CompTIA A+: a first IT certification, taken in two parts
CompTIA A+ is two exams, Core 1 and Core 2, and each US voucher costs $274 (November 2026), so the exam fees alone come to $548. With free study material that is the whole bill; with a five-day class, a first attempt costs up to $4,003. A+ is the usual first certification for help-desk and IT support jobs. Starting from scratch, we would allow 2 to 4 months for both exams.
Key facts
- A+ takes two exams, 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2), and each US voucher costs $274. (CompTIA, checked November 5, 2026)
- Each exam has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes; you need 675 to pass Core 1 and 700 to pass Core 2, on a 900-point scale. (CompTIA, checked November 5, 2026)
- A+ is valid for three years; renewing by continuing education takes 20 units and a $75 fee. (CompTIA, checked November 5, 2026)
Is A+ the right first certification?
A+ shows that you can handle the daily work of a help desk: hardware, operating systems, networking basics, security and troubleshooting. It is the usual first certification for help-desk and IT support jobs, and CompTIA designs it for people starting out, so it rewards breadth and hands-on familiarity more than depth.
A good fit if
- You are new to IT and want a help-desk or desktop support job
- You already fix computers for friends or a small office and want a credential that names that work
- Help-desk job ads you are applying to list A+
Think twice if
- You already have a year or more in IT support and the jobs you want do not ask for A+: Network+ or a cloud foundation exam builds more on what you know
- You are aiming straight at cloud roles rather than support
- You want security work and already have basic IT skills
Consider instead: CompTIA Network+ if you already work in support; AWS Cloud Practitioner or AZ-900 for a cloud start (see the comparison); ISC2 CC for an entry-level security credential.
Short answers
- How much does CompTIA A+ cost?
- $548 in exam fees ($274 for each of two exams) as of November 2026, plus any training you choose.
- Do I have to take both A+ exams?
- Yes. You need to pass 220-1201 and 220-1202, both from the same version.
- Can I study for A+ for free?
- Yes. Professor Messer's video courses for both exams are free; the vouchers are the only fixed cost.
- Is A+ worth it without experience?
- It is designed for people starting in IT support; CompTIA recommends 12 months of experience but it is not required.
Two exams from the same version
The current version, V15, has two exams: 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2), launched March 25, 2025. Each has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes. You need 675 to pass Core 1 and 700 to pass Core 2, on a 900-point scale, and both exams must be from the same version. CompTIA recommends about 12 months of IT support experience but does not require it, and expects this version to retire around 2028.
Because you pay per exam, a failed attempt costs $274, not the full $548. CompTIA also sells each voucher with a retake for $359.
Who should pay for a course
A+ covers a lot of ground (hardware, operating systems, networking basics, security and troubleshooting) but little of it is conceptually hard. That makes it well suited to self-study. A course earns its price when you have never worked with computer hardware, learn better with an instructor, or have an employer covering it.
Every price, side by side
Totals add both vouchers ($548). Where a provider lists a voucher but does not say it covers both exams, the table adds both, and the row gives the lower total if it does.
| Route | Provider and course | Published price | Exam fee | First attempt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free videos | Professor Messer, Free 220-1201 and 220-1202 video courses. Checked November 5, 2026. | $0 | + $548 for both vouchers | $548 |
| E-learning | NetCom Learning, A+ certification prep (220-1201/220-1202), e-learning; vouchers not mentioned. Checked November 5, 2026. | $665 | + $548 for both vouchers | $1,213 |
| On-demand with vouchers | ONLC Training Centers, A+ On-Demand, 360-day access; ONLC lists an exam voucher (released after an 85% practice score), so ask whether it covers both exams; if it does, your total is $1,295. Checked November 5, 2026. | $1,295 | + $548 for both vouchers | $1,843 |
| Live class, 5 days | New Horizons, CompTIA A+ (220-1201/1202); vouchers sold separately. Checked November 5, 2026. | $2,495 | + $548 for both vouchers | $3,043 |
| Live class with vouchers | ONLC Training Centers, A+ Complete, 5 days live online; ONLC lists an exam voucher (released after an 85% practice score), so ask whether it covers both exams; if it does, your total is $2,795. Checked November 5, 2026. | $2,795 | + $548 for both vouchers | $3,343 |
| Live virtual class | Global Knowledge, CompTIA A+ Certification (Accelerated, G004); the listed US dates are virtual; vouchers sold separately. Checked November 5, 2026. | $3,195 | + $548 for both vouchers | $3,743 |
| Live class with vouchers | Learning Tree, CompTIA A+ certification training, 5 days; Learning Tree lists an exam voucher, so ask whether it covers both exams; if it does, your total is $3,455. Checked November 5, 2026. | $3,455 | + $548 for both vouchers | $4,003 |
Course prices are roughly $2,500 to $3,500 for five days, but what is included varies more than the price. ONLC and Learning Tree list an exam voucher with their courses; New Horizons and Global Knowledge sell vouchers separately.
Checking an A+ course before you enroll
- Does it teach V15, both 220-1201 and 220-1202? You must pass both exams from the same version, and CompTIA expects V15 to retire around 2028.
- Does the listed voucher cover both exams? ONLC and Learning Tree list a voucher without saying; ONLC releases its voucher only after an 85% practice score. New Horizons and Global Knowledge sell vouchers separately.
- How long does access last? ONLC's on-demand course gives 360 days. Check that the access you buy covers the time you need for both exams, not just the first.
- What hands-on practice is included? If you have never opened a computer, ask whether the course gives you hardware or virtual lab exercises, not only videos.
Renewal
A+ is valid for three years. To renew by continuing education, earn 20 units and pay CompTIA's $75 fee for the three-year period, or take CertMaster CE for A+ ($139), which includes the fee.
For an employer funding a help desk
A+ is a sensible baseline for a new support hire. For a group, compare one private class with CompTIA's Learn bundles per person ($561 for Core 1 and $554 for Core 2, each with a voucher and a retake), and check whether vouchers come with the class. Paying per exam also lets you fund Core 1 first and Core 2 once it is passed.
Next step
Ask for help choosing CompTIA A+ training
Sources
- CompTIA: A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam details and voucher price, checked November 5, 2026
- CompTIA: A+ Core 2 (220-1202) exam details, checked November 5, 2026
- CompTIA: continuing education renewal fees, checked November 5, 2026
Prices are published list prices we recorded on the dates shown, not quotes. How we research.