Top 10 IT Support Analyst Certifications

Certifications are essential for IT Support Analysts in the job market. They demonstrate to employers that an individual has a solid understanding of the technical skills necessary to be successful in the role. Certification programs provide valuable knowledge and experience which allow IT Support Analysts to gain credibility and stand out from other applicants. Additionally, certifications can open up new opportunities for career advancement and give individuals a competitive edge when seeking employment. Finally, certifications allow IT Support Analysts to stay current with industry trends and technologies, ensuring they remain relevant in their field.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for IT Support Analysts and explain how they can help to advance an IT Support Analyst's career.

What are IT Support Analyst Certifications?

IT Support Analyst Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s skills and knowledge in providing technical support to computer users. This certification is typically offered by IT organizations, vendors, or educational institutions. It covers topics such as troubleshooting operating systems and hardware, diagnosing and resolving software issues, configuring networks, installing applications, and providing customer service.

Having an IT Support Analyst Certification can be beneficial for anyone looking to get into the field of information technology. This certification shows employers that the individual has the necessary skillset to provide technical assistance to their customers or colleagues. It also proves that the person has a good understanding of the latest technologies and trends in IT. Having this certification can help individuals advance their careers and potentially open up more job opportunities. Additionally, having this certification can often result in higher salaries since employers are likely to be willing to pay more for those with specialized knowledge and experience.

Pro Tip: To become a certified IT Support Analyst, be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and certifications. Also, look for industry-specific courses and certifications that are tailored to the type of IT support you plan to provide. This will help give you an edge when applying for jobs or seeking promotions.

Related: What does an IT Support Analyst do?

Top 10 IT Support Analyst Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to IT Support Analysts today.

1. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is an industry-leading certification for IT professionals. It is the most widely recognized and respected certification in the IT industry, and it is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge of computer hardware, software, networking, security, and troubleshooting.

CompTIA A+ is a two-part exam that takes approximately 10 hours to complete. The first part consists of 90 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as PC hardware, networking, mobile devices, operating systems, security, troubleshooting and operational procedures. The second part consists of hands-on tasks that are performed on computers or mobile devices.

To get CompTIA A+, you must pass both parts of the exam with a score of 700 or higher out of 900 total points. You can take the exams at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through their website.

The cost for CompTIA A+ varies depending on where you take the exam and which version you are taking (Core 1 or Core 2). Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD per exam ($400 total) plus any applicable taxes and fees.

2. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is a certification program designed to validate the skills of IT professionals working in networking environments. It is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates an individual’s competency in network administration and support.

The CompTIA Network+ certification requires passing one 90-minute exam consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as network architecture, network operations, network security, troubleshooting, and industry standards and best practices.

To get the CompTIA Network+ certification, you must first register for the exam with CompTIA. You can do this online or by phone. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a voucher code that can be used to schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.

The cost of the CompTIA Network+ exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $200 to $400 USD.

3. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing, implementing and managing solutions based on Microsoft technologies. It is designed for professionals who work with Microsoft products and services in a variety of roles, including IT administrators, system engineers, developers, architects and consultants.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to complete the MCSE program depending on how much time an individual can dedicate to studying. To get certified as a MCSE, individuals must pass one or more exams related to the specific technology they are looking to specialize in. The exams cover topics such as server infrastructure, desktop infrastructure, private cloud computing, data platform and business intelligence.

The cost of the MCSE certification varies depending on the number of exams taken and other factors such as exam preparation materials. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $100-$600 per exam plus additional fees for practice tests and other materials.

4. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) is a certification program designed to provide foundational technology knowledge to students, job seekers, and IT professionals. The MTA certification validates the core technical knowledge needed to begin building a career using Microsoft technologies.

The MTA certification requires you to pass one or more exams in order to become certified. Each exam is designed to assess your understanding of the fundamentals of one or more Microsoft technologies. The exams are multiple-choice and typically take between 45 minutes and 2 hours to complete.

