CompTIA Tech+

[Vin Ng]

I am seeking your valued advice and insights regarding a matter related to teaching CompTIA courses.

As an experienced instructor who holds relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+, PenTest+, and CySA+, I am wondering if it is necessary for me to obtain the CompTIA Tech+ certification to formally teach courses like CompTIA Security+, PenTest+, or CySA+.

 

[Stephen Schneiter]

Short answer is NO! CompTIA Tech+ is an entry level certification to understand what technology is and how we work with it. Tech+ is replacing the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certifications and comes before A+ on the certification pathway. You can read more about it here if you want to see what domains are covered in the exam. Do you need to have it to teach higher level certs? No! Should you take it in order to have all the CompTIA certifications? Yes! ?

Hope this helps.

 

[Tess Sluijter]

Short answer is NO!

Wait, hang on. Is it not a requirement of CompTIA's that every sanctioned / partnered trainer that teaches curriculum X also holds a valid certificate X?

Now, if it's about teaching at a school or a commercial vendor without claiming CompTIA-affiliation I understand the answer could be "no" (it's up to the vendor's discretion). But I though CompTIA requires it of trainers who teach under their name.

EDIT:
See also this discussion -> https://cin.comptia.org/threads/are...o-be-certified-in-the-course-they-teach.1767/

 

[Rick Butler]

Wait, hang on. Is it not a requirement of CompTIA's that every sanctioned / partnered trainer that teaches curriculum X also holds a valid certificate X?

Actually, no it is not. CompTIA has never required instructors or providers to have certifications for the things that they teach. It's suggested that folks have them - but that onus comes from credibility. In other words, it doesn't look good for a school/training center to have uncertified people teaching. But CompTIA has never, in the over ten years of our being a partner, ever checked this or required it.

Now, for the instructors that teach FOR CompTIA as instructors, not partners, but actually paid/contracted by CompTIA, I can certainly see that. @BrianFord is one and can assuredly validate it. And I know for the TTT's that I've done, I was asked to be certified before delivering the content. But that's CompTIA, itself, only.

/r

 

[Gregory Childers]

As an Adjunct Instructor for CompTIA, I can verify that they do require that I hold the current version of the certification before I can teach a class.

Which means, if I want to teach the new PenTest+ when it goes live I have to pass the exam first, even though I am already PenTest+ certified.

 

[Stephen Schneiter]

Wait, hang on. Is it not a requirement of CompTIA's that every sanctioned / partnered trainer that teaches curriculum X also holds a valid certificate X?

If I am reading the original question correctly, @DongDuongICT was asking if he needed to have the Tech+ in order to teach a Security+, PenTest+ or CySA+ courses. The answer is no.

 

[Rick Butler]

As an Adjunct Instructor for CompTIA, I can verify that they do require that I hold the current version of the certification before I can teach a class.

Which means, if I want to teach the new PenTest+ when it goes live I have to pass the exam first, even though I am already PenTest+ certified.

And that would make perfect sense, particularly for CompTIA branded adjuncts. Thank you for comfirming.

But like before, it does come down to the individual institution. If they are willing to take a CCNA, for example, and put them up to teach Net+, I probably would have no problem with the content, albeit Cisco heavy - they'd know the necessary material for Net+.

But there is that credibility-in-the-eye-of-the-learner thing that sort of compels folks to get certified in what they teach...

 

[Gregory Childers]

But there is that credibility-in-the-eye-of-the-learner thing that sort of compels folks to get certified in what they teach...

The only certification class I teach where I do not have the certification is PMI's PMP. I do hold the CAPM and Project+. I have also led multiple projects.

I have not led enough projects over time to meet the experience requirement from PMI to be eligible to take the PMP.

I could probably pass it on the first attempt, but I'm not allowed to take it until I get the required experience.

 

[Tess Sluijter]

Actually, no it is not. CompTIA has never required instructors or providers to have certifications for the things that they teach. ... ... ...

Now, for the instructors that teach FOR CompTIA as instructors, not partners, but actually paid/contracted by CompTIA, I can certainly see that.

Thanks for your clarifications!

 

[Rick Butler]

The only certification class I teach where I do not have the certification is PMI's PMP. I do hold the CAPM and Project+. I have also led multiple projects.

I have not led enough projects over time to meet the experience requirement from PMI to be eligible to take the PMP.

I could probably pass it on the first attempt, but I'm not allowed to take it until I get the required experience.

Yeah, I get that. I'm not sure if I'd take it, myself, even though I am leading projects as well.

Maybe some personal projects you can lead...build a neighborhood full of birdhouses or something...lol

 

[btechpr]

for the first question, the answer is no!

 

[Patrick Dickey]

And that would make perfect sense, particularly for CompTIA branded adjuncts. Thank you for comfirming.

But like before, it does come down to the individual institution. If they are willing to take a CCNA, for example, and put them up to teach Net+, I probably would have no problem with the content, albeit Cisco heavy - they'd know the necessary material for Net+.

But there is that credibility-in-the-eye-of-the-learner thing that sort of compels folks to get certified in what they teach...

I, somewhat, fall into the example you gave. The courses that I took (and our college mainly offers) are geared towards the CCNA. It helped a lot in taking the Net+ certification test. Until I took Net+, I wasn't "certified" except as a Cisco Instructor for their Networking 1 course. I teach for a community college, and while we are not required to have the certifications, I do agree with your last statement. That is partially why I chose to start getting my Net+, Sec+, and will be working on the Python certifications too. If I'm teaching the material, I feel that I should have something to back me up. (Also because I'm looking for full-time work in IT).

Have a great weekend.
Patrick.

 

[Rick Butler]

I, somewhat, fall into the example you gave. The courses that I took (and our college mainly offers) are geared towards the CCNA. It helped a lot in taking the Net+ certification test. Until I took Net+, I wasn't "certified" except as a Cisco Instructor for their Networking 1 course. I teach for a community college, and while we are not required to have the certifications, I do agree with your last statement. That is partially why I chose to start getting my Net+, Sec+, and will be working on the Python certifications too. If I'm teaching the material, I feel that I should have something to back me up. (Also because I'm looking for full-time work in IT).

Have a great weekend.
Patrick.

That is really what it comes down to - having skills, yes definitely important. But the creds also can create the atmosphere of trust from the get-go. When a student walks into a learning environment, they have no idea what that instructor knows or doesn't know; there's no way to create that air of trust apart from the credential. Once the skills meet or exceed the credential, the student gains the appreciation for it and wants to achieve it for themselves.

At least this is how I like to see it.

/r