What is CompTIA Data+ and Who Should Take It?

Ryan Ching
May 3
3 min read

Data analytics has become a critical component of daily operations across nearly every industry. From optimizing supply chains to enhancing customer relationships and streamlining manufacturing processes, organizations rely on data to drive smarter decisions and improve efficiency.

And it’s not just businesses. Educational institutions—from secondary education to universities—are leveraging data to deliver more effective and equitable services for diverse student populations. In healthcare, data analytics is helping manage patient information, improve care outcomes, and allocate resources more effectively.

With this growing reliance on data, the demand for skilled and certified data analysts continues to rise. If you're looking to advance your career or step into a more challenging, high-impact role, earning the CompTIA Data+ Certification is a smart investment in your future.

But what exactly is Data+, and who is it designed for? Let’s break it down.

What is CompTIA Data+?

CompTIA Data+ is an entry-level, vendor-neutral certification that validates your ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data to drive business decisions. It's designed for individuals who want to prove their skills in foundational data analytics without diving too deeply into programming or complex mathematics.

The exam covers key areas such as:

Data mining and manipulation.
Basic statistical methods.
Data governance and quality.
Data visualization and reporting tools.
Data concepts and environments.

Whether you're preparing reports, managing dashboards, or supporting a data team, Data+ helps you demonstrate your ability to turn raw data into actionable insights.

Why CompTIA launched Data+

CompTIA, a global leader in IT certifications, developed Data+ in response to the growing demand for data-literate professionals across industries—not just in IT.

Unlike more advanced or specialized certifications (like those from Microsoft, Google, or Tableau), Data+ serves as a broad and accessible entry point. It bridges the gap between general IT roles and more advanced data science or business intelligence positions.

Who should take the CompTIA Data+?

This certification is ideal for individuals in a variety of roles or career paths, especially:

Early Career Professionals

Looking to enter the data field without a technical degree.
Seeking to stand out in competitive job markets.
Wanting to shift from IT support or admin into data-related roles.

IT Professionals

Working in infrastructure or security who want to become more data-driven.
Supporting departments that depend on reporting and dashboards.
Exploring career growth into analytics or BI.

Business Analysts and Reporting Specialists

Already creating dashboards but lacking formal data training.
Wanting to add a recognized certification to their resume.
Needing a better grasp of data governance and ethics.

Small Business or Operations Staff

Supporting data-driven decisions in HR, finance, or marketing.
Regularly working with Excel, Tableau, Power BI, or SQL tools.
Acting as the “data person” in a non-tech team.

What are the prerequisites?

There are no formal prerequisites, but CompTIA recommends 18–24 months of experience in a business or reporting role using data. Familiarity with basic Excel or data terminology is helpful, but you don’t need a background in coding or statistics to succeed.

Career opportunities after CompTIA Data+

With a Data+ certification, you can pursue roles like:

Data Analyst (Junior)
Business Intelligence Analyst (Entry-level)
Operations Analyst
Reporting Analyst
Data Technician

And it’s not just about the job title—Data+ helps you demonstrate your ability to think critically and make data-informed decisions, which is valuable in almost any professional role today.

Ready to get started?

At Invictus Technology Solutions, we’re excited to offer a comprehensive CompTIA Data+ course designed to get you exam-ready—with expert-led instruction, hands-on practice, and study support:

Live virtual or in-person training sessions.
Practice exams and downloadable resources.

Whether you're looking to boost your resume, pivot into data, or build confidence in handling data professionally, CompTIA Data+ is a smart, practical choice—and we're here to help you succeed. Contact us today to get started.