CCNA vs CompTIA Network+: Which Certification to Get First

If you are working in IT and want to move into a networking role, two certifications come up in almost every conversation: the Cisco CCNA and the CompTIA Network+. Both cover networking fundamentals. Both carry weight with employers. And both get compared constantly by people trying to figure out which one to pursue first.

The answer depends on where you are in your career right now and what kind of role you want next.

What Each Certification Covers

CompTIA Network+ is a vendor-neutral certification that tests your knowledge of core networking concepts. It covers network infrastructure, network operations, network security, troubleshooting, and tools. The exam code is N10-009 (current version as of 2026).

Network+ does not tie you to any specific vendor or platform. You learn how networks work in general — TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing protocols, wireless standards, and more. The goal is to demonstrate that you understand networking well enough to work in any environment.

Cisco CCNA is a vendor-specific certification tied to Cisco networking products. It covers similar foundational networking topics but goes deeper into Cisco-specific technologies: IOS command-line interface, Cisco routing and switching, OSPF, ACLs, VLANs, NAT, and increasingly, automation and programmability concepts. The current exam is the 200-301 CCNA.

The CCNA proves you can operate Cisco equipment in a real network environment. Most enterprise networks in Canada and globally run on Cisco gear, which gives the CCNA a strong foothold in the market.

How They Differ in Depth and Difficulty

Network+ is designed as an entry point. CompTIA recommends that candidates have the CompTIA A+ or nine months of networking experience before sitting the exam. The content is broad rather than deep, and the exam format mixes multiple choice with performance-based questions.

The CCNA is harder. Cisco recommends one year or more of experience with Cisco networks before attempting it. The exam is longer, the questions are more scenario-based, and you need to know how to apply configuration knowledge — not just recall definitions.

That gap in difficulty is meaningful. If you have limited hands-on networking experience, Network+ gives you a more realistic path to a first pass. If you already work around networks and want a credential that signals real technical depth, the CCNA gets you there faster.

What Employers Are Looking For

Both certifications appear on networking job postings, but they tend to signal different things to hiring managers.

Network+ is common in help desk, technical support, and junior IT generalist roles. If you are applying for roles where networking is one part of a broader job function, Network+ is often sufficient and sometimes preferred.

CCNA appears more frequently in dedicated networking roles: network administrator, network technician, systems administrator with a networking focus, and roles in organizations where Cisco infrastructure is standard. The Government of Canada Job Bank shows consistent demand for network administrators and network engineers across Canada, and many of those postings reference Cisco experience directly or list CCNA as a preferred qualification.

If your target role involves managing or supporting Cisco infrastructure — which describes a large share of enterprise IT environments in Canada — the CCNA carries more weight.

The Case for Network+ First

Network+ makes sense as your first choice if you are early in your IT career and still building foundational knowledge. Network+ covers the concepts you need before moving into more advanced certifications, and it fills knowledge gaps without assuming you have worked directly with specific vendor equipment.

It also fits well if you are in a support or helpdesk role and want to move into broader IT infrastructure work. Network+ positions you for that transition without requiring deep Cisco-specific experience you do not have yet.

Many candidates complete Network+ first, then pursue CCNA once they have more exposure to networking environments. The overlap between the two certifications means Network+ study reinforces what you will need for CCNA.

The Case for Going Straight to CCNA

CCNA makes sense as your first choice if you already work in an IT environment where you have some exposure to Cisco equipment or networking concepts. The CCNA is more demanding, but if you have that foundation, skipping Network+ is reasonable.

If your target role is explicitly in networking — network administrator or network engineer — the CCNA is the more direct credential. Getting there faster matters when you are already positioned to benefit from it.

The CCNA also signals depth rather than breadth. It tells an employer you can operate Cisco networks at a technical level. That specificity has value for roles where Cisco skills are directly required.

View Cisco certification training at Ultimate IT Courses

Can You Hold Both?

Yes — and many networking professionals do. The certifications serve different purposes. Network+ demonstrates vendor-neutral fundamentals and counts toward broader IT certification prerequisites. CCNA demonstrates hands-on Cisco proficiency.

Holding both is not redundant. Some employers in government, healthcare, and enterprise IT see value in candidates who combine vendor-neutral knowledge with Cisco-specific depth. If you pursue Network+ first and then CCNA, you build your networking knowledge progressively rather than attempting the harder exam with less preparation.

Maintenance and Recertification

Both certifications require renewal. CompTIA Network+ must be renewed every three years through continuing education or retaking the exam. The CCNA must be renewed every three years as well, either by retaking the 200-301 CCNA or by passing a higher-level Cisco exam.

This maintenance requirement is worth factoring into your decision. Both certifications represent ongoing commitments, not one-time credentials. Review the current exam objectives on the Cisco CCNA certification page before you start your study plan.

Which One to Choose

If you are new to networking and want a structured, achievable first certification, start with Network+. It gives you the foundational vocabulary and concepts you need, and it is a realistic goal with months — not years — of focused preparation.

If you already have networking exposure and your target roles require Cisco skills, go directly to the CCNA. The harder path pays off faster when you are already positioned to benefit from it.

Either way, pairing your certification study with instructor-led training gives you structured coverage of the exam objectives and access to hands-on practice that self-study alone does not replicate.

View CompTIA certification training at Ultimate IT Courses

View networking training courses at Ultimate IT Courses

For a personalized certification roadmap based on where you are in your IT career, contact the Ultimate IT Courses team.