For a first remote IT job in Canada – usually help desk or IT support – CompTIA A+ is the certification employers name most often, and the Google IT Support Certificate is a cheaper, slower way to learn the same ground. After that, Network+, Security+, Microsoft AZ-900 and AWS Cloud Practitioner point toward networking, security and cloud support. This comparison shows what each certifies, what it costs and which one to take first.
Which certification first? A quick pick
- No IT experience, want a help desk job: CompTIA A+. If you’d rather learn first at low cost, start with the Google IT Support Certificate and take A+ afterwards.
- Some IT experience, want to move into networking or systems: CompTIA Network+.
- Aiming for security roles: CompTIA Security+ – after Network+ or a year or two of IT work, not as a first step.
- Support roles at companies that run on Microsoft 365 and Azure: Microsoft AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) as a short add-on.
- Cloud support or a path toward cloud engineering on AWS: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner as the entry point.
A certificate opens doors for interviews; it doesn’t replace hands-on proof. Our guide to remote tech jobs in Canada explains the roles, and the article on remote IT help desk jobs shows what that first job looks like day to day.
The certifications compared
| Certification | Proves | Exams | List price (USD) | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | Hardware, operating systems, troubleshooting, basic networking and security | 2 (Core 1 and Core 2) | $274 per exam | 3 years, renewable |
| Google IT Support Certificate | The same fundamentals, through a self-paced course on Coursera | Course assessments, no proctored exam | Coursera subscription, commonly $49 per month | Does not expire |
| CompTIA Network+ | Network design, configuration and troubleshooting | 1 | $399 | 3 years, renewable |
| CompTIA Security+ | Security concepts, threats, identity and access, incident response | 1 | $439 | 3 years, renewable |
| Microsoft AZ-900 | Cloud concepts and Azure services | 1 | $99 | Fundamentals certifications don’t expire |
| AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner | Cloud concepts, AWS services, billing and security basics | 1 | $100 | 3 years |
Updated: November 2026. Prices are the vendors’ US-dollar list prices; CompTIA raised its exam prices in mid-2026. Checkout in Canada may show a price in Canadian dollars plus sales tax, and retakes cost the full price again. Check the official CompTIA, Microsoft, AWS and Coursera pages before you buy, and watch for discounts through schools, employers and training programs.
CompTIA A+: the help desk standard
A+ is what many help desk and desktop support ads in Canada ask for by name. It covers the everyday work of a remote support technician: setting up and troubleshooting Windows and other operating systems, mobile devices, printers, basic networking, and security practices such as account permissions and malware removal.
- Two exams: you need both Core 1 and Core 2 to be certified, so budget for two vouchers.
- Study time: commonly two to four months part-time if you are new to IT.
- Online or in person: exams can be taken online with a proctor watching through your webcam, or at a test centre.
Google IT Support Certificate: low cost, self-paced
The Google certificate is a series of online courses on Coursera, designed for beginners. Google estimates about six months at around ten hours a week. Because you pay per month, finishing faster costs less. It teaches well, but employers recognise it less than A+ as a credential. A practical route is to use it to learn, then take A+ to prove it.
Funding: Google has offered scholarships for this certificate in Canada through partners such as NPower Canada, and some public libraries and employment programs provide free access. Ask your local employment services centre before you pay.
Network+, Security+ and the cloud basics
Network+ is the logical second step for people who enjoy the networking part of support – VPNs, Wi-Fi, firewalls, DNS. Security+ is widely known in security job ads, but it builds on networking knowledge; taking it with no IT background usually means a lot of memorising without understanding.
AZ-900 and AWS Cloud Practitioner are short, conceptual exams. They show an employer that you understand cloud services and billing, which helps in support roles at companies running on Azure or AWS. They are not technical deep dives; the associate-level certifications come next if you want to work in cloud administration.
What gets you hired besides the certificate
- A home lab: a virtual machine with Windows Server or Linux, a small network, a documented fix. Write down what you did – that becomes interview material.
- Written communication: remote support happens in tickets and chat. Clear, friendly writing is tested in many hiring processes.
- Customer service experience: retail, call centre or hospitality work counts. Many IT support careers start in customer support.
- A portfolio: for developer-leaning roles, see our article on a developer portfolio for remote jobs.
Watch out for “guaranteed job” bootcamps that cost thousands of dollars. Check reviews, ask for verifiable placement data, and compare the price with the exam fees above – the official certification itself costs a few hundred dollars.
Common questions
Is CompTIA A+ worth it in Canada?
For entry-level help desk and desktop support roles, yes – it is one of the certifications Canadian ads name most often. For developer or data roles it matters little.
Can I get a remote IT job with only a certificate?
It’s possible but harder than with some experience. Many people start in an on-site or hybrid support role, or in customer support, and move to remote work after a year.
Are the exams available in French?
Several CompTIA, Microsoft and AWS exams are offered in multiple languages; check the current language list on the exam page before you book.
Do certifications expire?
CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ are valid for three years and can be renewed with continuing education. AWS certifications last three years. Microsoft fundamentals certifications such as AZ-900 don’t expire.
More on this topic: our guide Remote Tech Jobs in Canada: Developer, IT and Data Careers puts this article in context.
