The CompTIA Career Pathways

The CompTIA Career Pathways follow a hierarchy of skills needed for a career in infrastructure, cybersecurity,
or data and analytics; each certification builds upon the skills from the previous one. CompTIA certifications
reflect the current job roles of IT professionals, so it makes sense for learners to earn certifications and gain
the knowledge and hands-on skills currently being used in the workforce.

CompTIA
pathway to jobs Coming in 2025

Infrastructure
Certification Pathways

Rebranding from
ITF+ to Tech+
August 2024

Rebranding from
Cybersecurity CASP+ to SecurityX
Certification Pathways November 2024

Professional
Certifications

Data & Analytics Launching June 2024

Certification Pathways

Pre-professional Entry-level Early career Experienced Expert

(Expanded ITF+ program)

Infrastructure Pathway Cybersecurity Pathway Data and Analytics Pathway

IT infrastructure is the The CompTIA Cybersecurity The Data and Analytics
bedrock of IT operations Career Pathway helps Pathway helps professionals
and necessary for any technical specialists achieve learn to store, manage, and
business to function. cybersecurity mastery, from secure data where it can be
beginning to end. reviewed and analyzed.
CompTIA CERTIFICATION PORTFOLIO
CERTIFICATION COMPETENCIES JOB ROLES MORE INFO

DATA

• Mining data • Data Analyst Questions: Max 90

• Manipulating data • Business Intelligence Analyst Length: 90 minutes
• Visualizing and reporting data • Reporting Analyst
• Applying basic statistical methods • Marketing Analyst
• Analyzing complex datasets while adhering to governance • Clinical Analyst
and quality standards throughout the entire data life cycle • Business Data Analyst
• Operations Analyst

• Compare and contrast database structure types • Database Administrator Questions: Max 90
• Explain database implementation, • Task-Oriented Database Length: 90 minutes
testing, and deployment phases Administrator
• Explain the purpose of monitoring and reporting • Application Database
for database management and performance Administrator
• Explain data security concepts as well as the purpose • Cloud Database
of governance and regulatory compliance Administrator
• Explain the importance of disaster recovery and • Database Manager
restore best practices and processes. • Database Designer

• Understand and implement data science • Data Scientist Questions: 90

operations and processes. • Quantitative Analyst Length: 165 minutes
• Apply mathematical and statistical methods appropriately and • Machine Learning
understand the importance of data processing and cleaning, Engineer/ Specialist
statistical modeling, linear algebra and calculus concepts. • Computer & Information
• Apply machine-learning models and Research Scientist
understand deep-learning concepts.
• Utilize appropriate analysis and modeling methods
and make justified model recommendations.
• Demonstrate understanding of industry trends
and specialized data science applications.

CORE CERTIFICATIONS

• Install software • Sales Associate Questions: Max 75

• Establish basic network connectivity • Account Manager Length: 60 minutes
• Identify/prevent basic security risks • Marketing Specialist
• Explain troubleshooting theory and • Customer Support
preventative maintenance of devices

• Install and configure end-user devices and software • IT Support Specialist Two Exams
• Connect devices to networks • Helpdesk Technician Questions: Max 90 each
A+ • Perform basic cybersecurity mitigations • Field Technician Length: 90 minutes each
• Troubleshoot common problems to • Tier I Support Specialist
diagnose and resolve issues • Desktop Support Specialist
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of scripting, • Associate Network Engineer
the cloud, and virtualization • Systems Support Technician
• Junior Systems Administrator
 CompTIA CERTIFICATION PORTFOLIO
CERTIFICATION COMPETENCIES JOB ROLES MORE INFO

• Implement enterprise-level wired and • Junior Network Administrator Questions: Max 90

wireless network solutions • Datacenter Support Technician Length: 90 minutes
• Identify and troubleshoot network performance issues • Network Engineer
• Harden networks against threats to • System Administrator
mitigate security vulnerabilities • NOC Technician
• Telecommunications Technician
• Cable Technician

• Assess the security posture of an enterprise • Security Specialist Questions: Max 90

environment and recommend and implement • Security Administrator Length: 90 minutes
appropriate security solutions • Systems Administrator
• Monitor and secure hybrid environments, including cloud, • Help Desk Analyst
mobile, Internet of Things (IoT), and operational technology • Security Analyst
• Operate with an awareness of applicable • Security Engineer
regulations and policies, including principles
of governance, risk, and compliance
• Identify, analyze, and respond to
security events and incidents

INFRASTRUCTURE CAREER PATHWAY

• Configure and manage software, storage • Linux Administrator Questions: Max 90

and process and services • Junior Cloud Engineer Length: 90 minutes
• Understand best practices for permissions and • Junior DevOps Support Engineer
authentication, firewalls, and file management • Technical Support Specialist
• Create simple shell scripts and execute • Systems Administrator
basic BASH scripts, version control using • Network Administrator
Git, and orchestration processes • Web Administrator/ Developer
• Analyze system properties and processes and • Cybersecurity Engineer
troubleshoot user, application and hardware issues • Linux Engineer

