9 Best IT Certifications for Beginners: How to Start Your Tech Career

Starting a career in IT can feel overwhelming—but the right certifications can give you clarity, confidence, and a competitive edge. Whether you’re just entering the tech world or looking to boost your skills, earning one of the best IT certifications for beginners can open the door to high-demand, high-paying roles in areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and network administration.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top entry-level certifications for 2025, what they cover, and how they can shape your career.

What Are IT Certifications?

IT certifications are industry-recognized credentials that validate your knowledge in a specific area of technology. Offered by organizations like CompTIA, Microsoft, and AWS, these certifications often require passing an exam and sometimes completing a training course. For beginners, they serve as proof that you have the skills to get started in roles like help desk support, junior network administrator, or entry-level cybersecurity analyst.

Why IT Certifications Matter for Beginners

Whether you’re starting from scratch, switching careers, or adding tech skills to your toolbox, IT certifications for beginners can fast-track your journey into the tech industry. They bridge the gap between interest and employment by providing structured learning, hands-on labs, and a measurable way to prove your skills to employers. Here’s why they’re invaluable:

• Credibility – Certifications validate your knowledge and show hiring managers you’re job-ready.

• Accessibility – Many require no prior degree or experience, making them perfect for career changers.

• Career Clarity – Exposure to fields like networking, security, or cloud computing helps you find your specialization.

• Higher Employability – Companies often list certifications as “preferred” or even “required” for entry-level roles.

• Earning Potential – Certified professionals typically earn higher salaries and enjoy faster career growth.

By earning IT certifications for beginners, you gain a competitive edge, improve job security, and open doors to promotions in the fast-paced tech world.

How to Choose the Right IT Certification for You

With so many IT certifications for beginners available, selecting the right one can feel overwhelming. The best certification for you depends on your career goals, interests, and learning preferences. Before enrolling in a course, ask yourself these key questions:

• What area of IT am I interested in? (e.g., support, networking, cloud, cybersecurity)

• Do I prefer vendor-neutral certifications or specialize in a specific technology? (e.g., AWS, Microsoft, Cisco)

• What’s my current experience level? (Complete beginner vs. some foundational knowledge)

• What job roles am I targeting? (Help desk, cloud admin, security analyst, etc.)

• What’s my learning style? (Self-paced online courses vs. instructor-led training)

By answering these questions, you’ll narrow down the best IT certifications for beginners that align with your career path.

Best IT Certifications for Beginners

Here are the best beginner-friendly IT certifications to consider in 2025, organized by focus area:

1. CompTIA A+

• Best for: Aspiring IT support specialists, help desk technicians, and anyone starting an IT career with no experience.
• Ideal Roles: Help Desk Technician, Support Specialist, Service Desk Analyst

The CompTIA A+ certification is widely regarded as the best entry point into the IT world. It covers hardware, operating systems, networking, troubleshooting, and basic security—skills essential for almost any IT support role. You’ll need to pass two exams, but once certified, you’ll be well-positioned for a range of beginner-level positions.

2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

• Best for: Beginners exploring cloud computing or business professionals seeking foundational knowledge of Azure.
• Ideal Roles: Systems Administrator, Cloud Support Associate

The AZ-900 certification introduces you to cloud concepts and core Azure services. It’s designed for those new to cloud computing and provides foundational knowledge in cloud models, pricing, governance, and security. It’s especially valuable if you plan to pursue more advanced Microsoft Azure certifications later on.

3. Google Associate Cloud Engineer

• Best for: Beginners aiming for cloud engineering roles or those working in GCP-based environments.
• Ideal Roles: Cloud Engineer, Systems Administrator

This beginner-friendly Google Cloud certification teaches you how to deploy applications, monitor operations, and manage enterprise solutions on the Google Cloud Platform. It’s perfect for those entering cloud computing and looking for practical, hands-on experience with cloud-based infrastructure.

4. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

• Best for: Career starters interested in cloud computing or planning to specialize in Amazon Web Services.
• Ideal Roles: Cloud Support Technician, AWS Solutions Architect (Entry-Level)

Offered by Amazon Web Services, this foundational certification helps you understand AWS services, billing models, cloud concepts, and security principles. It’s ideal for non-technical professionals or beginners who want to build a cloud career with the world’s most widely used cloud platform.

5. CompTIA Security+

• Best for: Newcomers to cybersecurity who want to pursue analyst, administrator, or security-focused IT positions.
• Ideal Roles: Security Administrator, Network Security Specialist

CompTIA Security+ is an excellent starting point for aspiring cybersecurity professionals. The certification covers risk management, threat analysis, cryptography, and secure network architecture. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense, it’s often required for government-related IT security roles.

6. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• Best for: Beginners who want to specialize in networking or prepare for roles like network engineer or systems administrator.
• Ideal Roles: Network Engineer, Systems Administrator

The CCNA certification validates your ability to install, configure, and troubleshoot networks using Cisco hardware. Although Cisco-specific, the skills you learn—IP connectivity, security fundamentals, automation—are highly transferable across many tech roles and platforms.

