ComTIA A+

For good reason, the CompTIA certification has been called a "entry-level rite of passage for IT specialists." People looking to work as help desk, support, service center, or networking technicians should get this qualification. It addresses PC and laptop hardware, software setup, and mobile and desktop operating system settings. A+ also evaluates a candidate's knowledge of fundamental networking, troubleshooting, and security techniques, which act as a stepping stone to other organizations' or CompTIA's networking and security certifications.

More than a million IT professionals have earned the certification, according to CompTIA. The U.S. Department of Defense accepts the A+, which is a prerequisite for service technicians working for Dell, Intel, and HP