What Is CompTIA Network+ Certification?

Key takeaways

A CompTIA Network+ certification equips you with computer networking knowledge and skills to help you prepare for a range of careers. 

• Earning a CompTIA A+ certification and having at least nine months of hands-on networking experience can help you prepare to earn the CompTIA Network+ certification.

• By earning this certification, you can learn how to formulate network designs, set up network devices, use switches and routers for network traffic, and resolve network challenges.

• You can prepare for a career as a network administrator, network field technician, or network field engineer with the CompTIA Network+ certification.

Learn more about how CompTIA Network+ certification can help strengthen your understanding of networking concepts. If you’re ready to develop your information technology (IT) skills, consider enrolling in the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. You’ll have the chance to learn day-to-day IT support tasks necessary for entry-level jobs in as little as three months. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career credential that you can share with potential employers.

What is CompTIA Network+ certification? 

The CompTIA Network+ certification is an IT assessment that validates your foundational networking knowledge. It is the sole industry certification that covers both wired and wireless networks and helps you become proficient in managing networks across any platform. More importantly, CompTIA Network+ certification establishes the vital groundwork you'll need before delving into a specialized network solution from a specific vendor.

*Note: The current CompTIA Network+ exam is N10-009, which was released in January 2025.

1. Who offers CompTIA Network+ certification?

CompTIA, or the Computing Technology Industry Association, provides vendor-neutral Network+ IT certifications. The institution also offers a range of training choices for CompTIA Network+ to suit your unique learning preferences. You can combine many of these options to support your exam preparation efforts.

2. What are the prerequisites?

Although no strict prerequisites exist for pursuing the Network+ Certification, CompTIA suggests first attaining a CompTIA A+ certification. Building at least nine months of hands-on networking experience or relevant education is also helpful.

3. How much is the CompTIA Network+ exam?

The examination fee for the CompTIA Network+ is $390, according to November 2025 pricing [1]. You may purchase your CompTIA Network+ voucher, a code enabling you to sign up for your exam, from the CompTIA store. Additionally, CompTIA offers bundle options that include extras like a voucher to retake the exam and access to preparatory resources.

Who should consider the CompTIA Network+ exam?

Consider taking the CompTIA Network+ exam if you want to pursue any of the following job roles:

• Junior network administrator

• Network administrator

• Network field technician

• Network field engineer

• Network support specialist

• Network analyst

• IT consultant

• Computer technician

• Help desk technician

• System engineer

Read more: 10 Essential IT Certifications

Is the CompTIA Network+ exam hard?

CompTIA Network+ is a challenging exam, but with the right preparation, you can be successful. The difficulty of the exam is a personal determination dependent on your IT knowledge, skills, and experience. If you’re just starting out, you may want to earn the CompTIA A+ certification first or review online training material to prepare you for the Network+ certification exam.

What skills will I learn?

Through CompTIA Network+, you will develop proficiency in network fundamentals, implementation strategies, operation procedures, security protocols, and troubleshooting techniques. All of these are vital to:

• Formulate and implement network designs

• Set up, administer, and uphold network devices

• Partition network traffic through switches and routers

• Recognize the merits and demerits of existing network configurations

• Resolve network challenges

Is CompTIA Network+ worth it? Benefits of being CompTIA Network+ certified

Becoming CompTIA Network+ certified can help you qualify for IT roles and stand out among other job candidates when applying for positions. Certified professionals also tend to perform better on the job than those who are not. Some notable perks of being CompTIA Network+ certified include becoming competitive with industry-standard skills and having the opportunity to maintain updated skills. Below, you can explore these perks in greater detail. 

Achieving industry-standard skills

Certifications validate your ability to take on complex tasks and responsibilities. Specifically, CompTIA Network+ sets the industry benchmark for entering the IT field and is the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operations roles. Renowned companies such as Apple, Best Buy, Verizon, and federal agencies such as the United States Department of Defense prioritize the CompTIA Network+ certification when hiring.

Continued learning 

Your CompTIA Network+ certification remains valid for three years from the date of your exam. To extend this certification, you can participate in CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program, which enables you to renew your certification in three-year cycles by engaging in activities and training aligned with the content of your certification. CompTIA Network+ CE, like CompTIA Network+, possesses the esteemed and internationally acknowledged ISO/ANSI accreditation.

What is on the exam?

You will have 90 minutes to complete the CompTIA Network+ exam, which consists of a maximum of 90 questions. These questions encompass a variety of formats, including multiple-choice and performance-based questions. The performance-based questions evaluate your network troubleshooting skills within simulated environments. To successfully pass the exam, you’ll need a minimum score of 720 out of 900 [1]. The exam questions will measure your ability to:

• Deploy wired and wireless devices to connect networks.

• Comprehend virtual networking, network services purposes, data center essentials, and cloud concepts.

• Maintain network documentation and understand its importance.

• Take responsibility for network infrastructure configuration, management, and troubleshooting.

• Deploy techniques in network hardening.

• Monitor the efficiency of network activity.

How do I get ready?

The CompTIA Network+ certification is available in English, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese. You can choose to take the exam either at a Pearson VUE-approved testing center or online. If you're a member of the US military, you may have the chance to take the CompTIA Network+ exam at a testing center located on your military base.

The following steps can help you prepare for your main exam effectively:

1. Know the ins and outs of the exam: Understand the objectives of the CompTIA Network+ certification, including exam question types and content areas. You could even consider taking a performance-based questions trial to assess your strengths and weaknesses. 

2. Use self-study resources: Utilize CompTIA's self-study guide, which includes a range of learning resources to help you prepare for the final exam. You can complement the study guide with CompTIA CertMaster Learn, which features a personalized learning plan. 

3. Practice with sample questions: You can download practice questions from the CompTIA Network+ product page to get familiar with the exam format. Regular preparation will help you become comfortable with various question formats. 

How does CompTIA Network+ affect my salary?

According to Payscale, individuals with a CompTIA Network+ certification in the US earn an average base salary of $81,000 [2]. Additionally, here are some careers tied to CompTIA Network+ and their median total pay, as reported by Glassdoor:

• Systems engineer: $146,000 [3]

• Network engineer: $123,000 [4]

• Network analyst: $109,000 [5]

• IT consultant: $111,000 [6] 

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of November 2025. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

CompTIA Network+ vs. CCNA: What’s the difference? 

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is an associate-level networking certification offered by Cisco. The critical differences between CompTIA Network+ and CCNA are:

• Scope: CompTIA Network+ is vendor-neutral, encompassing networking technologies from diverse vendors. However, CCNA concentrates exclusively on Cisco networking products.

• Skills: CompTIA Network+ includes technical and select business skills, while CCNA primarily focuses on technical skills.

• Exam duration: The CompTIA Network+ exam lasts 90 minutes, while the CCNA exam grants candidates 120 minutes.

Find resources to help prepare you for your career 

Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat, to stay up-to-date with career tips and tricks. Then, explore these resources as you prepare for a career in IT:

• Bookmark this page: Information Technology (IT) Terms: A to Z Glossary

• Read an insider story: Meet the IT Support Tech Advancing Toward a Cybersecurity Career

• Watch on YouTube: What Does an IT Support Specialist Do? - Technical Support Fundamentals from Grow with Google #3

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