CompTIA Tech+ vs ITF+: What’s Changed and Is It Worth It?
CompTIA has introduced the new CompTIA Tech+ certification, designed to update and replace the soon-to-be-retired CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) accreditation. This cert is primarily for entry-level personnel considering a position in information technology—but is it right for you?
In this article, we’ll take a look at CompTIA Tech+, who should consider the certification, what it takes to earn, and how the CompTIA Tech+ compares vs. the CompTIA ITF+.
Introducing: The CompTIA Tech+ Certification
The CompTIA Tech+ certification was introduced in late 2024, replacing the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+), which will be retired in mid-2025. When CompTIA designed the CompTIA Tech+, they wanted a certification focused on the practical aspects of fundamental and emerging IT topics, such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.
CompTIA Tech+ vs. CompTIA ITF+: What’s Changed
The new CompTIA Tech+ recognizes that not just IT personnel need practical IT skills in today’s information-driven world! Individuals working in fields such as finance, retail, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing often work in technology-rich workplaces.
The CompTIA ITF+ was for individuals with little or no IT knowledge and certified that they had a basic understanding of common IT concepts. On the other hand, the new CompTIA Tech+ is intended for those pursuing a career in IT, or for individuals who need a solid technical foundation for their ‘tech-adjacent’ work. In both cases, the CompTIA Tech+ assures employers that holders possess a level of practical, hands-on knowledge related to current IT infrastructure and emerging technologies.
CompTIA Tech+ covers a wider range of topics than the former CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification. These topics include hardware peripherals and devices, cloud computing and virtualization, advanced networking, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI). CompTIA Tech+ also has more practical aspects, such as configuring equipment and troubleshooting.
Who Should Consider the CompTIA Tech+ Cert?
CompTIA Tech+ is a foundational-level CompTIA certification designed primarily for junior IT professionals. If you are in an entry-level IT role with up to 12 months of experience, then CompTIA Tech+ is a valuable way to validate your skills. However, junior-level IT employees are not the only people who can benefit from CompTIA Tech+ training and certification.
Students and people in non-IT jobs who are considering a career in IT, should also consider this CompTIA certification to ‘test drive’ an IT job and validate their functional capabilities. As a successful CompTIA Tech+ candidate, you understand core IT concepts and know how to:
Set up and manage computers, mobile devices, and basic networks
Code basic programs
Configure operating systems and perform system updates
Use cybersecurity to protect data and networks
Troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues
And there are other potential candidates for the CompTIA Tech+ certification! The US Government projects that IT jobs will be among the fastest growing over the next ten years. And over 70% of employers see technology as a primary factor in achieving their business objectives. So if you are considering a move into IT, or you’re in a ‘tech adjacent’ field and work closely with technology, then consider CompTIA Tech+ to gain tech literacy for your work.
Jobs You Can Get with CompTIA Tech+
The CompTIA Tech+ certification provides the basis for entry-level IT roles such as help desk support, help desk technician, associate network engineer, data support technician, desktop support administrator, and others.
Earning the CompTIA Tech+ Certification
The CompTIA Tech+ certification exam (FC0-U71) is a 75-question, multiple-choice exam administered from a Pearson VUE Test Center. The test takes up to 60 minutes and requires a passing grade of 650 on a scale of 100 to 900. This CompTIA exam costs $129, and vouchers can be purchased on the CompTIA site.
What the CompTIA Tech+ Exam Covers
The CompTIA Tech+ certification exam covers essential skills related to tasks that junior IT professionals and tech-adjacent users perform. This CompTIA exam has questions that are spread across six domains, as follows:
IT Concepts and Terminology (14%): Core IT concepts
Infrastructure (22%): Setting up computers, devices, and networks
Applications and Software (18%): Operation of applications and operating systems
Software Development Concepts (14%): Writing basic code and programs
Data and Database Fundamentals (14%): Data and database management
Security (18%): Cybersecurity best practices for data and privacy protection
Preparing for the CompTIA Tech+ Exam
CompTIA recommends that to prepare for the CompTIA Tech+ certification exam, candidates should:
Create a study plan
Learn the material
Get exam-ready
A really easy way to do this is by taking CBT Nuggets' new CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) Online Training. This self-paced training includes a free CompTIA Tech+ Study Guide that provides a step-by-step approach to learning and practicing the materials tested in the CompTIA Tech+ certification exam. The CompTIA Tech+ study guide sets out a plan—spread over 13 weeks—for you to watch and learn from the 37 hours of videos in this training.
The training course includes free access to hands-on labs and quizzes that will reinforce your learning. It also provides you access to CompTIA-official CyberVista® IT practice exams so that you can test your knowledge in a live exam environment. That way, you can be sure that you are ‘exam-ready’ before you spend your CompTIA Tech+ certification exam voucher.
Is CompTIA Tech+ Worth it?
As CompTIA Tech+ is a relatively new certification, it’s not as well-known as CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+. These are industry-recognized credentials for employers looking for system support and network admin hires. They are also more rigorous certifications for early career IT pros than CompTIA Tech+, and both demand a significantly higher investment in time and money.
With that said, if you are new to IT or looking to enhance your tech skills for your business or operational role, then Tech+ provides an excellent introduction to all things computing.
Want to get started? Try out our new CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) Online Training! You can watch the first video segment for free and then sign up for a free 7-day trial.
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