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Google · IT Support · Entry

Google IT Support Professional Certificate exam guide

Exam N/A (Coursera professional certificate)

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is a self-paced Coursera program that teaches help desk fundamentals: troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration and security. It is a low-cost on-ramp into IT support with an employer consortium and ACE college-credit recommendation.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limitSee official page
Passing scorePass all graded assignments in each course
Exam feeSee official page
Valid forSee official page
DeliveryOnline, self-paced on Coursera

Format: Self-paced online courses with graded quizzes, hands-on labs and projects; no proctored final exam. Fee note: Coursera subscription pricing (US $49/month for most Google certificates); included in Coursera Plus; financial aid available.

Who it's for

Beginners and career changers with no IT experience who want an entry-level help desk or desktop support role.

What the exam covers

Technical Support Fundamentals—
The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking—
Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User—
System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services—
IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts—
Accelerate Your Job Search with AI—

A dash means the vendor does not publish a weight for that domain.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None

Recommended: None. Google suggests about 10 hours a week for roughly 3 months.

Keeping it active

Does not expire.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Hardware and software troubleshooting
  • TCP/IP and network troubleshooting
  • Windows and Linux administration basics
  • Directory services and IT infrastructure
  • Security fundamentals
  • Customer service and ticket handling

Job roles

IT Support SpecialistHelp Desk TechnicianDesktop Support TechnicianTechnical Support SpecialistService Desk Analyst

Where it fits in your path

Take before

No prerequisite certification needed.

You are here

Google IT Support Professional Certificate

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Weeks 1-2: Technical Support Fundamentals (about 19 hours)
  2. Weeks 3-5: Computer Networking (about 22 hours) - build a home network diagram
  3. Weeks 6-8: Operating Systems (about 28 hours) - practice Windows and Linux CLI in a VM
  4. Weeks 9-10: System Administration (about 24 hours)
  5. Weeks 11-12: IT Security (about 23 hours) and the job search course
  6. Week 13+: Book CompTIA A+ Core 1 to convert the certificate into an industry exam credential

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • There is no final proctored exam; employers value it more when paired with CompTIA A+
  • Do every Qwiklabs-style hands-on lab, not just the videos
  • Keep notes as a personal troubleshooting runbook to show in interviews
  • Use the employer consortium job board after finishing

Key terms for this exam

All 15 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Google IT Support Certificate cost?

It is billed as a Coursera subscription (typically $49/month in the US) or via Coursera Plus; finishing in 3 months costs roughly $150. Financial aid is available.

How long does it take?

About 122 course hours; around 3 months at 10 hours a week.

Does it get you a job?

It builds entry-level skills and gives access to an employer consortium, but most hiring managers also look for CompTIA A+ or hands-on experience.

Does it give college credit?

It carries an ACE credit recommendation; acceptance depends on the institution.

Google IT Support vs CompTIA A+?

Google teaches the material at low cost; A+ is the proctored, widely required industry certification. Many do Google first, then A+.

Official page: www.coursera.org. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.