Certification Directory
This directory is organized by the tech lane each certification opens, rather than by provider — most people arrive at a certification decision after they've already picked a direction. Simplilearn is our disclosed affiliate partner; every other certification below is covered editorially. See our Transparency page for the full list of paid relationships.
IT support / help desk
| Certification | Prerequisites | Typical prep time | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | None | Several weeks of part-time study | Editorial only |
| Google IT Support Professional Certificate | None | A few months at a few hours per week, self-paced | Editorial only |
| CompTIA Network+ | A+ or equivalent hands-on IT experience recommended | 4–6 weeks part-time | Editorial only |
| ITIL Foundation | None | 2–4 weeks part-time | Editorial only |
See the full comparison: Best IT Support Certifications.
Cybersecurity
| Certification | Prerequisites | Typical prep time | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Security+ | Baseline IT knowledge recommended (A+/Network+) | A few weeks to a couple months | Editorial only |
| Google Cybersecurity Certificate | None | A few months, self-paced | Editorial only |
| (ISC)² SSCP | 1 year of cumulative paid work experience in a relevant domain (or a related degree substitutes) | A few weeks of exam prep on top of the experience requirement | Editorial only |
See the full comparison: Best Cybersecurity Certifications.
Cloud
| Certification | Prerequisites | Typical prep time | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner | None | 2–6 weeks part-time | Editorial only |
| Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | None | A few weeks part-time | Editorial only |
| Google Cloud Digital Leader | None | 2–4 weeks part-time | Editorial only |
See the full comparison: Best Cloud Certifications.
Data & analytics
| Certification | Prerequisites | Typical prep time | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Data Analytics Certificate | None | A few months, self-paced | Editorial only |
| Simplilearn data & analytics tracks | Varies by course | Varies by course | Affiliate partner |
| Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate | None required, though spreadsheet familiarity helps | 4–8 weeks part-time | Editorial only |
| Tableau Desktop Specialist | None | 3–5 weeks part-time | Editorial only |
See the full comparison: Best Data Certifications.
Project management & business systems
| Certification | Prerequisites | Typical prep time | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce Administrator Certification | None required, though hands-on Salesforce exposure helps | A few weeks to a couple months | Editorial only |
| Simplilearn project management tracks | Varies by course | Varies by course | Affiliate partner |
Not sure which lane fits before picking a certification? Start with IT Support vs. Cybersecurity vs. Data.
Want a plan built for your exact situation?
This page covers the general case. The Pathway Finder takes your background, your target lane, and what you can actually spend, then gives you the full sequence — which certifications, in what order, a real cost range, a timeline, and a straight answer on whether a bootcamp is worth it at your budget.
Independent research on bootcamps, certifications, and tech career transitions. See our Transparency page for how we're compensated. This page is general information, not professional advice — see our full Disclaimer.