What you actually need to do to earn an IT certification
Getting an IT certification means passing an exam administered by a testing company, usually after studying material from that same company or an approved training partner. You pick a specific certification (CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Microsoft Azure Administrator, or others), study the topics that exam covers, pay the exam fee, sit for the test, and receive your credential if you pass. There is no central process process, no waiting list, and no single body that grants all IT certifications — each certification has its own exam, its own fee, and its own passing score.
The path is straightforward but not automatic. You must choose which certification fits your goal, find study materials that match that exam's content, budget time and money for both preparation and the test itself, and then schedule and pass the exam. Some certifications require you to have work experience first; most do not. Some require renewal every few years; others do not. The choice of which certification to pursue matters far more than the speed at which you pursue it.
Key Takeaways
- Each IT certification is a separate exam run by a separate company — CompTIA, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Cisco, and others each control their own credentials.
- Most entry-level certifications do not require prior work experience, but some mid-level and advanced certifications require you to prove you have worked in the field for a set number of years.
- Study materials come from the certification company itself, from training platforms like Udemy or Coursera, from boot camps, or from books and practice exams — the source matters less than whether it covers the actual exam topics.
- Exam fees range from roughly $100 to $400 depending on the certification, and you pay the testing company directly when you schedule your test.
- Most certifications expire after two to three years and require you to either retake the exam or complete continuing education to keep the credential active.
Choosing a certification that matches your actual goal
The first step is deciding which certification to pursue, because that choice determines everything that follows — the study time, the cost, the job market value, and whether you even meet the prerequisites. If you came from the overview article, you already know the broad categories: CompTIA certifications (A+, Network+, Security+) are vendor-neutral and widely recognized for general IT support roles; cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) are specific to one company's platform; and vendor certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, or others are specific to those companies' products.
The practical way to choose is to look at job postings in your area for roles you want. Search "IT support jobs near me" or "cloud administrator jobs" and read what certifications the postings mention. If three different postings all ask for CompTIA A+, that is your signal. If they mention AWS Certified Solutions Architect, that is your signal. You are not guessing — you are reading what employers actually want. Write down the certifications you see most often, then pick one to start with. Most people do not need all of them; one or two opens doors.
Understanding prerequisites and whether you need work experience
Some certifications require you to have already worked in IT for a certain number of years before you can even take the exam. CompTIA A+ has no experience requirement — anyone can sit for it. CompTIA Network+ officially recommends nine months of hands-on experience but does not require it. CompTIA Security+ requires either three years of IT work experience or a related degree, or completion of CompTIA Network+ or CySA+. AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate has no stated requirement but assumes you know AWS basics. AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional requires two years of hands-on experience designing AWS systems.
Check the official requirements page for the specific certification you chose. If you do not meet the experience requirement, you have two options: pursue a different, entry-level certification first, or gain the required experience through work or a hands-on lab environment. Some people take CompTIA A+ first (no experience needed), then Network+, then Security+, building up both knowledge and the experience hours that unlock higher certifications. Others start with a cloud certification that has no requirement and build from there. There is no single right path — the right path is the one that leads to a job you want.
Finding study materials that actually cover the exam
Once you know which certification you are pursuing, you need study materials. The certification company publishes an exam outline — a list of topics and subtopics the exam will cover. CompTIA publishes these publicly. Microsoft publishes them. AWS publishes them. Your job is to find study materials that cover those topics, not materials that are just generally about IT or cloud computing.
The most common sources are: official study guides published by the certification company or by Pearson (the official publisher for many certifications); video courses on Udemy, Coursera, or LinkedIn Learning that are specifically labeled for that exam; boot camps that teach to a specific certification; and practice exam banks that let you take full-length tests under timed conditions. Many people combine sources — they watch videos to learn concepts, read a study guide to fill gaps, and take practice exams to find weak areas. The cost varies widely: a Udemy course might be $15 to $50, a study guide $30 to $60, a practice exam bank $20 to $100, and a boot camp $500 to $3,000. You do not need all of them; most people spend $100 to $300 total on materials.
One practical step: before you buy anything, search for "[Certification Name] exam outline" and read the official topics. Then search for "[Certification Name] study guide" or "[Certification Name] course" and look at the table of contents or course outline. Does it cover the official topics? If yes, it is probably worth your time. If it covers only half the topics, skip it.