• Install, configure, and manage server • Systems Administrator Questions: Max 90

hardware and server operating systems • Data Center Technician Length: 90 minutes
• Implement proper server hardening and security controls • Server Administrator
• Successfully troubleshoot common server problems • Network Administrator
• Demonstrate an understanding of key disaster • Field Service Technician or Engineer
recovery, high availability, and backup concepts • IT Technician
• Data Center Engineer

• Understand cloud architecture and design • Sr. Systems Administrator Questions: Max 90
• Deploy cloud services and solutions • Systems Engineer Length: 90 minutes
• Successfully maintain, secure, and • Cloud Engineer
optimize a cloud environment • Sr. Network Administrator
• Troubleshoot common issues related to cloud management • Sr. Network Engineer
• Cloud Specialist
• Cloud Project Manager
CYBERSECURITY CAREER PATHWAY

• Plan and scope a penetration testing engagement • Penetration Tester Questions: Max 85
• Understand legal and compliance requirements • Security Consultant Length: 165 minutes
• Perform vulnerability scanning and penetration • Cloud Penetration Tester
testing using appropriate tools and • Web App Penetration Tester
techniques, and then analyze the results • Cloud Security Specialist
• Produce a written report containing proposed remediation • Network & Security Specialist
techniques, effectively communicate results to the • Information Security Engineer
management team, and provide practical recommendations • Security Analyst
 CompTIA CERTIFICATION PORTFOLIO
CERTIFICATION COMPETENCIES JOB ROLES MORE INFO

• Leverage intelligence and threat detection techniques • Security analyst Questions: Max 85
• Analyze and interpret data • Threat intelligence analyst Length: 165 minutes
• Identify and address vulnerabilities • Security engineer
• Suggest preventative measures • Application security analyst
• Effectively respond to and recover from incidents • Compliance analyst
• Threat hunter

• Architect, engineer, integrate, and implement • Security Architect Questions: Max 90

secure solutions across complex environments • Senior Security Engineer Length: 165 minutes
to support a resilient enterprise • SOC Manager
• Use monitoring, detection, incident response, • Security Analyst
automation to proactively support ongoing security • IT Cybersecurity Specialist/
operations in an enterprise environment INFOSEC Specialist
• Apply security practices to cloud, on-premises, • Cyber Risk Analyst
endpoint, and mobile infrastructure, while considering
cryptographic technologies and techniques
• Consider the impact of governance, risk, and
compliance requirements throughout the enterprise

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

• Summarize the properties of project, phases, schedules, • IT Support Manager Questions: Max 90
roles and responsibilities, and cost controls, as well as • Project Coordinator Length: 90 minutes
identifying the basic aspects of Agile methodology • Business Analyst
• Predict the impact of various constraint variables • IT Project Manager
and influences through-out the project and explain • IT Manager
the importance of risk strategies and activities
• Understand appropriate communication
methods of influence and use change control
processes within the context of a project
• Compare and contrast various project management tools
and analyze project and partner-centric documentation

• Explain cloud principles, identify cloud • Business Development staff Questions: Max 75
networking concepts and storage techniques, that sell cloud services Length: 60 minutes
and understand cloud design aspects • Technical Sales Specialist
• Comprehend the financial aspects of engaging a • Business Analysts
cloud provider, as well as the business aspects of • Business Process Owners
managing vendor relations in cloud adoptions • Technical Support Staff
• Explain aspects of operating within the cloud, such
as data management, availability, and monitoring
• Understand how DevOps plays a role in cloud
environments, such as with provisioning or API integration
• Understand risk management concepts related
to cloud services and identify the importance
and impacts of compliance in the cloud
LEARN MORE ABOUT STACKABLE CERTIFICATIONS
Stackable certifications demonstrate multiple CompTIA certifications have been earned and the certification holder has the knowledge
and experience needed to grow in their IT career. Stackable certifications validate the skills of various IT roles and show a deeper mastery,
opening up more job opportunities.

CompTIA Stackable Certifications follow the two CompTIA Career Pathways:

• CompTIA Infrastructure Career Pathway
• CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway

CompTIA Stackable Certifications are categorized by experience level and certifications earned:
• Specialist: Early-career IT professionals with 0–2 years of experience
• Professional: Mid-level IT professionals with 2–5 years of experience
• Expert: Established IT professionals with more than 5 years of experience

STACKABLE CERTIFICATIONS

Infrastructure Career Pathway Cybersecurity Career Pathway

Specialist Specialist

CompTIA IT Operations Specialist CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist

(A+ / Network+) (A+ / Network+ / Security+)

Professional
CompTIA Systems Support Specialist
(A+ / Linux+)
CompTIA Secure Cloud Professional
(Security+ / Cloud+)
Professional

CompTIA Cloud Admin Professional CompTIA Security Analytics Professional

(Network+ / Cloud+) (Security+ / CySA+)

CompTIA Network Infrastructure Professional CompTIA Network Vulnerability

(Network+ / Server+) Assessment Professional
(Security+ / PenTest+)

CompTIA Linux Network Professional CompTIA Network Security Professional

(Network+ / Linux+) (Security+ / PenTest+ / CySA+)

Expert

CompTIA Security Analytics Expert

(Security+ / CySA+ / CASP+)

CompTIA Security Infrastructure Expert

(Security+ / CySA+ / PenTest+ / CASP+)

Learn more at Certification.CompTIA.org

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