CompTIA A+ (V15)
Issued by CompTIA. Below is what it costs, how long it lasts, and what it actually signals — with the date we checked.
CompTIA A+ (V15)
CompTIA · Core 1: 220-1201 / Core 2: 220-1202
Free to learn · paid certificate Recognized
| Cost | $530 $265 per core, two cores required. Price varies by region — verify at comptia.org before you buy. |
|---|---|
| Validity | 3 years from passing Core 2. |
| Renewal | Continuing-education programme at about $25/yr ($75 per 3-year cycle), or renew automatically by earning a higher CompTIA certificate such as Network+. |
| Assessment | Proctored exam, includes performance-based questions |
| Proctored | Yes |
| Verify via | Credly |
| Cost per active year | $202/yr(530 + 75) ÷ 3 |
Widely named in entry IT support postings and the standard first rung of the CompTIA ladder.
A price-conflict flag was raised and resolved: the lower figure was stale, not a genuine disagreement. Regional variance is real, so check the official page before purchase.
Verified 2026-07-25 · Official page
How we know
Re-checked 2026-07-25. $530 confirmed as the current figure across totalsem.com and stationx.net; an older $506 figure from one regional source was not corroborated and is not used.
Last verified 2026-07-25 · https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/a/core-1-and-2-v15/
Free preparation
Free resources first. Everything below is free to use; the exam itself is the paid part.
Professor Messer A+ 220-1201 (Core 1) full video course
Free to learn · no certificate
Complete Core 1 course. The course is free; the certificate exam is a separate paid purchase.
Verified 2026-07-25
Professor Messer A+ 220-1202 (Core 2) full video course
Free to learn · no certificate
Complete Core 2 course, same terms.
Verified 2026-07-25
Professor Messer study-group replays and pop quizzes
Free to learn · no certificate
Ongoing practice against real exam-style questions.
Verified 2026-07-25
Used by these roles
- Help Desk / IT Support — You are the person who fixes it when someone's computer, login or printer stops working.