Every “best IT certifications for beginners” list says CompTIA A+. They’re right. The ranking is less interesting than the follow-up question nobody answers: how do you pay for it when you don’t have an IT income yet?
The exam alone is $239 — and that’s before any study materials. For someone trying to break into IT from an unrelated job or unemployment, that’s a real barrier. Here’s how to navigate both the question of which certs matter and the question of what they actually cost you.
Start with A+. There’s no debate worth having.
CompTIA A+ is the most widely recognized entry-level IT credential in the U.S. In Texas, it shows up in roughly 80% of help desk and IT support postings. It’s two exams — Core 1 (hardware, networking basics, mobile) and Core 2 (operating systems, security, troubleshooting) — each 90 minutes and scored out of 900. You need both to earn the certification.
The reason A+ works for beginners isn’t just that it’s recognized. It’s that the content is genuinely foundational — the concepts you learn preparing for it come up constantly in real IT work. You’re not memorizing trivia. You’re building a mental model of how computers and networks function, which transfers into every IT role above it.
Where to go after A+
That depends on where you want to work. If you’re targeting cybersecurity or DoD-adjacent roles in Texas — which includes a significant chunk of San Antonio’s government IT market — get Security+ next. It satisfies the DoD 8570 requirement that unlocks roles civilians without it simply can’t apply for. If you’re targeting networking or systems administration, Network+ builds directly on A+ content. If you already have a job and want to move toward cloud, AWS Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft AZ-900 are the natural next steps.
Security+ in Texas isn’t just a good certification — it’s a key that opens a specific door. Government contractors, federal agencies, and defense-adjacent employers in San Antonio require it. Nobody else has it at the entry level. That gap is leverage.
The free part — and why it’s real
In Texas, through Infotech Academy’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program, CompTIA certification training and exam vouchers are covered by DOL and TWC grant funding. That means the $239-per-exam cost, the training curriculum, and the instruction are all covered — if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Those criteria aren’t extreme. Unemployed, underemployed, below income thresholds, or working in a field you’re leaving — these are the situations the grant was designed for. Many Texas residents qualify without realizing it.
The certification is the first door. In Texas, getting through that door without paying out of pocket is a real option. The eligibility check at infotechacademy.online/pap takes a few minutes and tells you whether you qualify for this cohort.