To get an MTA certification, you must register for an exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or online through their website. You can find out which exams are available for each particular technology by visiting the Microsoft Learning website. Once you have registered for an exam, you will need to pay the applicable fee before taking it. The cost of each exam varies depending on the specific technology being tested, but generally range from $50-$150 USD per exam.

Once you have passed all required exams, you will receive your official MTA certification from Microsoft. This certificate will be valid for two years after which time you may need to retake any expired exams in order to maintain your certification status.

5. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is a professional-level certification for IT professionals who want to demonstrate their ability to design, implement, configure, and troubleshoot local and wide area networks. It is one of the most sought-after certifications in the networking industry.

To get CCNP certification, you need to pass three exams: Route (300-101), Switch (300-115) and Troubleshooting & Maintenance (300-135). The exams are 90 minutes long each and consist of multiple choice questions.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CCNP exams. During this time, you should focus on studying the topics covered in the exam objectives such as routing protocols, switching technologies, network security, WAN technologies and more. You can also attend training courses offered by Cisco or other vendors to help you prepare for the exams.

The cost of taking the CCNP exams varies depending on where you take them. The cost can range from $200-$400 per exam. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with any training courses that you choose to take.

6. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized qualification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It is designed to help organizations improve their IT service management processes and practices.

The certification consists of a two-hour exam with 40 multiple choice questions. To pass the exam, you must score at least 65%. The exam can be taken online or in person at an accredited testing center.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the exam, depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying. There are several study materials available, including books, online courses, and practice tests.

The cost of the ITIL Foundation Certification varies depending on where you take the exam and which provider you use. Generally speaking, it will cost between $200-$400 USD.

7. HDI Support Center Analyst Certification

HDI Support Center Analyst Certification is a professional certification program that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in support center operations, customer service, and problem solving. It is administered by the Help Desk Institute (HDI), a global organization dedicated to advancing the practice of technical support and service management.

The HDI Support Center Analyst Certification consists of two parts: an online assessment and a hands-on workshop. The online assessment tests the applicant's knowledge of support center operations, customer service, and problem solving. Upon successful completion of the online assessment, applicants are eligible to attend a four-day hands-on workshop at an HDI training facility. During this workshop, participants learn how to apply best practices in support center operations, customer service, and problem solving.

To obtain the HDI Support Center Analyst Certification, applicants must pass both the online assessment and the hands-on workshop with a score of 80% or higher. The cost for this certification program varies depending on location but typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,000 USD.

8. EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)

EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge required to perform security analysis and penetration testing. The ECSA program provides an in-depth look at the various aspects of security analysis, including network scanning, vulnerability assessment, system hacking, and countermeasures. It also covers topics such as ethical hacking, cryptography, risk management, and incident response.

The ECSA certification requires candidates to complete a five-day training course and pass an exam. The course covers topics such as network scanning techniques, vulnerability assessment methods, system hacking strategies, countermeasures implementation, cryptography concepts, risk management principles, and incident response procedures. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, candidates are awarded the ECSA certification.

To get the ECSA certification you will need to attend a five-day training course which is offered by authorized training providers around the world. You can find a list of authorized training providers on the EC-Council website. After completing the training course you will need to pass an exam which consists of multiple choice questions related to security analysis and penetration testing concepts.

The cost of obtaining the ECSA certification varies depending on where you take your training course but generally ranges from $2,000 - $3,500 USD for both the training course and exam fees combined.

9. Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP)

Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) is an Apple certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the technical knowledge and expertise required to support macOS and iOS devices. The ACSP certification validates a technician’s ability to troubleshoot, repair and optimize Apple products.

The ACSP certification requires passing two exams: the macOS Support Essentials 10.15 exam and the iOS Troubleshooting Exam. The macOS Support Essentials 10.15 exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, networking, system administration, system maintenance, troubleshooting and more. The iOS Troubleshooting Exam covers topics such as iOS device setup, device security and management, troubleshooting techniques for common issues and more.

