Certifications can be a powerful tool to show employers you know your stuff. However, not all certifications are created equal.

We've compiled a list of the most common certifications for desktop support specialists. Not only will obtaining these certifications give you a leg up for job hunting, they will also increase your overall value.

10 Best Desktop Support Specialist Certifications

1. Security 5 Certification

The Security5 Certification is the entry level for anyone interested in learning computer networking and security basics. The Security5 program gives individuals basic networking literacy skills to begin high-end IT programs.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying Organization
EC-Council

2. Certified Network Computer Technician (CNCT)

Certified Network Computer Technicians are expected to obtain knowledge of computer electronics basic concepts, Internet and networking technology applicable to various areas of the computer industry. Once the CNCT has acquired these skills, abilities and knowledge, he or she will be able to enter employment in any part of the computer industry. With minimal training in areas unique to the specific products, the CNCT should become a profitable and efficient part of the computer industry workforce.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 4 year(s)
Certifying Organization
ETA International

3. Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)

Boost your IT support career with unmatched validation as a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST). This credential proves your ability to successfully troubleshoot desktop environments that run on the Microsoft Windows operating system. It also shows you have the necessary soft skills to educate users and help them solve hardware and software operation and application problems on Windows.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? No
Certifying Organization
Microsoft Corporation
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
70-685: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician for Windows 7
udemy
4.1
(100)

4. Certified Instrumentation Specialist (CIS)

Technology changes. Standards update. Instrumentation evolves. The learning curve for Central Service professionals is steep and ever-changing, and the demands placed on them ever-growing. To help professionals stay abreast of rapidly changing medical technology, IAHCSMM offers the Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) exam, which tests knowledge and recognition of medical instruments, as well as reviewing instrumentation practice skills. The CIS exam will test your proficiency in the identification and cleaning of medical instruments, and upon completing and passing the exam you will hold the designation of Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS).

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)

5. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

CCNA certification is the first level of Cisco Career certification and indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge of networking. CCNA certified professionals can install, configure, and operate LAN, WAN, and dial access services for small networks (100 nodes or fewer), including but not limited to use of these protocols: IP, IGRP, Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, VLANs, RIP, Ethernet, Access Lists.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying Organization
Global Knowledge

6. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Workflow Fnd Applications (MCTS)

Candidates work on a team in a medium-sized or large development environment that uses Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Developer, Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, or Microsoft Visual Studio 2008. Candidates should have at least two to three years of experience developing Web-based, Windows-based, or distributed applications by using the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0, the .NET Framework 1.1, the .NET Framework 2.0, or the .NET Framework 3.5. Candidates should have a working knowledge of Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio 2008.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 

7. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

A Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist certification proves your skills on a particular Microsoft technology, such as the Windows operating system, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server, or Microsoft Visual Studio. MCTS certifications are no longer in development. However, your MCTS certification will remain valuable as long as companies are using the technology on which it certifies. Please check the retired exams and retired certifications pages for specific retirement dates.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 

8. CCNP Service Provider Operations (CCNP)

The Cisco Certified Network Professional in Service Provider Operations (CCNP SP Operations) validates knowledge and skills required (of a Tier II or Tier III support engineer) to troubleshoot and maintain service provider IP NGN core (PE-PE and PE-CE) network infrastructures. With a CCNP SP Operations certification, a network professional demonstrates knowledge and skills required to isolate network performance problems, implement proactive fault measures using operations management processes, frameworks, and network management systems.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying Organization
Cisco Systems, Inc.
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
CCNP Service Provider SPCOR-350-501
udemy
4.7
(428)

9. Dell Certified Systems Expert (DCSE)

Dell offers hardware maintenance training through the Dell Certified Systems Expert program. DCSE prepares independent service maintenance technicians or companies with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide their own maintenance. Technicians are required to pass an exam to achieve an accreditation on client systems (portables, desktops and workstations) or servers. Technician may receive accreditation in both areas if desired.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)

10. Computer Service Technician (CST)

The following can be expected to identify the major areas of training-study-knowledge and skills which the Computer Service Technician needs in order to perform the job of servicing the hardware and the systems software for personal computers: Computer Assembly-Disassembly; Motherboards; Buses; System Resources, Processor Characteristics; Memory Characteristics (Physical & Electronic); Secondary Storage Devices; Peripheral Devices; I/O Ports; Power Concepts and Power Supplies; Basic Networking Concepts; Portables; Digital Concepts; Troubleshooting/Preventive Maintenance; current Operating Systems; File Management; Safety Procedures/Handling; and Workplace Practices.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 4 year(s)
Certifying Website
Computer Service Technician
Certifying Organization
ETA International

What is the best certification for a Desktop Support Specialist?