7. Google IT Support Professional Certificate

• Best for: Total beginners looking to start an IT career without prior experience or a degree.
• Ideal Roles: IT Support Specialist, Desktop Support Technician

This professional certificate from Google prepares beginners for entry-level IT support roles with no prior experience required. You’ll learn system administration, troubleshooting, customer support, and tools like Linux and PowerShell. It’s also aligned with the CompTIA A+ certification path.

8. CompTIA Network+

• Best for: Entry-level professionals pursuing careers in network administration or IT infrastructure support.
• Ideal Roles: Network Administrator, IT Support Technician

This vendor-neutral certification provides foundational networking knowledge, such as TCP/IP, configuring routers and switches, and wireless troubleshooting. It’s often chosen as a follow-up to the A+ for those looking to specialize in networking.

9. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

• Best for: Beginners pursuing IT project coordination or tech-adjacent roles that require PM skills.
• Ideal Roles: Project Coordinator, IT Project Assistant

While not IT-specific, the CAPM is a valuable credential for those looking to enter tech project management. It covers the fundamentals of planning, executing, and closing projects using PMI’s methodologies. It’s especially helpful if you plan to manage teams or tech deployments in the future.

Supporting Certifications with a Degree (or Vice Versa)

While certifications offer fast, skill-based entry into the IT field, pairing them with a degree can unlock even more opportunities. Here’s how they complement each other:

• Certifications build practical, job-ready skills.
• Degrees provide theoretical knowledge and long-term career mobility.

Some students start with certifications and pursue a degree later, while others study for certifications during college. Either way, combining both can increase employability, confidence, and salary potential.

Final Thoughts: Launch Your IT Career with the Right Certification

Earning one of these IT certifications for beginners is more than just adding a credential to your resume—it’s your gateway to a thriving tech career. Whether you choose CompTIA A+ for IT fundamentals, or AWS Cloud Practitioner for cloud computing each certification equips you with in-demand skills and credibility. The tech industry values certified professionals, and with the right training, dedication, and hands-on practice, you’ll be well on your way to landing your first IT role.

Ready to take the next step? Pick a certification that aligns with your goals, invest in your learning, and start building the future you want in tech. The opportunities are endless—all you need is the right certification to get started!

Bay Atlantic University: Supporting Your Certification Journey

Bay Atlantic University (BAU) is committed to preparing students for the demands of today’s tech-driven world through its robust technology and STEM programs. Alongside these academic offerings, BAU provides all students with free access to Coursera, opening the door to thousands of additional courses and industry-recognized certificates.

This combination allows students to enhance their degrees with specialized skills in areas like IT, cloud computing, data science, and beyond. With a BAU education and Coursera’s global resources, graduates are equipped with both academic knowledge and practical expertise, giving them a powerful advantage in the job market.

For those seeking an IT career that values both formal education and professional certification, BAU offers the ideal environment to thrive. Apply now and join a university where your degree and your future certifications work hand in hand to launch your tech career with confidence!

FAQs About IT Certifications for Beginners

1. Which IT certification should I get first as a beginner?

For most beginners, CompTIA A+ is the best starting point. It covers the fundamentals of IT—hardware, software, networking, and troubleshooting—and is widely recognized by employers as the standard entry-level credential. If you’re interested in cloud or cybersecurity, AZ-900 or Security+ are also great first steps.

2. Can I get an IT job with just a certification and no degree?

Yes, absolutely. Many entry-level IT roles do not require a college degree if you have a relevant certification and practical skills. Certifications like CompTIA A+, Google IT Support, or AWS Cloud Practitioner are designed to help you qualify for jobs such as IT support specialist, junior cloud engineer, or help desk technician—even without a degree.

3. How long does it take to earn an IT certification?

It depends on the certification and your experience. For beginners, most entry-level certifications like CompTIA A+, Security+, or AZ-900 can be completed within 1–3 months of part-time study. Some professional certificate programs, like Google IT Support, are designed to be completed in 4–6 months at your own pace.

4. Are IT certifications hard to pass?

Not if you prepare properly. Most beginner certifications are designed to be accessible with no prior experience. Many offer official prep courses, online tutorials, practice exams, and even hands-on labs. With consistent study and practice, passing your first IT certification is very achievable—even for total beginners.

5. What’s the difference between vendor-neutral and vendor-specific certifications?

Vendor-neutral certifications (like CompTIA A+ or Network+) teach general concepts that apply across multiple technologies and systems. Vendor-specific certifications (like AWS Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals) focus on tools from a particular provider. Both types are valuable, but vendor-specific certs are especially helpful if you’re targeting jobs that use those platforms.

6. Do IT certifications expire?

Yes, most certifications require renewal every 2–3 years to stay current. Some, like CompTIA A+, can be renewed through continuing education or retaking the exam. Others, like AWS or Microsoft Azure, require recertification exams. It’s important to keep track of expiration dates so your credentials remain valid and up to date.