CompTIA A+
The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry standard for computer support technicians. The international, vendor-neutral certification proves competence in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ certified technicians also have excellent customer service and communication skills to work with clients.
CompTIA A+ is part of the certification track for corporations such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco and Novell. Other technology companies, including CompuCom and Ricoh, have made CompTIA A+ certification mandatory for their service technicians. More than 700,000 people worldwide have become CompTIA A+ certified since the program’s inception in 1993.
The latest version of CompTIA A+ is CompTIA A+ 2009 Edition. Two exams are necessary to be certified: CompTIA A+ Essentials, exam code 220-701; and CompTIA A+ Practical Application, exam code 220-702.
CompTIA A+ Essentials measures the necessary competencies of an entry-level IT professional with a recommended 500 hours of hands-on experience in the lab or field. It tests for the fundamentals of computer technology, networking and security, as well as the communication skills and professionalism now required of all entry-level IT professionals.
CompTIA A+ Practical Application is an extension of the knowledge and skills identified in CompTIA A+ Essentials, with more of a "hands-on" orientation focused on scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems.
View the new objectives here
View information on the previous version of CompTIA A+
For candidates certified under previous versions of the exam:
CompTIA A+ certified professionals who are encouraged or required by their employers to remain current on their certifications have two options:
1. Take the CompTIA A+ 2009 Edition (two exams).
2. Only those who are certified in the most recent version of CompTIA A+ (2006 objectives) by taking 220-601 and one of the following: 220-602, 220-603 and 220-604 exams are eligible to update their currency through taking the CompTIA A+ bridge exam (one exam), which covers the new objectives.
The existing CompTIA A+ 600 series exams remain relevant and are in use by organizations and educational institutions throughout the world. The English version of these exams will retire in the U.S., Canada and South Africa on February 28, 2010. The English version will retire in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand on August 31, 2010. The educational versions of these exams (JK0-601, JK0-602, JK0-603 and JK0-604), as well as the German, Korean, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese translations of the 220-601 through 220-604 CompTIA A+ exams, will remain in the market for use until August 31, 2010.
Questions? Contact questions@comptia.org.
Why A New Exam?
The CompTIA A+ exam was last updated in 2006. Releasing a new version of the exam ensures that CompTIA A+ reflects changes in technologies and covers the latest skills needed by IT technicians. Additionally, CompTIA A+ is ISO 17024 accredited and must be reviewed and updated every three years to maintain accreditation.
“CompTIA A+ covers all the knowledge beginning techs need, and
being certified gives them an advantage over those who are not
certified."
Amy Proveniers
Business Support Representative, Dell
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