Top 10 Support Technician Certifications

Certifications are important for support technicians because they demonstrate that the individual has a specific set of skills and knowledge related to their job. This allows employers to know that the technician is qualified to handle the job and can be trusted to do so. It also shows potential employers that the technician is dedicated to their profession and willing to invest in learning new skills. Additionally, certifications often lead to higher salaries or better job opportunities.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Support Technicians and explain how they can contribute to a support technician's career.

What are Support Technician Certifications?

Support technician certification is a type of professional certification that validates an individual's skills and knowledge in providing technical support for computers and other related hardware and software. It is typically awarded by a trade organization, educational institution, or employer after the completion of a course of study or on-the-job training program.

Having support technician certification can be beneficial for both employers and employees alike. For employers, it helps them to identify qualified individuals who can provide the technical support their business needs. For employees, it provides them with the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in technical support and stand out from the competition when applying for jobs. Certification also offers employees recognition that they have achieved a certain level of knowledge in this area and will likely help them to advance their career. Furthermore, certified technicians may be eligible for higher salaries or bonuses due to their expertise.

Pro tip: When considering a support technician certification, look for programs that are accredited by a recognized professional organization. This will ensure that the program meets industry standards and provides you with the best training and knowledge for success in your career.

Related: What does a Support Technician do?

Top 10 Support Technician Certifications

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

1. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification for IT professionals. It is designed to validate a technician’s competency in the areas of hardware and software troubleshooting, installation, maintenance, and repair. The certification is vendor-neutral and covers a wide range of topics related to PC support, including networking, security, operating systems, mobile devices, hardware components and more.

The CompTIA A+ exam consists of two parts: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). Both exams must be completed in order to become certified. The exams are offered in English or Japanese at Pearson VUE testing centers around the world.

It typically takes about three months to complete the training required for the CompTIA A+ certification. This includes studying for the exam as well as hands-on practice with computers and other relevant technology.

To get CompTIA A+, you must first register with Pearson VUE and pay the associated fees. The fee for each individual exam is $226 USD per attempt; however, there are discounts available when purchasing both exams together ($370 USD).

Once you have passed both exams successfully, you will receive your official CompTIA A+ certification from CompTIA itself. This certificate will be valid for three years after which time it must be renewed through continuing education credits or by retaking the exams.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing, implementing, and managing Microsoft-based solutions. It is designed to validate the skills necessary to build modern data center, cloud, and client/server infrastructures.

The MCSE certification requires individuals to pass one or more exams that demonstrate their knowledge of Windows Server 2012 or 2016, Windows Client OS, Exchange Server 2013 or 2016, Office 365, Azure Infrastructure Solutions, System Center 2012 R2 or 2016 and SQL Server 2014 or 2016.

It usually takes between six months and two years to complete the training and certification requirements for the MCSE. The amount of time required depends on the number of exams taken and how quickly you can learn the material.

To get an MCSE certification, you must first have a valid Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential. You then need to pass one or more exams related to your chosen technology track. Once you have passed all required exams for your chosen track, you will be awarded an MCSE certification.

The cost of obtaining an MCSE certification varies depending on the number of exams taken and where they are taken from. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $165 USD per exam.

3. Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP)

Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) is an official certification program offered by Apple to help IT professionals become certified in providing technical support for Apple products. The ACSP certification helps IT professionals demonstrate their expertise in using Apple products and technologies to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair hardware and software issues.

The ACSP certification requires passing two exams: the Mac Integration Basics 10.13 exam and the Mac Service Certification Exam 10.13. The Mac Integration Basics 10.13 exam covers topics such as networking, installation of macOS systems, file sharing, and integration with other operating systems. The Mac Service Certification Exam 10.13 covers topics such as troubleshooting hardware components, diagnosing system problems, repairing hardware components, and performing preventive maintenance on Apple computers.

It typically takes about two months to complete the ACSP certification process from start to finish. To get started, you will need to register for the exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. Once registered for the exams, you can begin studying for them using official Apple training materials or third-party resources like books or online courses. After successfully passing both exams, you will receive your ACSP certification from Apple within a few weeks of completing the tests.

The cost of taking the ACSP exams varies depending on where you take them; however, it typically costs around $150 per exam plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with taking the test at a testing center near you.

4. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a globally-recognized certification that validates an individual's skills in the installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of small to medium-sized networks. It is designed for entry-level network engineers and technicians who are looking to expand their knowledge and advance their career.

The CCNA certification requires passing two exams: ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1) and ICND2 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2). Both exams can be taken separately or together as a single exam. The combined exam is known as the CCNA Composite Exam.

It typically takes around three months of study time to prepare for the CCNA certification. However, this timeframe may vary depending on your existing knowledge and experience with networking technologies.

To obtain the CCNA certification, you must pass one or both of the required exams. The cost of each exam varies depending on which option you choose (single or combined). Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $125 to $325 USD per exam.

5. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing, and configuring basic network infrastructure. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers topics such as networking technologies, installation and configuration of networks, media and topologies, security, and network troubleshooting.

It typically takes about six months to study for and pass the CompTIA Network+ exam. To get certified you must pass the CompTIA Network+ N10-007 exam with a score of 720 or higher on a scale of 100-900. The exam consists of 90 multiple choice questions which must be completed within 90 minutes.

The cost for taking the CompTIA Network+ exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $210 to $320 USD.

6. HDI Support Center Analyst

HDI Support Center Analyst is a certification program offered by the HDI (Help Desk Institute) to help individuals gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful support center analysts. The program is designed to provide comprehensive training in customer service, problem solving, communication, and technical troubleshooting.

