Introduction

10 Most Valuable IT Certifications

1. CompTIA A+

• Certification name: CompTIA A+
• Certification name abbreviation: A+
• Governing organization - name: CompTIA
• Governing organization - website: https://www.comptia.org
• Short description of certification: CompTIA A+ is the industry-standard certification to launch a tech career. It requires passing two exams: Core 1 and Core 2 (V15 version). Core 1 focuses on hardware, networking, mobile devices, and troubleshooting. It prepares for roles like IT support specialist and help desk technician, building knowledge for advanced certifications.
• Prerequisites (if any) for certification: None. But 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support role is recommended.
• Certification exam – cost: Total cost for the two exams varies by location and other factors. The average total combined cost is $492
• Certification exam – delivery (in-person or online): in-person or online
• Certification exam – number of questions: Core 1 exam has 90 questions, Core 2 exam also has 90 questions
• Certification exam – time to complete it: 90 minutes for Core 1 exam, and 90 minutes for Core 2 exam
• Certification exam – minimum pass rate (X% or higher correct required to pass exam): Passing score of 675 (on a scale of 900) for Core 1 (update Core 2 similarly if confirmed; estimated pass rate ~75-80%).
• Certification expiration – does it expire? Yes
• Certification expiration – how long does it last before expiring? 3 years
• Certification renewal cost: $75

2. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• Certification name: Cisco Certified Network Associate
• Certification name abbreviation: CCNA
• Governing organization - name: Cisco
• Governing organization - website: https://www.cisco.com
• Short description of certification: Validates knowledge and skills in network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, automation, programmability, and more. Demonstrates a broad range of fundamentals for latest networking technologies, software development skills, and job roles.
• Prerequisites (if any) for certification: None. However, recommend 1+ years of experience implementing and administering Cisco solutions.
• Certification exam – cost: $300
• Certification exam – delivery (in-person or online): In-person or online
• Certification exam – number of questions: Varies, between 50-75 questions
• Certification exam – time to complete it: 120 minutes
• Certification exam – minimum pass rate (X% or higher correct required to pass exam): Estimated to be 80%
• Certification expiration – does it expire? Yes
• Certification expiration – how long does it last before expiring? 3 years
• Certification renewal cost: $150

3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• Certification name: Certified Information Systems Security Professional
• Certification name abbreviation: CISSP
• Governing organization - name: (ISC)²
• Governing organization - website: https://www.isc2.org
• Short description of certification: The CISSP is a highly respective, vendor-neutral certification that validates a broad understanding of information security and best practices.
• Prerequisites (if any) for certification: At least five years of paid, full time work experience involving two or more (of the eight) domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK)
• Certification exam - cost: $749, although the cost may vary by location and other factors
• Certification exam - delivery (in-person or online): In-person at a Pearson VUE testing center
• Certification exam - number of questions: Between 125-175 questions
• Certification exam - time to complete it: 3 hours (for Computerized Adaptive Testing format, which is standard; linear format is 4 hours but less common).
• Certification exam - minimum pass rate (X% or higher correct required to pass exam): Estimated to be 70%
• Certification expiration - does it expire? Yes
• Certification expiration - how long does it last before expiring? 3 years
• Certification renewal cost: $135 (annual maintenance fee).

4. Project Management Professional (PMP)

• Certification name: Project Management Professional
• Certification name abbreviation: PMP
• Governing organization - name: Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Governing organization - website: https://www.pmi.org/
• Short description of certification: The PMP certification acknowledges skills in managing people, processes, and business priorities of professional projects. It proves project leadership expertise in any way of working (predictive, hybrid, or agile) and demonstrates ability to lead projects without ties to specific industries or locations.
• Prerequisites (if any) for certification: Set A, B, or C. Set A: High school diploma + 60 months experience + 35 hours education. Set B: Bachelor's + 36 months experience + 35 hours education. Set C: Bachelor's from GAC-accredited program + 24 months experience + 35 hours education.
• Certification exam - cost: $405 for members of the PMI, $575 for those not a member of the PMI
• Certification exam - delivery (in-person or online): In-person at Pearson VUE or online.
• Certification exam - number of questions: 180 questions (5 unscored pretest, 175 scored)
• Certification exam - time to complete it: 230 minutes
• Certification exam - minimum pass rate (X% or higher correct required to pass exam): Estimated to be 81%
• Certification expiration - does it expire? Yes
• Certification expiration - how long does it last before expiring? 3 years
• Certification renewal cost: $150

5. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• Certification name: Certified Ethical Hacker
• Certification name abbreviation: CEH
• Governing organization - name: EC-Council
• Governing organization - website: https://www.eccouncil.org
• Short description of certification: World’s No.1 ethical hacking certification, now with AI power. The evolved version 13 includes 20 modules covering 550+ attack techniques, providing core knowledge for cybersecurity professionals.
• Prerequisites (if any) for certification: None. But strongly recommend 2+ years IT security experience or official training. Knowledge of computing systems, networks, and IT topics needed.
• Certification exam - cost: $1,199, can vary based on registration options and other factors
• Certification exam - delivery (in-person or online): Online via ECC exam portal (knowledge); practical via iLabs Cyber Range.
• Certification exam - number of questions: 125
• Certification exam - time to complete it: 4 hours (knowledge exam); 6 hours (practical exam).
• Certification exam - minimum pass rate (X% or higher correct required to pass exam): Estimated to be 70%
• Certification expiration - does it expire? Yes
• Certification expiration - how long does it last before expiring? 3 years
• Certification renewal cost: $85. But cost may vary.

6. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (AWS SA)

• Certification name: AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
• Certification name abbreviation: AWS SA
• Governing organization - name: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Governing organization - website: http://aws.amazon.com
• Short description of certification: Validates technical knowledge and skills across AWS services, focused on designing cost- and performance-optimized solutions. Ideal for those with AWS or strong on-premises IT experience; familiarity with basic programming concepts is advantageous but no deep coding required.
• Prerequisites (if any) for certification: None. But recommended 1+ year hands-on experience designing AWS cloud solutions. (Beginners may benefit from AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner first.)
• Certification exam - cost: $150
• Certification exam - delivery (in-person or online): In-person or online
• Certification exam - number of questions: 65 questions
• Certification exam - time to complete it: 130 minutes
• Certification exam - minimum pass rate (X% or higher correct required to pass exam): Estimated to be 70%
• Certification expiration - does it expire? Yes
• Certification expiration - how long does it last before expiring? 3 years
• Certification renewal cost: $75

7. Azure Administrator Associate

• Certification name: Azure Administrator Associate
• Certification name abbreviation: There isn't an abbreviation designated. AZ-104 (the corresponding exam code for the certification) is sometimes used as an identifier.
• Governing organization - name: Microsoft
• Governing organization - website: https://learn.microsoft.com
• Short description of certification: Demonstrates key skills to configure, manage, secure, and administer professional functions in Microsoft Azure, including virtual networks, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance.
• Prerequisites (if any) for certification: None. But subject matter expertise in Azure environment management recommended. Knowledge of OS, networking, servers, virtualization, PowerShell, Azure CLI, portal, ARM templates, and Microsoft Entra ID is needed.
• Certification exam - cost: $165
• Certification exam - delivery (in-person or online): In-person or online proctored
• Certification exam - number of questions: Varies, typically between 40-60 questions
• Certification exam - time to complete it: 100 minutes
• Certification exam - minimum pass rate (X% or higher correct required to pass exam): Estimated to be 70%
• Certification expiration - does it expire? Yes
• Certification expiration - how long does it last before expiring? 1 year
• Certification renewal cost: Free renewal

8. Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect (GCP Architect)

• Certification name: Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect
• Certification name abbreviation: GCP Architect
• Governing organization - name: Google
• Governing organization - website: https://cloud.google.com
• Short description of certification: Demonstrates ability to leverage Google Cloud technologies for robust, secure, scalable, efficient, cost-effective solutions that drive business objectives. Proficient in enterprise strategy, solution design, migration, optimization, and best practices, including the Google Cloud Well-Architected Framework.
• Prerequisites (if any) for certification: None. Recommended 3+ years industry experience, including 1+ years designing/managing Google Cloud solutions.
• Certification exam - cost: $200
• Certification exam - delivery (in-person or online): Online-proctored or onsite at testing center.
• Certification exam - number of questions: 50-60 questions
• Certification exam - time to complete it: 120 minutes
• Certification exam - minimum pass rate (X% or higher correct required to pass exam): Estimated to be 70%
• Certification expiration - does it expire? Yes
• Certification expiration - how long does it last before expiring? 2 years
• Certification renewal cost: $100

9. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

• Certification name: Certified ScrumMaster
• Certification name abbreviation: CSM
• Governing organization - name: Scrum Alliance
• Governing organization - website: https://www.scrumalliance.org
• Short description of certification: Introductory course covering the Scrum framework, team accountabilities, events, and artifacts; equips knowledge to guide teams in applying Scrum and understanding agile principles/values.
• Prerequisites (if any) for certification: Completion of a two-day course by an authorized trainer
• Certification exam - cost: Course includes exam; prices range from $250-$2,495 (varies by trainer, region, format, market).
• Certification exam - delivery (in-person or online): Online
• Certification exam - number of questions: 50
• Certification exam - time to complete it: 1 hour
• Certification exam - minimum pass rate (X% or higher correct required to pass exam): 37 out of 50 questions (74%)
• Certification expiration - does it expire? Yes
• Certification expiration - how long does it last before expiring? 2 years
• Certification renewal cost: $100

10. Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist (CAIS)

• Certification name: Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist
• Certification name abbreviation: CAIS
• Governing organization - name: United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII)
• Governing organization - website: https://www.usaii.org
• Short description of certification: Sophisticated certification for senior AI professionals and business leaders to develop AI solutions/strategies for organizational change and transformation. Programming skills not mandatory.
• Prerequisites (if any) for certification: Three eligibility paths: Path 1: Bachelor's + 5 years in AI/ML/Data Science/etc. Path 2: Master's + 4 years in AI/ML/etc. Path 3: CAIC or equivalent + 4 years (Bachelor's) or 3 years (Master's). Completion of self-paced course.
• Certification exam - cost: $1,195 (all-inclusive for program and exam).
• Certification exam - delivery (in-person or online): Self-paced with eLearning, workshops, hands-on videos, study books.
• Certification exam - number of questions: Not specified
• Certification exam - time to complete it: Program takes 4-25 weeks (8-10 hours/week); exam time not specified.
• Certification exam - minimum pass rate (X% or higher correct required to pass exam): Not specified
• Certification expiration - does it expire? Yes
• Certification expiration - how long does it last before expiring? 3 years
• Certification renewal cost: $249

Conclusion

References/Sources:

About Scott M. Graffius

• Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions, his first book, earned 17 awards.
• Agile Transformation: A Brief Story of How an Entertainment Company Developed New Capabilities and Unlocked Business Agility to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change, his second book, was named one of the best Scrum books of all time by BookAuthority.
• Agile Protocol: The Transformation Ultimatum, his third book and his first work of fiction, was released in April 2025. The book trailer is on YouTube.

• Adobe,
• American Management Association,
• Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute,
• Bayer,
• BMC Software,
• Boston University,
• Broadcom,
• Cisco,
• Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Germany,
• Computer Weekly,
• Constructor University - Germany,
• Data Governance Success,
• Deimos Aerospace,
• DevOps Institute,
• Dropbox,
• EU's European Commission,
• Ford Motor Company,
• Gartner,
• GoDaddy,
• Harvard Medical School,
• Hasso Plattner Institute - Germany,
• IEEE,
• Innovation Project Management,
• Johns Hopkins University,
• Journal of Neurosurgery,
• Lam Research (Semiconductors),
• Leadership Worthy,
• Life Sciences Trainers and Educators Network,
• London South Bank University,
• Microsoft,
• MSN,
• NASSCOM,
• National Academy of Sciences,
• New Zealand Government,
• Oracle,
• Pinterest Inc.,
• Project Management Institute,
• Mary Raum (Professor of National Security Affairs, United States Naval War College),
• SANS Institute,
• SBG Neumark - Germany,
• Singapore Institute of Technology,
• Torrens University - Australia,
• TBS Switzerland,
• Tufts University,
• UC San Diego,
• UK Sports Institute,
• University of Galway - Ireland,
• US Department of Energy,
• US National Park Service,
• US Soccer,
• US Tennis Association,
• Verizon,
• Wrike,
• Yale University,
• and many others.

• Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures—Second Edition.
• A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge—Sixth Edition.
• The Standard for Program Management—Fourth Edition.
• The Practice Standard for Project Estimating—Second Edition.

• Certified SAFe 6 Agilist (SA),
• Certified Scrum Professional - ScrumMaster (CSP-SM),
• Certified Scrum Professional - Product Owner (CSP-PO),
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM),
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO),
• Project Management Professional (PMP),
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB), and
• IT Service Management Foundation (ITIL).

• Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions — Deliver Products in Short Cycles with Rapid Adaptation to Change, Fast Time-to-Market, and Continuous Improvement
• Agile Transformation: A Brief Story of How an Entertainment Company Developed New Capabilities and Unlocked Business Agility to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change
• Agile Protocol: The Transformation Ultimatum

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Tags and Hashtags

• CompTIA A+
• Cisco CCNA
• CISSP Security
• PMP Project Management Professional
• Certified Ethical Hacker
• AWS Solutions Architect
• Azure Administrator
• Google Cloud Architect
• Certified ScrumMaster
• AI Scientist Certification
• Valuable IT Certifications

• #CompTIA
• #CCNA
• #CISSP
• #PMP
• #CEH
• #AWSCertified
• #AzureCertification
• #GoogleCloud
• #CSM
• #AICertification
• #ITCertifications

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Tags: CompTIA A+ • Cisco CCNA • Valuable IT Certifications • AI Scientist Certification • Certified ScrumMaster • Google Cloud Architect • Azure Administrator • AWS Solutions Architect • Certified Ethical Hacker • CISSP Security • PMP Project Management Professional