← All guides · Updated October 11, 2026

Best free (and nearly free) IT certifications for career changers

“Free certification” gets used loosely online. Sometimes the training is free but the exam isn’t. Sometimes a free program has quietly ended. This guide separates the three cases and links each claim to the provider’s own page.

Recently changed: ISC2’s free “One Million Certified in Cybersecurity” program closed to new enrollments on May 20, 2026. The entry-level CC exam is now $199 (ISC2). Older articles and videos that call it free are out of date.

1. Free training and a free credential

Credential	Good for	Notes
freeCodeCamp certifications	Web development, JavaScript, Python, databases	freeCodeCamp says its verified certifications are free. Each new cert takes about 300 hours of coursework, projects and an exam (freeCodeCamp).
Cisco Networking Academy badges	IT support, networking, security basics	Self-paced NetAcad courses are free. Introduction to Cybersecurity needs no experience, and you earn a digital badge by passing the final exam (Cisco).
Fortinet Certified Fundamentals (FCF) in Cybersecurity	Security basics	The self-paced lessons in the Fortinet Training Institute library are free, but on-demand labs cost extra (Fortinet help desk). FCF stays active for two years. Fortinet updated its course lineup in July 2026, so check which courses currently count.
IBM SkillsBuild	AI, cybersecurity, data, cloud basics	Free courses with digital credentials you can add to LinkedIn.

These are good for proving to yourself, and to a recruiter, that you’ve done real work. They usually carry less weight than the vendor-neutral industry certifications below, so treat them as stepping stones.

2. Free training, paid exam

Certification	Free prep	Exam cost
Microsoft Fundamentals & role-based certs	Microsoft Learn training paths are free	Exams are paid. Microsoft sometimes runs promotions that include exam discounts.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner	Free digital courses on AWS Skill Builder	Paid exam (see AWS’s page for current price)
Salesforce Administrator	Free on Trailhead	Paid exam
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)	ISC2 offers prep options	$199 exam plus $50/year maintenance, according to ISC2

3. Low-cost, structured programs

Google Career Certificates (IT Support, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Project Management, UX and more): $49 a month in the U.S. and Canada after a 7-day free trial. Google says most learners finish in 3 to 6 months at under 10 hours a week, and that completing one can earn a recommendation for up to 12 college credits (Google). Financial aid is offered through Coursera.
CompTIA A+: the long-standing entry credential for help-desk and IT support. It takes two exams (Core 1 and Core 2), and you pay for each. Check CompTIA’s page for current pricing and bundles.

4. No-cost programs that include certification

Per Scholas: a nonprofit offering no-cost training in IT support, cybersecurity, data analytics and more, with industry credentials and career support.
Registered Apprenticeships (search Apprenticeship.gov or Apprenti): you’re paid while you train, and certifications are often part of the program.

How to choose

Start from the job postings. Pull 10 postings for the role you want and count which credentials come up. That beats any “top 10” list, including this one.
Do one free credential first (Cisco, freeCodeCamp, Fortinet or IBM) to confirm you like the work.
Then pay for one recognized certification that the postings ask for.
Pair it with a small project you can talk about in an interview.

New to all of this? Read How to switch into tech after 40 first. Our directory has every option above in the training paths category.

Sources: each provider’s own page, linked above. Checked October 11, 2026. Prices change, so confirm on the provider’s site before you pay.