Optional or employer preference
CompTIA A+
CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association)
An industry certification for starting in IT support. It is not a licence; some employers ask for it and many do not.
- Awarding body
- CompTIA
- Level
- Industry certification (CompTIA's own levels; not on the UK qualification framework)
- Where it applies
- Global, including the UK
- Exams
- 2 exams: Core 1 (hardware and networking) and Core 2 (operating systems and security), in any order
- Entry
- CompTIA does not set formal entry requirements on its certification page — check before booking.
- Outside this area
- Recognised by employers in many countries.
Assessment and registration fees
| Fee | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee (each) | Check current price with CompTIA | CompTIA (opens in a new tab)checked 14 Oct 2026 |
- CompTIA's certification page does not show a UK price, so no figure is shown. Training courses are sold separately by providers.
Official page: CompTIA (opens in a new tab)Checked 14 Oct 2026