Getting the CompTIA A+ certification is not a requirement to get a Network+ certification. Each certification covers a separate area of computer technology. The A+ certification will test your knowledge of PC hardware, mobile device hardware, operating systems, security, cloud computing, and troubleshooting hardware and network connectivity. It consists of two tests. You can acquire the Network+ plus certification by passing one test. This test validates a student's knowledge of wired and wireless networks and their understanding of topics like unified communications and virtualization. While having both the CompTIA A+ certification and the Network+ certification will give an IT technician more opportunities when looking for a job, neither certification is a prerequisite of the other.