Top 10 Support Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for a support specialist in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in the field. Employers like to see certifications because they indicate that an individual has taken the time to learn specialized skills, and that they are committed to staying up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. Certifications also signify that a support specialist is highly qualified, reliable, and capable of providing quality customer service. Additionally, certifications can help support specialists stand out from other candidates in a competitive job market.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of some of the most popular certifications for Support Specialists and explain how they can help to advance a Support Specialist's career.

What are Support Specialist Certifications?

Support specialist certification is a professional development program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to become an effective support specialist. This certification program covers topics such as customer service, problem solving, communication, technical support, and more. It is designed to help support specialists better understand the needs of customers and how to troubleshoot technical problems while providing a high level of customer service.

By obtaining certification, support specialists demonstrate their commitment to excellence and show potential employers that they are knowledgeable in the field of customer service and technical support. Having this certification can open up opportunities for advancement in the field, as well as provide additional training and resources that can be used on the job. Additionally, it allows employers to feel more confident in their hire since they know that their new employee has been properly trained in the necessary skills required for successful performance.

Pro Tip: Become certified as a support specialist to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field. Certification programs provide an opportunity to expand your knowledge, hone your skills, and stand out from the competition.

Related: What does a Support Specialist do?

Top 10 Support Specialist Certifications

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

1. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification for IT professionals that demonstrates their expertise in computer hardware and software. It is the most widely recognized certification for entry-level IT professionals, and it is a great way to start a career in the IT field.

The CompTIA A+ certification has two exams: 220-901 and 220-902. The 220-901 exam covers PC hardware, networking, laptops, printers, operating systems, and security. The 220-902 exam covers installation, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting of PCs and mobile devices. Both exams must be passed to receive the CompTIA A+ certification.

It typically takes between 6 months to 1 year to study for and pass both exams. To get started on your journey to becoming CompTIA A+ certified you should first purchase the official study guide from CompTIA or from a third party vendor such as Amazon or eBay. This will provide you with all of the necessary material you need to prepare for the exams. You can also take online courses or attend instructor led classes to help you prepare for the exams.

The cost of taking the CompTIA A+ certification exams varies depending on where you take them and how many attempts it takes you to pass them. Typically each exam costs around $200 USD but there are discounts available if you purchase them together or if you are a student or military personnel.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program from Microsoft that validates a professional’s ability to design, implement, and manage solutions based on Microsoft technologies. It is designed for IT professionals who work in the complex computing environment of medium to large organizations. An MCSE certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing and deploying solutions based on the Microsoft Windows Server operating system, as well as other Microsoft server products such as Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, SQL Server, System Center Configuration Manager, and Lync Server.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to get an MCSE certification depending on the individual’s experience level and the number of exams they need to take. To get an MCSE certification, you must pass one or more exams related to your chosen technology track. These exams cover topics such as networking infrastructure, active directory services, virtualization technologies, system center configuration manager, and more.

The cost of getting an MCSE certification varies depending on the number of exams you need to take and which exam package you purchase. The cost for each exam ranges from $125-$165 USD per exam. Additionally, some training providers offer packages that include all necessary exams at discounted rates.

3. Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP)

Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) is a certification program designed to recognize IT professionals who demonstrate proficiency in providing technical support for Apple products. The ACSP certification is intended to validate an individual’s ability to troubleshoot, repair, and configure Mac computers, iOS devices, and other Apple products.

To obtain the ACSP certification, individuals must pass a two-hour exam that covers topics such as hardware and software installation and configuration, troubleshooting techniques, networking fundamentals, system administration tasks, and more. The exam is administered by Apple Authorized Training Centers located around the world.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the country in which it is taken. In the United States, the cost of the exam is $299 USD. It typically takes between 1-2 weeks to receive results from the exam.

4. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program offered by Cisco Systems that certifies individuals in the basics of networking. CCNA certification validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks. It is an entry-level certification for those interested in pursuing a career in networking.

It typically takes about two to three months to prepare for the CCNA exam. The time frame depends on your prior knowledge and experience with networking technologies. To get certified, you must pass one or more exams administered by Cisco or its authorized testing partners. The cost of the exam varies depending on where you take it, but generally ranges from $200-$300 USD per exam.

In order to obtain your CCNA certification, you must first pass either the 200-301 CCNA or 200-125 CCNA exams. Both exams are available through Cisco's authorized testing centers around the world. After passing both exams, you will be awarded your CCNA certification and can start working as a network engineer or administrator.

5. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is a certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals with at least nine months of networking experience. It is an internationally recognized, vendor-neutral certification that demonstrates competency in networking administration and support.

The CompTIA Network+ exam consists of 90 multiple choice and performance-based questions, which must be completed within 90 minutes. The exam covers topics such as network technologies, installation and configuration, media and topologies, management, and security.

To get the CompTIA Network+ certification, you will need to pass the CompTIA Network+ exam (N10-007). You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through OnVUE.

The cost for the CompTIA Network+ exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $299 USD to $319 USD.

6. HDI Support Center Analyst

HDI Support Center Analyst is a certification program offered by the Help Desk Institute (HDI). It is designed to help individuals develop and demonstrate their knowledge of support center operations, customer service, communication skills, problem solving, and technical troubleshooting.

The HDI Support Center Analyst certification is divided into two levels: Certified Support Center Analyst (CSCA) and Senior Certified Support Center Analyst (SCSCA). The CSCA level requires passing an online exam that covers topics such as customer service principles, problem solving techniques, communication skills, and technical troubleshooting. The SCSCA level requires passing an additional exam that covers advanced topics such as customer service management, process improvement strategies, and team building.