The HDI Support Center Analyst certification typically takes about two months to complete. It consists of two parts: an online course and a hands-on lab experience. The online course covers topics such as customer service principles, problem solving methods, communication strategies, and technical troubleshooting techniques. The hands-on lab experience provides an opportunity for students to learn how to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.

To get the HDI Support Center Analyst certification, you must first pass an exam that covers the material from the online course and lab experience. After passing the exam, you will be awarded your certification.

The cost of obtaining the HDI Support Center Analyst certification varies depending on where you take the course and which provider you choose. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$2,000 USD or more depending on your provider and location.

7. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification program designed to provide individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It is the first step in obtaining higher-level ITIL certifications and provides a foundation for further study. The certification is designed to help IT professionals understand the processes, functions, and roles that are necessary for successful service management.

The ITIL Foundation Certification typically takes about two days to complete and requires passing an exam at the end of the course. To get certified, you must attend an accredited training course or self-study using approved materials. You must also pass the ITIL Foundation Exam, which consists of 40 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes.

The cost of getting certified depends on where you take your training course or purchase your study materials. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$2,000 USD depending on your training provider and any additional materials you may need to purchase.

8. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in technology. The MTA certification is intended for those just starting out in technology, or those who are looking to gain basic knowledge of Microsoft products and services. It is also useful for students and professionals who want to demonstrate their technical proficiency in the field of IT.

The MTA certification is offered in three different tracks: Developer, Database, and IT Infrastructure. Each track consists of one exam that covers topics such as programming fundamentals, database design, networking fundamentals, security fundamentals, software development fundamentals, and Windows operating system fundamentals. The exams are available through Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide.

It typically takes about two hours to complete an MTA exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on which track you choose; however, it generally costs around $127 USD per exam.

In order to obtain an MTA certification, you must pass the corresponding exam with a score of 700 or higher on a scale of 1000 points. Once you have passed the exam, your results will be sent directly to Microsoft and your certification will be issued within four weeks.

9. EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)

EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA) is an advanced certification program designed to provide IT security professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to assess, analyze, and mitigate security risks in an organization's IT infrastructure. The program is based on the industry-leading Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) course material and provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical hacking process.

The ECSA program consists of two parts: a 5-day instructor-led training course followed by a 4-hour proctored exam. The training course covers topics such as network security, system security, cryptography, malware analysis, web application security, and more. After completing the training course, candidates must pass the proctored exam in order to become certified.

The ECSA certification is valid for three years from the date of completion. Candidates must complete a recertification exam every three years in order to maintain their certification status.

To get ECSA certified, you first need to attend an approved ECSA training course from an accredited provider. After completing the training course, you can register for the proctored exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges between $500-$700 USD.

10. VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV)

The VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) is an industry-recognized certification that validates a candidate’s ability to install, configure, and manage a vSphere 6.0 environment. It demonstrates the expertise to deploy and optimize the virtualized data center using best practices.

To become VCP6-DCV certified, you must first complete a VMware approved training course from an authorized training partner. After completing the course, you will need to pass two exams: The VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) Exam and the VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) Delta Exam.

The VCP6-DCV exam is available as an online proctored exam or in a Pearson VUE testing center. The exam covers topics such as installing, configuring, and managing vSphere 6.0 components like ESXi hosts, vCenter Server, storage solutions, networking solutions, and more. The exam consists of 85 questions and has a time limit of 105 minutes.

The VCP6-DCV Delta Exam is available as an online proctored exam or in a Pearson VUE testing center. This exam focuses on changes since the previous version of vSphere 5.5 and covers topics such as new features in vSphere 6.0 like Long Distance vMotion, Storage DRS enhancements, Distributed Switch enhancements, etc. The exam consists of 55 questions with a time limit of 90 minutes.

The cost for the VCP6-DCV certification varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $225 - $250 USD for each individual exam ($450 - $500 USD total).

Do You Really Need a Support Technician Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's goals and objectives. For those who want to pursue a career in support technology, a Support Technician Certificate can be beneficial. It provides education and training that is tailored to the specific needs of a support technician, allowing them to gain the necessary knowledge and skills needed for the job.

Having a Support Technician Certificate can also be helpful when applying for jobs. It shows employers that you have taken the time and effort to obtain additional training in this field. This certificate may also give you an edge over other applicants since employers usually look favourably upon candidates with extra qualifications or experience.

However, if your goal is simply to learn more about support technology and do not necessarily plan on entering the field professionally, then you may not need a Support Technician Certificate. You can still gain valuable knowledge through self-study or by attending seminars or workshops related to support technology topics.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a Support Technician Certificate depends on your goals and objectives. If you are looking to pursue a career in support technology, then obtaining such certification would be beneficial for your professional development. However, if your main aim is simply to increase your general knowledge of this area, then it is possible to do so without obtaining an official certification.

Related: Support Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Support Technician Certifications

1. What types of certifications are available for Support Technicians?

Answer: There are a number of certifications available for Support Technicians, including CompTIA A+, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), and VMware Certified Professional (VCP).

2. How much does it cost to become certified as a Support Technician?

Answer: The cost of certification varies depending on the type of certification and where you take the exam. Generally, certification exams can range from $100-$600 or more.

3. What is the difference between a Support Technician Certification and other IT certifications?

Answer: A Support Technician Certification focuses specifically on troubleshooting issues related to computers and other technology devices, while other IT certifications may focus on networking, security, or programming.

4. How long does it take to become certified as a Support Technician?

Answer: It depends on the type of certification you are pursuing and how quickly you are able to study and prepare for the exam. Generally, most people can complete their certification within 6-12 months with some preparation time.

5. Is there any benefit to becoming certified as a Support Technician?

Answer: Yes! Having a Support Technician Certification can open doors to new job opportunities, higher salaries, better job security, and more credibility in your field.