New CompTIA Certification Exams Have Been Released OR Will Be Released Soon
Recently, most new CompTIA certification exams have been released or will be released soon for insteading of the current CompTIA exams. The old CompTIA certification exams always retire usually three years after they launch. This article will share the available CompTIA certification exams.
CompTIA is a nonprofit trade association focusing on educating and certifying IT professionals. Also, CompTIA figures prominently in philanthropy and public policy advocacy. CompTIA certifications are the best recognized in the IT industry. CompTIA has four IT certification series that test different knowledge standards – from entry-level to expert.
- Core
- Infrastructure
- Cybersecurity
- Additional Professional
Core
CompTIA core certifications are designed to build core fundational skills. CompTIA offers four core certifications, including CompTIA IT Fundamentals+, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+.
CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ a pre-career certification focused on IT foundation framework, which is an introduction to basic IT knowledge and skills. Why choose to be a CompTIA ITF+ certified? It helps the candidates to decide if a career in IT is right for them or to develop a broader understanding of IT. Aslo, CompTIA ITF+ certification is the only single certification that covers all areas of IT foundations, creating a broader understanding of IT making it ideal for non-technical professionals.
There is no prior experience necessary for CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification, but just pass FC0-U61 exam successfully. FC0-U61 CompTIA ITF+ exam focuses on the knowledge and skills required to identify and explain the basics of computing, IT infrastructure, software development, and database use.
CompTIA A+
Every candidate knows how popular the CompTIA A+ certification is. As the most accepted entry-level certification, CompTIA A+ focuses on user support and device connectivity. CompTIA A+ certification is the only credential with performance-based items to prove pros can think on their feet to perform critical IT support tasks in the moment. The holders are proven problem solvers, so they are trusted by employers around the world to identify the go-to person in end point management & technical support roles.
9 to 12 months hands-on experience in tha lad or field are recommended to earn CompTIA A+ certification. It requires candidates to pass two exams:
220-1001 CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 1
220-1002 CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 2
220-1001 exam covers mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing and network troubleshooting; and 220-1002 covers installing and configuring operating systems, expanded security, software troubleshooting and operational procedures.
CompTIA Network+
As one the favorate network certification, CompTIA Network+ helps candidates develop a career in IT infrastructure covering troubleshooting, configuring, and managing networks. It is targeting core system connections with endpoint devices, and ensures an IT professional has the knowledge and skills to:
Design and implement functional networks
Configure, manage, and maintain essential network devices
Use devices such as switches and routers to segment network traffic and create resilient networks
Identify benefits and drawbacks of existing network configurations
Implement network security, standards, and protocols
Troubleshoot network problems
Support the creation of virtualized networks
To plan for CompTIA Network+ certification, candidates are required to have achieved CompTIA A+ certification first, and should have at least 9 to 12 months of networking experience. Then choose to take the CompTIA Network+ exam successfully. Currently, you need to register N10-007 exam for this certification, this exam will be valid till the summer of 2022. Additionally, new CompTIA Network+ exam, N10-008 will be available in September of 2021.
CompTIA Security+
Focusing on the entry-level cybersecurity skills, CompTIA Security+ is aligned to the latest trends and techniques. It is a global certification that validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career, and it is chosen by more corporations and defense organizations than any other certification on the market to validate baseline security skills and for fulfilling the DoD 8570 compliance.
Candidates are required to earn the CompTIA Network+ certification and have two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus. Candidates may be familiar with the old CompTIA Security+ SY0-501 exam. It is available in English, Japanese, Portuguese and Simplified Chinese. However, the English language of SY0-501 exam has retired on July 31, 2021. Now, it is highly recommend to take SY0-601 exam to complete the CompTIA Security+ certification.
Infrastructure
CompTIA Infrastructure certifications are designed to complement the Network+ credential, including CompTIA Server+, CompTIA Cloud+ and CompTIA Linux+.
CompTIA Server+
CompTIA Server+ certification, as a a global certification that validates the hands-on skills of IT professionals who install, manage and troubleshoot servers in data centers as well as on-premise and hybrid environments, is focusing on issues related to server support and administration. It is the only certification that can ensure the administrator-level IT professionals to get the job in any environment because it is the only certification that is not limited to a single platform.
Currently, you have two choices to complete CompTIA Server+ certification, both SK0-004 and SK0-005 exams are available for the certification. If you choose to take SK0-004 exam, you need to make sure you have CompTIA A+ certification, also have 18 to 24 months of IT experience. By the way, the retirement of SK0-004 exam is in December of 2021.
SK0-005 exam is the new CompTIA Server+, which is available recently. While planning for SK0-005 exam for CompTIA Server plus certification, you will be recommended to have CompTIA A+ certified or equivalent knowledge and two years of hands-on experience working in a server environment.
CompTIA Cloud+
CompTIA Cloud+ certification, covering covering hybrid cloud, virtual system administration and deploying network storage resources, validates the skills needed to deploy and automate secure cloud environments that support the high availability of business systems and data. It is ideal for cloud engineers who need to have expertise across multiple products and systems.
CompTIA Cloud plus certification is the only cloud focused certification approved for DoD 8570.01-M, offering an infrastructure option for individuals who need to certify in IAM Level I, CSSP Analyst and CSSP Infrastructure Support roles. That’s why so many candidates are planning for CompTIA Cloud+ certification.
