The Network+ cert costs $369 to sit. The average network administrator earns $72,000–$90,000 a year. Most candidates study for 2–3 months before passing. Those three numbers tell you most of what you need to decide whether to pursue it — but there's more nuance worth understanding before you register.
This guide covers everything about CompTIA Network+ certification: what the exam actually tests, whether it's worth the time and money, how long it takes to prepare, and which courses give you the best shot at passing on your first attempt.
What the Network+ Cert Actually Tests
The current exam version is N10-009 (released June 2024), replacing the older N10-008. If you've been studying from older materials, check what version they cover. The domains have shifted meaningfully.
N10-009 breaks into five domains:
- Networking Fundamentals (23%): OSI model, TCP/IP, ports and protocols, Ethernet, switching, routing concepts, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing.
- Network Implementations (20%): Routing technologies, WAN connectivity, wireless standards (802.11), virtualization, and cloud networking.
- Network Operations (17%): Documentation, monitoring tools, SNMP, NTP, bandwidth management, disaster recovery concepts.
- Network Security (20%): Zero trust, CIA triad, common attacks (MitM, DoS, VLAN hopping), firewalls, IDS/IPS, endpoint security.
- Network Troubleshooting (20%): The troubleshooting methodology, cable issues, network connectivity problems, wireless interference, and tool usage (Wireshark, ping, traceroute, nmap).
The exam is 90 questions maximum (multiple choice + performance-based), 90 minutes, passing score of 720 out of 900. Performance-based questions (PBQs) simulate real network scenarios — drag-and-drop topology, configure a router, match a protocol to a port. They're harder than the multiple choice and come first in the exam.
How N10-009 Differs From N10-008
The new exam puts noticeably more emphasis on cloud and hybrid networking, zero trust architecture, and IPv6. If you're using N10-008 study materials (still widely available), you'll find most content still applies — the core networking concepts don't change — but you'll have gaps in cloud networking and the updated security domains. CompTIA retired N10-008 in December 2024, so any exam you book now will be N10-009.
Is the Network+ Cert Worth It in 2026?
Whether it's "worth it" depends on where you're starting from and what you're trying to land.
When Network+ makes sense
- You're at help desk / Tier 1 support and want to move into a network administrator or systems administrator role. Network+ is the clearest credential signal for that transition.
- You need DoD 8140 compliance. Network+ satisfies the IAT Level 1 and IASAE Level 1 baseline requirements for government and defense IT contracts. Without it, you're disqualified from a large subset of government work regardless of experience.
- You have CompTIA A+ and want to continue the A+ → Network+ → Security+ pathway before specializing.
- You're earlier than 5 years into IT and lack formal credentials. For job applications, Network+ signals that you know subnetting, VLANs, routing protocols, and troubleshooting methodology — things employers can't easily verify from a resume description alone.
When it probably isn't worth it
- You already have CCNA. Cisco's CCNA covers everything in Network+ and much more deeply. There's no reason to add Network+ afterward — recruiters know this.
- You've been working as a network engineer for 5+ years. At that point, the cert validates knowledge you already have and won't change your salary or job prospects meaningfully.
- You're targeting cloud roles directly. AWS, Azure, or GCP certifications are more relevant for cloud networking positions and are what hiring managers actually filter on.
Salary data worth knowing
CompTIA's own salary data puts Network+ holders at a median of $68,000, but that number skews low because it includes entry-level and government-minimum roles. BLS data for network and computer systems administrators shows a median of $90,520 with strong job growth projected through 2032. The cert alone won't get you to that number — experience matters — but it often unlocks the first job that puts you on that path.
How Long Does It Take to Study for Network+?
For someone new to networking: plan for 60–90 hours of study spread over 2–3 months. For someone coming from an A+ or equivalent support background: 30–50 hours is realistic.
The biggest time sink for most people is subnetting. Binary math, CIDR notation, wildcard masks, and calculating usable hosts per subnet trip up candidates who rush past it. Budget a full week just for subnetting practice until it's automatic.
A reasonable study structure:
- Weeks 1–3: Video course covering all domains. Don't skip the boring parts (OSI model, cable types) — they show up on the exam.
