Which IT Certification Should You Take First in 2026?
The most common question from people entering IT is which certification to take first. The honest answer is that it depends on which direction you are heading, and there are only four sensible starting points.
Start with A+ if you have no IT experience at all
Hardware, operating systems, troubleshooting, basic networking and security. Two exams, 220-1201 and 220-1202, both required.
A+ is the credential helpdesk and desktop support roles ask for by name. It is not glamorous and experienced people are dismissive of it, but if you have never worked in IT it is the one that gets you a first job.
The honest caveat: if you already work in IT in any capacity, skip it. It will teach you little and employers will not weight it.
Start with Network+ if you are heading toward infrastructure
Network+ N10-009 covers the fundamentals that everything else assumes. Subnetting, protocols, topologies, troubleshooting.
Worth knowing that most people find it harder than Security+ despite its position in the stack. Subnetting under time pressure catches people out.
If you are certain about networking specifically, some people go straight to CCNA instead. It is harder and vendor-specific, but more respected in networking roles.
Start with Security+ if you are heading toward security
Security+ SY0-701 is the most-requested entry security credential and it is on the DoD 8140 approved list, which makes it a hard requirement for a lot of government and contractor work.
You can take it without Network+ first, though the networking domains will be harder if you do.
Start with a cloud fundamentals exam if you are heading toward cloud
AZ-900 or CLF-C02, depending on which provider dominates hiring where you live.
Both are genuinely approachable and both lead somewhere: AZ-900 to AZ-104, CLF-C02 to SAA-C03. Those associate-level exams are where the job listings actually are.
What not to do
Do not start with CISSP. It requires five years of experience and you will not qualify.
Do not collect fundamentals certifications. AZ-900, CLF-C02 and Cloud Essentials+ all prove roughly the same thing. One is a starting point, three is a signal that you have not started.
Do not pick based on salary surveys. The highest-paying certifications are all expert level and none of them are a first step.
The order that works for most people
One foundational credential, then a job, then the associate-level credential for whatever you actually end up doing. Experience plus one relevant certification beats three certifications and no experience, every time.
If you are unsure which direction to pick, our stacking guide maps each track end to end.
Whichever you choose, we cover it. Try a free sample first, or browse all 150+ sets.