It typically takes between one to three months to complete the certification process. To get started you need to register for the exams through the HDI website. Once you have registered and paid the fees associated with the exams you will receive access to study materials and practice tests. You will also be able to schedule your exams online.

The cost of the HDI Support Center Analyst certification varies depending on which level you are pursuing. The CSCA level costs $295 USD while the SCSCA level costs $395 USD.

7. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual's understanding of IT service management best practices. It is based on the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), which provides a framework for managing IT services and processes. The certification covers the five core areas of IT service management: Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation, and Continual Service Improvement.

The ITIL Foundation Certification typically takes between one to two weeks to complete. To get certified, you must pass an exam administered by an accredited training organization or provider. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum score of 65% to pass.

The cost of the ITIL Foundation Certification varies depending on the provider and whether you are taking the course online or in person. Generally speaking, it can range from $200 to $500 USD for the exam fee alone. Additional fees may also be charged for study materials and other related costs such as travel expenses if you are attending an in-person course.

8. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program offered by Microsoft to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who use Microsoft Office applications. The MOS certifications are designed to demonstrate proficiency in the core features of the Microsoft Office suite, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access.

To become a Microsoft Office Specialist, you must pass one or more exams that test your knowledge and skills in using the software. Each exam focuses on a specific application and is available at various levels depending on your experience with the product. You can choose to take an individual exam or complete multiple exams to earn a full certification.

The length of time it takes to get certified depends on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying for the exams. It typically takes several months of preparation before taking an exam.

You can get certified by registering for an exam through Certiport’s website or through an authorized testing center near you. There are also online courses available that will help you prepare for the exams.

The cost of becoming a MOS varies depending on which exams you choose to take and where you take them. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $150 USD and multiple-exam packages may be available at discounted rates.

9. Zend Certified PHP Engineer

The Zend Certified PHP Engineer (ZCPE) is a professional certification program for PHP developers. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of experienced PHP developers in the areas of coding, security, performance, scalability and best practices. The certification is offered by Zend Technologies, which is the company behind the popular open-source scripting language PHP.

To become a Zend Certified PHP Engineer, you must pass an online exam that tests your knowledge of various aspects of the language. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes about two hours to complete. You will need to have a working knowledge of object-oriented programming concepts as well as experience with web application development using PHP.

In order to take the exam, you must first register with Zend Technologies and pay an exam fee of $195 USD. Once you have registered, you can schedule a time to take the exam at one of their authorized testing centers around the world. After passing the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Zend Technologies that verifies your status as a Zend Certified PHP Engineer.

The certification is valid for three years after which time you must renew it by taking another online exam or attending a training course offered by Zend Technologies.

10. Oracle Database Administrator Certified Associate (OCA)

Oracle Database Administrator Certified Associate (OCA) is a certification program offered by Oracle Corporation. It is designed to help database administrators gain the skills and knowledge needed to manage an Oracle database environment. The OCA certification covers topics such as installation, configuration, security, backup and recovery, performance tuning, and monitoring of Oracle databases.

To obtain the OCA certification, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-071: Oracle Database 12c SQL and 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c: Installation and Administration. Both exams are multiple choice and can be taken at any authorized Pearson VUE testing center or online through the Oracle University website.

The cost of the exams varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $125-$200 USD per exam. The total cost for both exams is around $250-$400 USD. The time it takes to complete the OCA certification depends on how quickly you can study for and pass the two exams; however, most people can complete it within a few months if they dedicate enough time to studying.

Do You Really Need a Support Specialist Certificate?

The answer to whether or not you need a Support Specialist Certificate depends on your career goals and the industry you are pursuing. If you are looking to work in a technology-related field, such as IT support, then having a Support Specialist Certificate may be beneficial. This type of certification demonstrates that you have achieved a certain level of knowledge and understanding of computer systems and software, so employers may be more likely to hire someone with this certification than one without it.

If you are looking for employment in other fields, such as customer service or administrative support, then having the Support Specialist Certificate may not be necessary. However, if these positions require any technical knowledge or expertise related to computers, then it could still be beneficial to have the certificate. The certificate can give employers confidence that you understand the basics of computers and software and can help them determine if you are qualified for the job.

In conclusion, it is up to each individual person to decide if they need a Support Specialist Certificate for their career goals. Depending on the type of job you are applying for, having this certification could potentially give you an edge over other applicants who do not possess it. It is important to research the requirements of potential employers before making a decision about whether or not this certificate would be beneficial for your job search.

Related: Support Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Support Specialist Certifications

1. What is a Support Specialist Certification?

A Support Specialist Certification is a certification that demonstrates expertise in customer service, troubleshooting, and technical support. It is designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in customer service roles.

2. What are the benefits of obtaining a Support Specialist Certification?

The benefits of obtaining a Support Specialist Certification include increased job opportunities, improved job performance, higher salaries, and greater recognition in the industry. Additionally, certifications demonstrate an individual’s commitment to their profession and can be used as proof of their knowledge and experience when applying for new positions.

3. How do I obtain a Support Specialist Certification?

In order to obtain a Support Specialist Certification, you will need to complete an approved certification program or training course from an accredited institution or vendor. Upon completion of the program or course, you will need to pass the associated certification exam in order to receive your certificate.

4. How long does it take to earn a Support Specialist Certification?

The length of time required for earning a Support Specialist Certification will vary depending on the program or training course you choose and your prior experience in customer service or technical support roles. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed within 6-12 months with part-time study.

5. Is there an expiration date on my Support Specialist Certification?

Yes, most certifications have an expiration date that must be renewed after 5 years in order for them to remain valid. Renewal usually requires completing additional training courses or passing additional exams in order to maintain your certification status.