- Weeks 4–5: Subnetting drills and protocol/port memorization. Use spaced repetition flashcards.
- Week 6: Practice exams — target 80%+ consistently before booking the real thing. Use at least 2 different practice test banks.
- Final days: Review wrong answers only, read the CompTIA exam objectives document, skim performance-based question walkthroughs on YouTube.
Top Courses to Prepare for the Network+ Cert
Most candidates use a combination of a structured video course for domain coverage and a separate practice test bank for exam readiness. Below are the best options from reputable platforms:
Fundamentals of Network Communication (Coursera)
A solid foundation course covering the core protocols, packet structure, and network communication models that underpin roughly a third of the Network+ exam — particularly useful if OSI layers, TCP/UDP, and addressing aren't yet intuitive to you.
Networking in Google Cloud: Fundamentals (Coursera)
Cloud networking now represents a meaningful portion of the N10-009 exam domains. This course covers VPC design, firewall rules, load balancing, and hybrid connectivity — concepts the older N10-008 study materials barely touched, but that you'll see on the current exam.
Exam Day: Practical Tips
A few things that aren't in most study guides but matter on test day:
- Answer performance-based questions first, then flag and move on. PBQs appear at the start of the exam. Don't spend more than 3–4 minutes on one — flag it, answer what you can, return at the end.
- Know your acronyms cold. The exam uses acronyms without expansion. If you're not certain what OSPF, STP, LACP, or EIGRP stand for and do, you'll lose easy points.
- Read troubleshooting questions twice. Many are scenario-based with a twist in the last sentence. "A user can browse the internet but cannot access internal file shares" is a different problem than "A user cannot access the internet OR internal shares."
- You can take it remotely via Pearson VUE's OnVUE system. The check-in process takes 15–20 minutes — don't start with 5 minutes to spare. Test your environment the day before.
FAQ
What's the difference between Network+ and CCNA?
CCNA is Cisco-specific and considerably harder — it goes deep on IOS configuration, BGP, OSPF, and Cisco-proprietary technologies. Network+ is vendor-neutral and broader but shallower. Most people do Network+ first, then specialize with CCNA if they're going into network engineering specifically.
Does Network+ expire?
Yes. The Network+ cert is valid for 3 years. You renew by earning 30 CEUs (continuing education units) through training, teaching, or additional certifications — or by passing the current exam again. CompTIA's CertMaster CE is an online course that satisfies the renewal requirement.
Is Network+ harder than A+?
Most candidates find it harder. A+ tests breadth across hardware, software, and operating systems. Network+ goes deeper on one domain — networking — but requires more abstract thinking around protocols, subnetting, and troubleshooting scenarios that don't have a physical component you can see.
Can I skip A+ and go straight to Network+?
Yes. A+ is not a prerequisite — CompTIA recommends it but doesn't require it. If you have some IT experience or a strong understanding of how computers work, you can study directly for Network+. Many candidates do exactly this.
How many times can I retake the exam?
If you fail, you can retake immediately. If you fail a second time, you must wait 14 days between each subsequent attempt. There's no limit on total attempts, but each attempt costs the full exam fee (~$369 USD at list price — training partners often offer discounts of 10–20%).
Does Network+ qualify for DoD 8140?
Yes. Network+ (N10-009) is approved under DoD 8140 for IAT Level 1 and IASAE Level 1 roles. This makes it a hard requirement for many government IT contractor positions regardless of your experience level.
Bottom Line
The Network+ cert is worth pursuing if you're in the first five years of an IT career, need DoD 8140 compliance, or are making a move from help desk into network administration. It's a genuine credential that signals foundational networking knowledge — not a rubber stamp.
It's probably not worth your time if you already hold CCNA, have five or more years of hands-on networking experience, or are targeting cloud-native roles where AWS/Azure/GCP certifications carry more weight with hiring managers.
If you're ready to start studying, begin with a solid networking fundamentals course to build your mental model of how data moves across networks, then layer in subnetting practice and performance-based question prep as you get closer to your exam date. Budget 2–3 months for a thorough preparation, and don't book the exam until you're consistently scoring above 80% on practice tests.