It typically takes about six weeks to complete both of these exams in order to obtain the ACSP certification. To get started on the path towards getting certified, you must first register with Apple for an account on their website. Once registered, you will be able to access the training materials needed to prepare for each exam as well as information on how to schedule your exams with Apple or a third-party testing provider.

The cost of obtaining the ACSP certification varies depending on where you take your exams and what additional materials you may need to purchase in order to prepare for them (such as study guides). Generally speaking, however, it can cost anywhere from $200-$400 USD per exam plus any associated fees for taking them at a third-party testing center or proctoring service.

10. HDI Desktop Support Technician Certification

HDI Desktop Support Technician Certification is a certification offered by the Help Desk Institute (HDI) that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an understanding of the core principles and practices of desktop support. This certification is designed to validate an individual’s ability to troubleshoot, maintain, and configure desktop systems and applications.

The HDI Desktop Support Technician Certification consists of two exams: HDI-DST-101 and HDI-DST-102. The first exam covers topics such as customer service, problem solving, hardware/software installation and configuration, network connectivity, security fundamentals, and more. The second exam focuses on advanced topics such as system performance optimization, remote access technologies, data backup/recovery procedures, mobile device management, virtualization technologies, and more.

It typically takes about one month to prepare for these exams. Preparation includes studying the course material provided by HDI or taking an approved training course from an authorized provider. After passing both exams with a score of at least 70%, you will be awarded the HDI Desktop Support Technician Certification.

The cost for the certification varies depending on how you choose to pursue it. If you opt for self-study using the course material provided by HDI or other resources available online or in print form, then there are no fees associated with this route; however if you choose to take an approved training course from an authorized provider then there may be associated costs depending on which provider you select.

Do You Really Need a IT Support Analyst Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. For those who are looking to get into the field of IT support, an IT Support Analyst certificate can be a great way to demonstrate knowledge and experience in the field. It can also be a great asset for those looking to advance their career or move up within their current organization.

However, it is important to note that having an IT Support Analyst certificate does not guarantee success or job security. Many employers look for candidates with more experience and various skillsets when making hiring decisions. Therefore, if you do decide to pursue an IT Support Analyst certificate, it is important to make sure that you have other qualifications and experience that will make you stand out from other applicants.

In addition, while having an IT Support Analyst certificate may help you get your foot in the door, it should not be seen as a substitute for gaining practical experience in the field. Most employers prefer someone with hands-on experience over someone who has only received theoretical training. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your resume includes any relevant work experience that you have had in the past (even if it’s volunteer work).

Overall, whether or not you need an IT Support Analyst certificate largely depends on your individual situation and career goals. If you feel like having a certification would help give you an edge over other applicants then it may be worth pursuing one; however, if you already have plenty of practical experience in the field then it may not be necessary.

Related: IT Support Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About IT Support Analyst Certifications

1. What is an IT Support Analyst Certification?

An IT Support Analyst Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates proficiency in the areas of network, server and desktop support. It validates a candidate’s ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to these areas.

2. What are the requirements for an IT Support Analyst Certification?

The requirements for an IT Support Analyst Certification vary depending on the certifying organization. Generally, candidates must have at least one year of experience working in an IT or technical support role and pass a written exam to obtain certification.

3. How long does it take to get certified as an IT Support Analyst?

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the certification process, depending on the certifying organization and how quickly you can study and pass the necessary exams.

4. What type of job opportunities are available with an IT Support Analyst Certification?

IT Support Analysts can find employment in a variety of industries, including healthcare, education, finance, retail and government agencies. The roles they may be qualified for include help desk technician, system administrator, network engineer or software developer.

5. Are there any additional certifications I should consider pursuing after becoming certified as an IT Support Analyst?

Yes! After you become certified as an IT Support Analyst you may want to consider pursuing additional certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+ or Security+. These will provide you with additional knowledge and skills in networking and security which will increase your value as a potential employee or contractor in the tech industry