![[Featured image] IT learner in a pink blouse sits at a desk with a laptop and book and considers which entry-level IT certification to get.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/14lLHlq87ar3b4D3iUnyjp/75ae1e3badadadb23260187ecb2169fa/best-IT-certifications_1500x680.JPG?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
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9 Essential IT Certifications for 2026
Whether you’re just starting out or are established in your career, IT certifications have their benefits. Here are 9 prominent IT certifications to consider.
August 10, 2026
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Start Your IT Support Specialist Career
Explore articles about IT support, technical troubleshooting, and IT certifications. Learn about help desk technician and technical support specialist roles, CompTIA A+, networking, and how to start your IT career.
![[Featured image] A CompTIA A+-certified IT worker sits in a server room and works on a black desktop computer.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4Sau3xNFGrmrzciQ0o6web/075d72293437c70f9af2d6df4c3083cb/what-is-theCompTIA-A_-Certification_1500x680.JPG?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: An IT associate wearing an orange top sits at a desktop computer, exploring information about free IT certifications.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/114Z6JxwjZjEfnfTQpSqrl/31c53ee7e8e0e36d17afbfd977e06d3c/pexels-rfstudio-3059745.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A technical support specialist assists a colleague.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/5cG9k7hT1NFJ6VPiGkpo7n/d35b0b984cf4293af2b462c3c5f9cfcb/GettyImages-600697856.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A help desk technician smiles at someone on a video call in their home office.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4UaATRqX3UwczK2ZMceubi/de753dbf6fe7f34d13a60820f1cbc72d/GettyImages-866364156_2.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Person looking up IT certifications in cafe](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2HiGQXVEyhpEwQrtdX0GZW/db1d1fc7c078d977a9b68856d47306de/iStock-964372340.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
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Skills you'll gain: IT Security Architecture, Computer Networking, Operating System Administration, Package and Software Management, Network Troubleshooting, Version Control, IT Automation, Systems Administration, IT Infrastructure, Network Administration, Information Systems Security, TCP/IP, Git (Version Control System), Chef (Configuration Management Tool), Network Security, General Networking, Ruby (Programming Language), Computer Hardware, Web Presence, Interviewing Skills
Skills you'll gain: Package and Software Management, Computer Hardware, Technical Support, Software Installation, General Networking, Technical Documentation, Customer Support, Computer Networking, Information Technology, Technical Writing, Technical Communication, Linux
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Skills you'll gain: Computer Hardware, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Authorization (Computing), Cloud Services, Computer Networking, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, General Networking, Microsoft Teams, Authentications, Firewall, Hardening, Network Architecture, Data Storage, Productivity Software, Data Security, Security Controls, Multi-Factor Authentication, Technical Communication, Cloud Computing, Network Protocols
![[Featured image] An IT technician assists a fellow employee with their laptop.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4EB4kpgOghmmQVDmeZ8tQC/14ca1000fb7dbe8d39d5bfb12b3040f2/IT_technician-converted-from-png.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] IT worker checks on systems at workplace](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1RKcjMSTLUe00FgXm8HE79/12cc169d4b253dcf74cc5b3206d26f69/iStock-950514452-converted-from-jpg__1_.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: An IT professional works at a computer after learning how to get IT certifications to qualify for a new job.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1325ETF1UHYm1hcGvdx4zk/5d15f2a46ffd4635e4ab539d857bd18d/GettyImages-2156162213.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A person sitting in a cafe, looking up IT certifications on their laptop.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/DOg9EFuhsjFFcMD8fPsAe/b14e1ea69fec34cd25da7f64f41303d6/iStock-1148394694.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Person looking up what IT skills are necessary to get a job in IT](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6FqSpao40EgPnbwD5sZBqg/3c44c55c72f9d1c52c1e4bbf27f4b5d9/iStock-523821384.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featued image] A person in a green plaid button-down shirt sits in a chair and searches for IT jobs on a laptop.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/DZInDrz47gFkHHI1DSXTL/c511dcb0e6cd8903287aa48f519bb86d/GettyImages-1222547509.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A tattooed computer technician works at a dual-screen workstation in an office with windows behind them.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2m36IMfY8jqq9aGRcdBJhB/2e9e6b4fdd7ca6cd5568d8ebc446bc8a/computer-technician-1500x680.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] IT support technician studies for popular IT certifications](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/IH8KGUruMALbSeBEnxWuN/655bf213f38c6f35f5f7762a31897ee4/enty-level-IT_1500x680.JPG?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
IT support specialists with the skills to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues efficiently are crucial in every organization. Embarking on a career in IT support offers the opportunity to apply your problem-solving abilities and technical expertise, making a tangible difference in user experiences and operational success. Explore our free resources as you start your IT career:
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