Now, there are two exams are available for CompTIA Cloud+ certification. One is CV0-002, which reflects an emphasis on incorporating and managing cloud technologies as part of broader systems operations. 2-3 years in system administration is the recommended experience for taking CV0-002 exam. CompTIA Cloud+ CV0-002 exam will be retired in December of 2021. The other is CV0-003, a new CompTIA Cloud+ certification. Candidates can choose to earn the CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Server+ certifications, also should have 2-3 years of experience in systems administration or networking.
CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA Linux+ certification is the job-focused Linux certification covering the latest foundational skills demanded by hiring managers. The current CompTIA Linux+ certification is for the IT pro who will use Linux to manage everything from cars and smartphones to servers and supercomputers, as a vast number of enterprises use Linux in cloud, cybersecurity, mobile and web administration applications.
Passing XK0-004 exam is the requirement of getting CompTIA Linux+ certifications. Additionally, the recommended experience is CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and 12 months of Linux admin experience.
Cybersecurity
CompTIA cybersecurity certification is one of the perfect way to boost your career. CompTIA offers three cybersecurity credentials, including CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA CASP+ and the CompTIA PenTest+.
CompTIA CySA+
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is an IT workforce certification that applies behavioral analytics to networks and devices to prevent, detect and combat cybersecurity threats through continuous security monitoring, which stands for Cyber Security Analyst, and targets IT security behavioral analysts. It covers the most up-to-date core security analyst skills and upcoming job skills used by threat intelligence analysts, application security analysts, compliance analysts, incident responders/handlers, and threat hunters, bringing new techniques for combating threats inside and outside of the Security Operations Center (SOC).
CompTIA CySA+ certification requires to take CS0-002 exam. It also recommends to have Network+, Security+ or equivalent knowledge. Additionally, have minimum of 4 years of hands-on information security or related experience.
CompTIA CASP+
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) is an ideal certification for professionals who design and implement security solutions. It is the only hands-on, performance-based certification for practitioners – not managers – at the advanced skill level of cybersecurity. While cybersecurity managers help identify what cybersecurity policies and frameworks could be implemented, CASP+ certified professionals figure out how to implement solutions within those policies and frameworks.
Now, both CAS-003 and CAS-004 are valid for CompTIA CASP+ certification. CAS-003 exam is an old one, which covers the technical knowledge and skills required to conceptualize, engineer, integrate and implement secure solutions across complex environments to support a resilient enterprise. It requires to have a minimum of ten years of experience in IT administration, including at least five years of hands-on technical security experience.
However, the retirement of CAS-003 exam is in February of 2022. So CAS-004 will be launched in October of 2021, covering the technical knowledge and skills required to architect, engineer, integrate, and implement secure solutions across complex environments to support a resilient enterprise while considering the impact of governance, risk, and compliance requirements. A minimum of ten years of general hands-on IT experience, with at least five years of broad hands-on security experience are recommended.
CompTIA PenTest+
CompTIA PenTest+ is the only penetration testing exam targeting professionals who conduct penetration and vulnerability testing to ensure they possess the skills, knowledge, and ability to perform tasks on systems. Successful candidates will have the intermediate skills required to customize assessment frameworks to effectively collaborate on and report findings.
To earn the CompTIA PenTest+ certification, you will be recommended to have:
Network+, Security+ or equivalent knowledge.
Minimum of 3-4 years of hands-on information security or related experience.
While there is no required prerequisite, PenTest+ is intended to follow CompTIA Security+ or equivalent experience and has a technical, hands-on focus.
You can choose to complete PT0-001 exam to achieve CompTIA PenTest+ certification. It will be retired in April of 2022. So PT0-002 exam will be launched in October of 2021.
Additional Professional
Additional Professional certification include several credentials which don’t readily fit into any of the foregoing CompTIA career paths, including CompTIA Project+, CompTIA CTT+ and CompTIA Cloud Essentials.
CompTIA Project+
CompTIA Project+ is ideal for professionals who need to manage smaller, less complex projects as part of their other job duties but still have foundational project management skills. Taking PK0-004 exam is the requirement to complete CompTIA Project+ certification to certify the knowledge and skills required to manage the project life cycle, ensure appropriate, communication, manage resources, manage stakeholders, and maintain project documentation. At least 12 months of cumulative project management experience or equivalent education are recommended.
CompTIA CTT+
Hold CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification designates you as an exceptional trainer in your field. You can benefit from CompTIA CTT+ certification:
CTT+ is trusted by leading organizations, such as Dell, Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco, IBM and Ricoh. They accept CompTIA CTT+ as proof that an instructor is qualified to teach their programs.
CTT+ lets you teach with confidence.
CTT+ verifies essential teaching modalities. Earning a CTT+ certification can validate your skills as a top trainer in a virtual or physical classroom.
6 to 12 months of trainer/instructor experience are recommended to plan for CompTIA CTT+ certification. To earn the certification, two exams must be passed. In addition to TK0-201, you’ll have to pass either TK0-202 or TK0-203.
CompTIA Cloud Essentials
CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ is for both IT and non-technical professionals who require the essential business acumen needed to make informed cloud service decisions. It stands alone in this field by demonstrating that all necessary staff members – not just the IT specialists – understand how to increase efficiency, manage costs, and reduce security risks for organizations whenever tasked with making current cloud technology decisions.
Passing CLO-002 exam is the requirement of getting CompTIA Cloud Essentials certification. Also between six months to a year of work experience as a business analyst in an IT environment with some exposure to cloud technologies are recommended.