How to schedule and pay for the exam
Exam scheduling and payment happen through the testing company, not through the certification company — though sometimes they are the same organization. CompTIA exams are delivered through Pearson VUE, a testing company. You go to the Pearson VUE website, create an account, find the exam you want (by its code, like "220-1101" for CompTIA A+), choose a test center near you or select an online proctored option, pick a date and time, and pay the exam fee. Microsoft exams are scheduled through Pearson VUE as well. AWS exams are scheduled through Pearson VUE or PSI, another testing company. Google Cloud exams are scheduled through Webassessor.
Exam fees are set by the certification company and do not vary by location or test center. CompTIA A+ costs around $240. CompTIA Network+ costs around $240. CompTIA Security+ costs around $380. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner costs around $100. AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate costs around $150. Microsoft Azure Administrator costs around $165. These prices change occasionally, so check the official website for the current fee before you schedule.
You can take the exam at a physical test center (you go to a location, sit at a computer, and a proctor watches you) or online from home (you sit at your own computer, a proctor watches via webcam, and you must meet specific requirements like a quiet room and no other people present). Online proctoring is more convenient for many people but requires a stable internet connection and a clean desk. Both options cost the same.
Preparing for the exam and managing test anxiety
Most people spend four to twelve weeks studying before they take the exam, depending on their background and how much time they can dedicate each week. If you already work in IT, you might need only four weeks of focused study. If you are new to the field, you might need twelve weeks or more. The key is consistency — studying one hour a day for ten weeks is more effective than cramming for three days before the test.
A practical study plan: spend the first half of your study time learning the material through videos, reading, or courses. Spend the second half taking practice exams and reviewing the topics where you scored lowest. Most practice exam platforms show you which questions you got wrong and why, which tells you exactly where to focus. Take at least two full-length practice exams under timed conditions before the real exam — this trains you to manage time and reduces anxiety on test day.
Test anxiety is real and common. You are not alone if you feel nervous before the exam. The practical steps are: get good sleep the night before, eat a normal breakfast, arrive early so you are not rushed, and remember that you can retake the exam if you do not pass. Many people pass on their second attempt. The exam is not a one-shot judgment of your worth — it is a test of whether you know specific material, and if you do not pass, you study the weak areas and try again.
What happens after you pass and how to keep your certification active
When you pass the exam, the testing company sends you a digital badge and a certificate, usually within a few days. You can read these, add them to your LinkedIn profile, and include them on your resume. Some employers ask to see the certificate; most just want to know you have the certification. The credential is real and verifiable — employers can check the certification company's database to confirm you passed.
Most IT certifications expire after two to three years. CompTIA certifications are valid for three years. Microsoft certifications are valid for one year from the date you pass. AWS certifications are valid for three years. When your certification is about to expire, you have two options: retake the exam to renew it, or complete continuing education credits (also called continuing education units or CEUs) that the certification company offers. Continuing education is usually cheaper and faster than retaking the exam — you might take an online course or attend a webinar, earn the credits, and submit proof to the certification company. Check the renewal requirements for your specific certification before you take the exam, so you know what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree to get an IT certification?
No. Most IT certifications require only that you pass the exam. Some certifications, like CompTIA Security+, will accept either work experience or a related degree as a substitute for the other — so if you have a degree in computer science, you might not need three years of work experience. Check the specific certification's requirements page to see if your degree counts.
How much does it cost to get an IT certification?
Budget roughly $100 to $400 for the exam fee itself, plus $50 to $300 for study materials, depending on what you choose. A Udemy course and a practice exam bank might cost $100 total. A boot camp might cost $2,000 to $5,000. Most people spend $200 to $500 total to get their first certification. Renewal costs are usually lower — either another exam fee or a smaller fee for continuing education.
How long does it take to get an IT certification?
Most people take four to twelve weeks from the day they start studying to the day they take the exam, depending on their background and how much time they can study each week. If you study one hour a day, expect eight to twelve weeks. If you study five hours a day, expect four to six weeks. The exam itself takes two to three hours. You get your results when ready after you finish.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
Yes. You can retake any IT certification exam. Most testing companies require you to wait a certain number of days between attempts — CompTIA requires 14 days, for example. You pay the exam fee again each time you retake it. Many people pass on their second or third attempt after reviewing the topics where they scored lowest on the first attempt.
Will an IT certification help me get a job?
A certification alone does not may provide a job, but it significantly increases your chances if you choose the right one. Employers use certifications to verify that you know specific skills and technologies. The certification matters most when it matches what the job posting asks for. If you get CompTIA A+ and explore for jobs that ask for CompTIA A+, your chances are much better than if you get a certification that the job posting does not mention.