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Digital Technology · Information Technology (IT) Support & Services

Computer support specialist: certifications, associate's degree or college courses

Network support specialists typically need an associate's degree and user support specialists some college courses, but either may qualify with a high school diploma plus IT certifications. Many move on to network, security or software jobs.

For: Patient people who like fixing computer problems and explaining the fix to people who are not technical; some jobs mean nights or weekends.

See the roadmap Computer Support Specialist guide

Route 1: High school diploma + IT certifications Fastest start

Computer user support jobs need some computer knowledge but not necessarily a college degree.

  1. Start here

    High school diploma

    BLS
    Computer Support Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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  2. Courses

    Courses in networking, server administration or information security

    Applicants who have taken courses in these areas may qualify for user support jobs.

    BLS
    Computer Support Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
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    20 Oct 2026
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  3. Exam gate

    CompTIA A+ (Core 1 and Core 2)

    A vendor-neutral certification: two exams, in any order. CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on IT support experience for Core 1.

    CompTIA
    CompTIA A+ (Core 1 and Core 2)CompTIA
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    20 Oct 2026
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  4. Goal

    Computer user support specialist

    Companies may require certifications in the products they use.

    BLS
    Computer Support Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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Route 2: Associate's degree → network support Network support

Employers may accept an associate's degree for computer network support specialists; some prefer a bachelor's.

  1. Start here

    High school diploma

    BLS
    Computer Support Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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  2. About 2 years

    Associate's degree

    More technical positions are likely to require a degree in a field such as computer and information technology or engineering.

    BLS
    Computer Support Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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  3. Exam gate

    CompTIA Network+

    CompTIA recommends A+ and 9 to 12 months as a junior network administrator or network support technician first.

    CompTIA
    CompTIA Network+ (V9): exam detailsCompTIA
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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  4. Goal

    Computer network support specialist

    BLS
    Computer Support Specialists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
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    20 Oct 2026
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Route 3: From the help desk to other IT jobs Next steps

Many computer support specialists advance to other information technology positions.

  1. Start here

    Computer support specialist

    Keep studying: technology changes throughout a career.

    BLS
    Computer Support Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. Move up

    Network and computer systems administrator

    BLS
    Computer Support Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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    Network administrator

  3. Goal

    Information security analyst, software developer or support manager

    BLS
    Computer Support Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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    Security analyst roadmap

Licenses, registrations and certifications

Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.

CompTIA A+
CompTIA · Voluntary
Two exams (Core 1: hardware and networking; Core 2: operating systems and security). Core 1 (V15): up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, passing score 675 on a 900-point scale.
CompTIA
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (V15): exam detailsCompTIA
Checked
20 Oct 2026
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CompTIA Network+
CompTIA · Voluntary
One exam (N10-009): up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, passing score 720 on a 100–900 scale.
CompTIA
CompTIA Network+ (V9): exam detailsCompTIA
Checked
20 Oct 2026
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Product certifications
Software and hardware vendors · Employer may require
Companies may require their support specialists to hold certifications in the products the companies use.
BLS
Computer Support Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
Checked
20 Oct 2026
View source
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Back to the full Computer Support Specialist guide

What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.

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Every step links to the official page it came from (regulators, licensing boards, the law), checked 20 Oct 2026. State and city licensing rules change: confirm with the board where you will work before you pay any fee. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses. All careers →