessment. The online exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The lab assessment involves performing tasks on an actual Mac computer, such as setting up user accounts, configuring network settings, troubleshooting hardware and software issues, and more.

In order to take the ACSP certification exam, you must first complete the Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC) course or have equivalent experience working with macOS systems. The ACTC course takes approximately 10 days to complete and costs around $1,500 USD.

Once you have completed the ACTC course or have equivalent experience, you can register for the ACSP exam through Pearson VUE, which administers Apple’s certification exams. The cost of the ACSP exam is $225 USD.

5. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification offered by Cisco Systems that validates a professional’s knowledge and skills in networking. The CCNA certification is the most popular entry-level certification for those pursuing a career in networking. It is an industry-recognized credential that indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge of networking.

The CCNA certification requires passing one exam, which typically takes 90 minutes to complete. To get the CCNA certification, you must pass the Cisco 200-301 exam, which tests your knowledge of network fundamentals, routing and switching technologies, security fundamentals, automation and programmability, and much more.

The cost of the CCNA exam depends on where you take it; however, it generally costs between $325-$400 USD. Additionally, there are many online resources available to help you prepare for the exam such as study guides and practice tests.

6. Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) is a certification program from Microsoft that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who manage and maintain Windows-based systems. It is an entry-level certification for those who want to work in the field of IT administration.

To obtain an MCSA, you must pass two exams: one on Windows Server 2016 or 2019 and one on either Windows 10 or Azure. Depending on the exam chosen, it can take up to four hours to complete each exam. The exams are proctored online or in person at a testing center.

The cost of the MCSA certification varies depending on which exams you choose. Each exam costs between $165 and $165 USD, so the total cost can range from $330 to $660 USD.

Once you have passed both exams, you will be awarded your MCSA certification. This certification is valid for three years before it needs to be renewed by passing another qualifying exam.

7. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an industry-leading certification that validates a candidate’s knowledge and skills in IT security. It is designed to demonstrate competency in network security, compliance and operational security, threats and vulnerabilities, access control and identity management, cryptography, and more.

The CompTIA Security+ exam typically takes 90 minutes to complete. It consists of 90 multiple choice questions that must be answered correctly in order to pass the exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in but generally ranges from $320 to $400 USD.

To get CompTIA Security+, candidates must pass the Securiy+ exam by scoring a minimum of 750 out of 900 points. Candidates can prepare for the exam by taking online courses or attending instructor-led classes. There are also practice tests available online that can help candidates prepare for the actual exam.

8. HDI Desktop Support Technician Certification

HDI Desktop Support Technician Certification is an industry-recognized certification for IT professionals who provide technical support for desktop and laptop computers. This certification is offered by the Help Desk Institute (HDI), a leading provider of professional development, training, and certification programs for the IT service and support industry.

The HDI Desktop Support Technician Certification program consists of two courses: HDI Desktop Support Technician (DST) Core and HDI DST Problem Management. The Core course provides an introduction to desktop support fundamentals, while the Problem Management course covers troubleshooting techniques, problem analysis, and resolution strategies.

It typically takes about 40 hours to complete both courses and pass the associated exams. To get certified, you must successfully complete both courses and pass the corresponding exams with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the HDI Desktop Support Technician Certification program varies depending on whether you are taking the online or in-person classes. Generally speaking, online classes cost around $1,000 USD while in-person classes can cost up to $2,500 USD.

9. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. ITIL is a set of best practices for managing information technology services, and it is used by organizations worldwide to improve their IT service management processes. The ITIL Foundation Certification provides individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage IT services within an organization.

The ITIL Foundation certification requires passing a two-hour multiple-choice exam. The exam consists of 40 questions and must be completed in 60 minutes or less. It covers topics such as Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation, Continual Service Improvement, and the ITIL Lifecycle.

To obtain the ITIL Foundation certification, you must first register for an approved training course or self-study program. After completing the training or self-study program, you can then take the exam at an accredited testing center. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official certificate from AXELOS Global Best Practice.

The cost of obtaining the ITIL Foundation certification varies depending on which training option you choose. Self-study programs typically cost between $200-$500 USD while instructor-led courses can range from $800-$2000 USD depending on location and provider.

10. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program designed to validate an individual's technical skills and knowledge in the area of VMware virtualization technology. It is the most widely recognized certification for virtualization professionals, and it is offered by VMware, Inc., a leading provider of cloud computing and virtualization software and services.

The VCP certification requires that individuals pass an exam administered by VMware. The exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, management, troubleshooting, security, networking, storage, optimization, automation and backup/recovery of VMware products. In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also have at least six months of experience with VMware products.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the VCP exam. Preparation includes studying course materials such as official training courses from VMware or self-study materials from third-party vendors. Candidates can also attend workshops or seminars to gain additional knowledge on the subject matter.

To get certified as a VCP, candidates must register for the exam through Pearson VUE (the testing vendor). The cost of taking the exam varies depending on geographical location but typically ranges between $250 and $400 USD per attempt. Once candidates have passed the exam they will receive their certificate from VMware and be officially recognized as a VCP.

11. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and OneNote. It is the world’s leading certification for validating expertise in Microsoft Office applications.

The MOS certification exams are available for all versions of Microsoft Office from 2007 to 2019. The exam tests your knowledge and skills in using the various features of the software. To become certified you must pass one or more of the MOS exams.

It typically takes between 1-2 months to prepare for and take the MOS exams, depending on how much time you have available and how familiar you are with the software. You can purchase practice tests online or find free practice questions online to help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking a MOS exam varies depending on which version of Microsoft Office you are testing for and where you take it. Most exams cost around $100 USD per exam but may be discounted if taken at certain locations or through certain providers.

Once you have passed your MOS exam(s), you will receive a certificate that proves your proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications and can be used as proof of your skills when applying for jobs or other opportunities.

Do You Really Need a Computer Support Technician Certificate?

In today’s world, having a computer support technician certificate is becoming more and more important for those who want to work in the field of computer technology. A certificate can provide proof that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to be an effective technician. It also shows potential employers that you are committed to your career and are willing to invest in yourself by investing in professional development.

That being said, a certificate is not necessarily required in order to become a successful computer support technician. Many people enter the field without any formal training or education and still manage to find success. The key is having the right attitude and work ethic, as well as staying up-to-date on new technologies and trends in the field.

Having a certificate can definitely give you an edge over other job candidates since it demonstrates that you have taken the initiative to gain additional knowledge and skills related to your profession. This will make you stand out from other applicants who may not have as much experience or dedication to their career path. Furthermore, many employers prefer candidates with certificates because it shows that they have been formally trained in specific areas of computer technology, which gives them an advantage when it comes time for hiring decisions.

Overall, whether or not you decide to pursue a certificate depends on your individual situation. If you already have plenty of experience working with computers but lack official credentials, then it may not be worth your time or money. However, if you are just starting out in this field or want to advance your career quickly, then getting certified can be beneficial for helping you land jobs and furthering your career goals.

Related: Computer Support Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Computer Support Technician Certifications

1. What are the requirements for a computer support technician certification?

Answer: Generally speaking, computer support technician certifications require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent and basic knowledge of hardware, software, networking systems, and customer service. Additionally, some certifications may require experience in the field as well as passing an exam.

2. How long does it take to get a computer support technician certification?

Answer: It depends on the type of certification you are seeking and how much preparation you put into studying for it. Generally speaking, most certifications can be obtained within 3-6 months if you dedicate yourself to studying and taking practice exams.

3. What is the cost of a computer support technician certification?

Answer: The cost of a computer support technician certification varies depending on the type of certification and provider you choose. Generally speaking, costs range from $100-$1000 USD depending on the program and any additional fees associated with it (such as exam fees).

4. Are there any online resources available to help prepare for a computer support technician certification exam?

Answer: Yes! There are many online resources available that provide study materials, practice tests, and other tools to help prepare for your computer support technician certification exam. Many of these resources are free or low cost so make sure to do your research before investing in any one resource.

5. Does having a computer support technician certification increase job opportunities?

Answer: Yes! Having a computer support technician certification can help open up job opportunities that might not have been available without it. Employers often look favorably upon candidates who have taken the initiative to complete such certifications as they demonstrate a commitment to professional development and competence in their field.