Must-Have IT Certifications for IT Admins

If you're a new IT admin trying to figure out which certifications actually matter, you've probably hit the same wall everyone does: vendor certification pages that push their own products, recruiter listicles that haven't been updated since 2019, and Reddit threads where experienced sysadmins and absolute beginners are arguing past each other. The noise is real. This article cuts through it with a sequenced path, not another flat menu of credentials.

The foundational sequence for new IT admins is well-established among practitioners: CompTIA A+ → Network+ → Security+. This combination, commonly called the CompTIA Trifecta, is the most consistently recommended starting point for IT admin roles. The investment is backed by data, 63% of certified professionals received or expected a promotion after earning a certification, according to Pearson VUE's 2025 Value of Certification report.

After the foundational trio, the right path depends on your environment: cloud (AZ-900 or AWS Cloud Practitioner), networking (CCNA), Linux (RHCSA), or cybersecurity (ISC2 CC as a zero-cost entry point). The pressure to get certified is real, 93% of IT professionals now hold at least one certification, per Skillsoft's 2024 IT Skills and Salary Report, which means credentials are a baseline expectation. That makes the order and selection more important than just the act of getting certified.

In this article, you'll find what each certification covers and who it's actually for, the honest total cost including prep and renewal, realistic study time estimates from practitioners, a sequenced roadmap for the IT admin role, and guidance on what to pursue after the foundational stack.

Do IT Certifications Actually Matter for New Admins?

The honest answer from practitioners is yes, but with a clear condition. IT certifications matter most when you don't yet have the experience to speak for itself. As one Spiceworks community member put it plainly: certifications are for getting the job, as bullet points on your resume. That's not cynical, it's accurate, and it's the right framing for where you are right now.

The career data supports it. Pearson VUE's 2025 report found that 53% of IT certification holders reported increased employability post-certification. For someone entering the field with no formal IT background, a certification is the closest equivalent to demonstrated experience you can put in front of a hiring manager. That's not a workaround, it's the system working as intended.

Yes, there's a contrarian camp. Senior sysadmins with 7+ years of hands-on experience sometimes say certifications stop mattering at that stage. That's a different conversation for a different career stage, and it's worth revisiting once you have 5+ years of hands-on work to back up your judgment. The real bottleneck for new admins isn't whether IT certifications are valuable. It's that most people get stuck deciding where to start and lose months to decision paralysis instead of studying.

If you're already working in a sysadmin role with 2+ years of hands-on experience, you can skip ahead to the cert roadmap section and use this article as a checklist rather than a starting point. For everyone else, read on.

The Best IT Certifications for New Admins, Explained

The certifications below are organized in the order a new IT admin should consider pursuing them, not alphabetically or by prestige. Not every cert here is mandatory. What's foundational versus role-specific will become clear as you read through each entry. If you're looking for the best IT certifications for beginners entering the IT admin path, this is the consolidated breakdown you'd otherwise spend days assembling from separate cert pages.

CompTIA A+: The Foundational Starting Point

CompTIA A+ is the universally recognized entry-level IT certification, and for most people with no formal background, it's the right place to begin. The current series is 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2), an updated version replacing the 220-1101/1102 series, with revisions for modern OS environments, cloud virtualization, and AI-adjacent device management.

Two separate exams are required. The combined cost is approximately $530 in exam fees alone. If you already have 1+ years of hands-on IT support experience, you may be ready to start at Network+ instead, the A+ is designed for people who need to build from scratch.

The A+ covers hardware, networking fundamentals, operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS), troubleshooting, cloud basics, and security fundamentals. That cross-platform OS and endpoint management foundation is directly applicable in real admin work, it's the same skill set you'll use in mobile device management platforms that manage devices across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android environments.

• Pros: Universally recognized, no prerequisites required, broad practical coverage across hardware and software, widely accepted by employers across all industry verticals
• Cons: For a no-prerequisites credential with this breadth of hardware, OS, and security coverage, $530 across two exams is justified, though if you have existing hands-on IT experience, starting at Network+ avoids paying for content you already know

Study time: ~240 hours total for a beginner (roughly 120 hours per exam). Renewal: 20 CEUs + ~$25/year ($75 over the 3-year cycle).

CompTIA Network+: Networking Fundamentals Without Vendor Lock-In

Among the best networking certifications for new IT admins, Network+ stands out for its vendor-neutral coverage, making it relevant regardless of the infrastructure stack your employer runs. The current exam cost is $390 (reflecting a post-June 2025 price increase from $369).

Network+ covers networking concepts, infrastructure, IP connectivity, network security, and troubleshooting. Study time for beginners typically runs 60–120 hours. Renewal requires 30 CEUs per 3-year cycle with no separate annual fee.