The Security 5 Certification certification is most common among desktop support specialists. This certification is awarded by the EC-Council. To become a certified desktop support specialist with Security 5 Certification, you need to pass the exam. Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience. Renew certification every 3 year.

What are Some of the Most In-Demand Certifications For Desktop Support Specialists?

We analyzed online job postings to determine the most commonly asked-for certifications. The most popular certification requirement is Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician. By holding this certification, you will gain a more-competitive resume that will look impressive to potential employers.

What Certifications Can Impact a Desktop Support Specialist Career and Salary?

Desktop support specialists are most often promoted to a technical support specialist position. A technical support specialist average salary is $61,966 whereas desktop support specialists make an average salary of $44,962. The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician certification could help you to get a technical support specialist position in your career path.

Best Certifications

Desktop support specialists are most likely to hold a combination of the following certifications: Security 5 Certification, Certified Network Computer Technician (CNCT), and Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST).

online courses for Desktop Support Specialists that you may like

If you are not ready to pass the certification program but still want to improve your skills, these online courses may help.

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1. Technical Support Case Studies and Capstone

coursera

This course allows you to show what you’ve learned in the previous IT Technical Support professional certification courses and apply that knowledge to realistic situations. The IT Technical Support Capstone leads you through a series of technical support case studies that require hands-on work to resolve. You will practice analyzing user help requests and troubleshooting various issues. You’ll demonstrate your knowledge of hardware, software, networking, security, and cloud computing. You’ll...

2. Technical Support Fundamentals

coursera

This course is the first of a series that aims to prepare you for a role as an entry-level IT Support Specialist. In this course, you’ll be introduced to the world of Information Technology, or IT. You’ll learn about the different facets of Information Technology, like computer hardware, the Internet, computer software, troubleshooting, and customer service. This course covers a wide variety of topics in IT that are designed to give you an overview of what’s to come in this certificate program...

3. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting

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Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk, Helpdesk, IT Support, System Administration and IT...

4. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

udemy
4
(387)

Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...

5. Introduction to Technical Support

coursera

Gain the daily work skills and knowledge you’ll need for IT Technical Support career success. This course, part of the IBM Technical Support Professional Certificate, is designed for beginners with no prior IT experience or formal degree. Get an insider’s view into IT Support work. Learn about IT Support roles and levels, the support escalation matrix, ticketing systems, common support tools, and remote support software. Then, hear about career opportunities and career pathways from...

6. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

udemy
4.5
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Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...

7. IT & Technical Support Guide to Helpdesk, Desktop & Servers

udemy
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Learn how the different levels of IT technical support work, from service desk to infrastructure and server support...

8. Tableau()2Tableau Desktop Specialist

udemy
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Tableau32TableauTableau Desktop Specialist...

9. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Practice Tests 2022

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Updated for the new Tableau Desktop Specialist exam version - 200+ high quality questions with Detailed answers!...

10. Complete IT Support Specialist Course: IT Foundations

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IT Support Foundations: Learn the skills equivalent to an associates in this series and qualify for an entry level job...

11. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Exam Prep 2022

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Pass the Updated Tableau Desktop Specialist Exam on your first try with video lessons, Study Notes, Quizzes & 1:1 chat!...

12. IT Support Technical Skills Helpdesk

udemy
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Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Learners...

13. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Guide

udemy
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Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Exam Subjects Covered in Detail! + Real World Case Study & 2 Practice Tests...

14. Remote Desktop Services Windows Server 2016

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Learn RDS Sessions and Application on Windows Server 2016 and Get Everything You Need To Start Deploying RDS...

15. Deploying Windows Virtual Desktop in Microsoft Azure

udemy
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Delivering Remote Desktops and Apps in Azure with Windows Virtual Desktop and Azure AD Domain Services...

16. Tableau Data Analyst/Specialist Desktop Certification

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From beginners to skills needed for Data Analyst or Desktop Specialist certifications. Tableau 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019...

17. Tableau Certification: Desktop Specialist + Data Analyst

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Complete guide to acing the 2021-2022 Tableau Desktop Specialist & Certified Data Analyst exams (2 full practice tests!)...

18. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access

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Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...

19. Active Directory Administration for Helpdesk Technicians

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Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...

20. Tableau Desktop Specialist /Data Analyst Practice Tests 2022

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6 MASTER PREP SERIES with 177 Q's + Study Guide + Tips & Instruction Guide+ Weekly Hands-on Assignments...

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