A+ Certification - A Plus Certification Explained

If you have never had a computer break down on you, consider yourself the luckiest person on earth. For the rest of us, computers, like all machines, break down eventually. Fortunately, there are technicians out there to help us get back on track.

These technicians swoop in and save the day, helping us retrieve our files, restore or hard drives, and reinstall our software. What is it that most of these technicians have that the rest of us don't? They have A+ certification.

What is A+ certification?

A+ (A plus) is entry level certification for PC computer technicians. Individuals who have this certification possess the knowledge and skills to provide basic support for most types of IMB-compatible systems. Sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the A+ exam is a two-part ordeal that tests the individual's knowledge of hardware and software after 6 months of technical experience. A+ certification is an internationally recognized credential that requires no specific prerequisites. You might call it the basic entrance exam for computer support technicians.

Why get this certification?

The benefits of A+ certification are quite clear. Most employers will require this basic level of training before they hire you as a computer technician. It's like completing your high school education - it's extremely difficult to find rewarding employment without it. And it makes career advancement infinitely easier once you can demonstrate that you have passed this basic hurdle.

Let's face it. Computer jobs aren't going anywhere soon. In fact, they're multiplying at a fantastic rate. Our dependence on these machines grows each day, but for some reason we haven't learned to build machines that don't break. Until that day comes, having A+ certification basically guarantees you a job.