• Pros: Vendor-neutral coverage applies to virtually any environment, content overlaps significantly with CCNA for those considering a networking track later, widely recognized by employers across SMBs and enterprise
• Cons: If your employer runs exclusively Cisco infrastructure, CCNA may be more directly relevant to your daily work, see the CCNA entry below and the decision tree

CompTIA Security+: The Cert That Opens Government and Compliance Doors

Among the best cybersecurity certifications accessible to new IT admins, Security+ is the most broadly recognized entry-level option, and for anyone targeting government, defense contractors, or regulated industries, it's effectively mandatory. The current version is SY0-701, launched November 2023, updated to cover zero trust architecture, hybrid and cloud security, and modern incident response frameworks.

Security+ costs $425 (post-June 2025 price increase from $404) and satisfies IAT Level II and IAM Level I requirements under DoD 8140/8570, making it the most accessible route to DoD compliance for civilian and contractor candidates. Renewal requires 50 CEUs per 3-year cycle.

There's a critical planning note here: passing Security+ resets the 3-year renewal clock on both your Network+ and A+ under CompTIA's stackable certification model. If your A+ or Network+ has already expired when you sit Security+, the stackable benefit doesn't apply. Plan your timeline so Security+ is earned while both lower-tier certs are still active.

• Pros: DoD/government compliance pathway, stackable renewal benefit covers three certs in one cycle, SY0-701 covers current attack vectors and zero trust, content that maps directly to real admin responsibilities
• Cons: Highest CEU burden at renewal (50 CEUs), $425 exam fee is the highest in the foundational stack

One r/CompTIA member documented completing all three — A+, Network+, and Security+ — starting from zero in 6 months using Professor Messer's free YouTube videos and Jason Dion's practice exams (around $15–30 per set on Udemy). That's a validated, low-cost study path worth bookmarking now.

If you pass the A+ but aren't getting callbacks, check whether your resume shows hands-on experience alongside the credential, a home lab, help desk work, or internship context. A cert listed alone without supporting context rarely converts to an interview.

ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC): The Free Entry Point

ISC2's CC is a vendor-neutral cybersecurity certification currently available at no cost under the "One Million Certified in Cybersecurity" program, which includes free self-paced training and a free exam. It's the most practical starting point for anyone who wants a recognized cybersecurity credential before committing to Security+ financially.

The CC covers security principles, business continuity, incident response, access controls, network security, and security operations. ISC2 confirmed the program was active as of March 2024, verify current availability at isc2.org before registering, as program terms can change.

• Pros: Free for exam and training, genuine content depth from a respected brand, useful as a bridge between no credentials and Security+ prep
• Cons: $50/year maintenance fee applies after year one if you don't advance to full ISC2 Associate membership, less recognized than Security+ by most employers in non-security roles

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): The Cloud On-Ramp

AZ-900 is Microsoft's entry-level cloud certification with no prerequisites and a $99 exam fee. It's the natural next step for IT admins whose organizations run Microsoft 365, Azure, or hybrid Microsoft environments.

The exam covers cloud concepts (25–30%), Azure architecture and services (35–40%), and Azure management and governance (30–35%). Free official study materials are available through Microsoft Learn.

• Pros: Low cost, widely recognized in Microsoft-heavy environments, free official prep materials, no prerequisites
• Cons: Vendor-specific, less useful if your organization is AWS-based or cloud-agnostic

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: The Other Cloud Gateway

AWS's entry-level cloud certification has over 1.42 million active holders worldwide and costs $100 to sit. For IT admins in AWS environments or hybrid cloud organizations with AWS components, it's the logical counterpart to AZ-900.

A useful bonus: passing the AWS Cloud Practitioner grants 50% off all subsequent AWS exam fees, which matters if you plan to advance along the AWS certification track.

• Pros: Low cost, 50% discount on future AWS exams, massive practitioner community for study resources, free official prep through AWS Skill Builder
• Cons: Vendor-specific, not relevant in non-AWS environments

Cisco CCNA: For Serious Networking Roles

The CCNA (200-301) is the most recognized vendor-specific networking certification and the right credential when your role or target employer specifically runs Cisco infrastructure. The blueprint was updated in August 2024 (Version 1.1) to include Generative AI, Cloud Network Management, and Machine Learning topics, the first time AI/ML content has appeared in the CCNA blueprint, reflecting where enterprise network infrastructure is heading.

The exam costs $300. It's harder than Network+ and covers deeper Cisco-specific material.

• Pros: Industry benchmark for networking roles, expected by employers in Cisco-heavy environments, updated 2024 blueprint includes AI/ML content relevant to modern infrastructure
• Cons: Cisco-specific content means the credential has limited value outside Cisco infrastructure environments, if your org switches vendors, the cert's relevance narrows. The study time investment (120–200+ hours) is also significantly higher than Network+, so weigh that before committing

Your IT Admin Cert Roadmap: What to Get, and in What Order

The best IT certifications for your IT admin career follow a specific sequence, and that sequence changes depending on where you're starting. Here's how to map it out.

Step 1 — No IT background: Start with CompTIA A+, then Network+, then Security+. This is the full Trifecta. Budget 4–6 months with consistent weekly study. One r/CompTIA member documented completing all three starting from zero in 6 months using Professor Messer's free YouTube videos and Jason Dion's practice exams, a low-cost, fully validated approach.

