Do You Need A+ Before Taking Network+?

No, A+ is not a prerequisite for Network+. CompTIA does not enforce any certification order. You can take Network+ as your first CompTIA certification if networking is your primary career interest. However, CompTIA recommends having A+ knowledge or 9-12 months of IT experience before attempting Network+.

Starting with A+ is beneficial if you are completely new to IT. A+ builds foundational knowledge about hardware, operating systems, and basic networking that makes Network+ concepts easier to grasp. Topics like IP addressing, DNS, DHCP, and basic troubleshooting appear on both exams, so A+ serves as a natural stepping stone.

Skip A+ and go straight to Network+ if you already have hands-on IT experience, a tech-related degree, or strong self-taught knowledge. Many career changers who already understand basic computing concepts successfully jump to Network+ without A+. The time and money saved (skipping two A+ exams at $358 each) can be significant.