Step 2 — Zero budget, want cybersecurity credentials: Sit the ISC2 CC before or alongside your Security+ prep. It's free, the content overlaps enough to accelerate your Security+ studies, and it adds a named credential from a respected brand at no cost.

Step 3 — Specialize after the Trifecta: Choose based on your actual work environment.

• Cloud-heavy org: AZ-900 (Microsoft shops) or AWS Cloud Practitioner (AWS environments)
• Cisco networking: CCNA, once you've confirmed your employer runs Cisco infrastructure
• Linux/server focus: RHCSA, performance-based, no expiry, and highly respected in Linux admin circles

Already have IT experience but no certs? Skip A+ and start at Network+ or Security+, depending on which aligns better with your current responsibilities.

Once you're in a sysadmin role — even at a 20-person startup — you'll be managing devices across platforms daily. Tools like mdm for smbs become part of your everyday toolkit, and the OS fundamentals from your A+ and Security+ prep are exactly what you need to use them confidently from day one.

A critical planning note on the stackable renewal benefit: if you earn A+ and Network+ but delay Security+ past their 3-year expiry dates, you lose the stackable renewal and must renew each cert separately, increasing your CEU burden significantly. Earn Security+ while A+ and Network+ are still active.

If you're 3–4 months in and feel stuck deciding between Network+ and CCNA, check which infrastructure your current or target employer actually runs. That answer decides for you.

Beyond the Exam Fee

Most certification guides list exam fees and stop there. The actual cost picture for the CompTIA Trifecta looks like this:

• Exam fees: A+ ($530) + Network+ ($390) + Security+ ($425) = $1,345 total
• Study materials (budget path): Professor Messer videos (free on YouTube) + Jason Dion practice exams (~$15–30 each on Udemy) = $45–$90 for all three certs
• Retake buffer: CompTIA charges the full exam fee for retakes. Budget one potential retake per exam if you're a first-time test taker, that adds $1,345 in potential retake exposure, though good preparation makes retakes unlikely
• Renewal over 3 years: A+ (~$75 in annual fees), Network+ (no fee, CEUs only), Security+ (no fee, CEUs only), CEU activities are often free through webinars and vendor training
• Total realistic cost with one retake buffer per exam: Exam fees plus retake buffer = $2,690; add $45–$90 in study materials = $2,735–$2,780 realistic total

Budget for a retake the same way you'd budget for a travel delay, it's not expected, but planning for it removes pressure from the first attempt. The practical mitigation is simple: don't book an exam until you're consistently scoring 80%+ on practice tests.

For cloud certs, the cost is far lower: AZ-900 and AWS Cloud Practitioner each run $99–$100, with free official prep through Microsoft Learn and AWS Skill Builder. The ISC2 CC is $0 in year one. One cost trap worth flagging: subscription-based study platforms can add ~$50/month in costs that compound fast if your study schedule slips, one-time Udemy purchases are usually the better call.

The ROI framing matters here. Pearson VUE's 2025 data shows 31% of certified professionals saw a salary increase of 20% or more post-certification. The total investment of under $2,800 for the full Trifecta is a concrete outlay with documented career returns, not a sunk cost. Understanding the benefits of mobile device management becomes directly relevant once you're responsible for endpoint security, connecting the cert skills you've built to the tools your organization depends on.

The most common delay in completing the cert journey isn't difficulty, it's study schedule discipline. New IT admins in solo, high-incident roles often start strong, get pulled into a workplace crisis, and lose weeks of momentum. That's worth naming, even if there's no tidy fix for it.

How Trio MDM Helps New IT Admins Hit the Ground Running

The skills you build toward the best IT certifications, cross-platform OS management, policy enforcement, endpoint security fundamentals, are the same skills you'll apply on day one in a real admin role. The A+ teaches you how devices work across operating systems. Security+ teaches you how to enforce policies and respond to threats. What comes next is finding tools that let you put those skills to use without a steep learning curve on top of an already demanding job.

Trio MDM is built around the same cross-platform reality the A+ prepares you for. It manages Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux from a single platform, and extends to IoT and specialized industrial devices, covering the same OS diversity your foundational cert prep teaches you to work across.

The Security+ content on automation and scripting maps directly to how Trio MDM handles device deployment. Zero-touch enrollment uses PowerShell scripts to silently install and register devices in bulk, no user interaction required. New admins can deploy across an entire fleet and start practicing real scripting in a real environment from the first week.

For compliance, Trio MDM automates policy enforcement against selected frameworks, automatically configuring controls like firewall requirements, password complexity, and screensaver timeouts. That's the governance and risk content from SY0-701 applied directly to your device fleet. On the BYOD side, Trio MDM creates a separate managed workspace on personal devices, keeping corporate and personal data completely isolated with no location tracking or full device control, a clean, privacy-respecting approach suited to small orgs where employees often use their own hardware.

Pricing starts at $2.20 per device per month, $33/month for the 15-device minimum, making it accessible for small teams without requiring enterprise-scale budget approval. A 14-day free trial is available if you want to explore the platform before committing.

Start your free trial or book a demo to see how Trio MDM fits into the admin workflow you're building.