IT certification training in Tampa — Build, connect, and secure.
A live, instructor-led IT certification training program in Tampa Bay that takes you from digital literacy to certified IT professional in 350 hours. Earn three CompTIA certifications — A+, Network+, and Security+ — plus business applications proficiency, with real instructors who have practical IT experience. Built for career changers, job seekers, and anyone ready to launch a career in information technology.
- Live online — not pre-recorded videos
- Max 12 students per class
- 3 exam vouchers + retake assurance
- Career planning & job strategizing with a certified career coach
- Workforce grant, VR & VA funding accepted
- Recorded sessions for 24/7 review
From "where do I even start"
to working in IT.
Most people stuck outside the IT field aren't lacking intelligence — they're lacking a structured path. However, that changes with 350 hours of IT certification training in Tampa at Access Computer Training.
Stuck outside the IT industry
- Watching random YouTube tutorials and hoping it adds up to a job
- Not sure if you should start with hardware, networking, or security
- No instructor to ask when concepts don't click
- Self-paced courses you start and never finish
- Job applications going unanswered — no certifications, no structure
Equipped for IT careers
Real jobs. Real salaries.
Real paths in Tampa Bay.
Help Desk Technician
Help Desk Technicians are the first point of contact when something breaks. In this role, you'll troubleshoot hardware and software issues, set up equipment, manage user accounts, and keep business operations running — the backbone of every IT department.
- Hardware & software troubleshooting
- Windows OS installation & configuration
- User account management & support
- Ticketing systems & documentation
IT Support Specialist
IT Support Specialists handle complex technical problems, maintain systems, deploy software, and support end users across the organization. As a result, they bridge the gap between users and infrastructure — keeping people productive and systems consistently healthy.
- System administration & maintenance
- Network troubleshooting basics
- Software deployment & updates
- Security awareness & best practices
Network Technician
Network Technicians install, configure, and maintain network infrastructure — routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless systems. Because connectivity is critical to every business, this role is in consistent demand and provides a clear path into network administration.
- Network configuration & management
- Router, switch, and firewall setup
- Wireless & WAN troubleshooting
- Network security fundamentals
Salary ranges reflect publicly available Tampa, FL data for entry-level to mid-career roles (ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, Salary.com — 2026). Actual compensation varies by employer, experience, security clearance, and additional skills. Certification does not guarantee employment.
Literacy → Hardware → Networking → Security.
Four tracks taught in the order that actually builds career-ready skills. No guesswork, no jumping ahead.
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, AI tools (Copilot & ChatGPT), file management, and career strategizing.
Hardware & Support
PC hardware, operating systems, mobile devices, troubleshooting, and IT support fundamentals.
Networking
Network configuration, management, troubleshooting, and infrastructure security.
Security
Cybersecurity fundamentals, threat awareness, risk management, and secure network design.
How this compares
to other IT certification training in Tampa.
Most IT training options in Tampa fall into two camps: video subscriptions or multi-year degree programs. Here's where ACT fits.
| Option ASelf-paced video courses | RecommendedACT IT Career Prep | Option BCollege degree / 4-yr program | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to job-readyHow quickly you can apply | 12+ months avg. | ~9 months (350 hrs) | 2–4 years |
| Live instructor supportReal humans, not just videos | Forums only | CompTIA Certified instructors | Mixed quality |
| Industry certificationsWhat employers actually look for | Pay separately | 3 exam vouchers + retake assurance | Optional |
| Business software skillsMicrosoft 365, AI, digital literacy | Not included | 138 hours included | Varies |
| Career coachingRésumé, interview, job search | None | Certified career coach | Generic career center |
| Class sizePersonal attention | 1,000s of strangers | Max 12 students | 100+ per lecture |
| Workforce grant / VR / VA fundingWorkforce funding eligible | Not eligible | All accepted | Pell only |
Workforce grant, VR, and VA funding may be available depending on your employment status and county — we'll confirm your eligibility on your strategy call.
Everything you need to finish
— ALL included.
No surprise add-ons. No upsells. Everything below is part of your IT certification training program enrollment.
350 Hours of Live Instruction
Live, instructor-led online classes on Microsoft Teams. Ask questions in real time. No pre-recorded shortcuts.
3 Exam Vouchers + Retake Assurance
Exam vouchers for CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ — each with retake assurance included so you can test with confidence.
Recorded Sessions
Every live class recorded. Rewatch difficult topics, reinforce learning, or catch up if you miss a session.
Hands-On Practice Labs
Practice labs, quizzes, and exam prep tools that build real skills — not just exam memorization.
1-on-1 Mentoring
Individual mentoring by appointment. Stuck on something? Book time with your instructor and work through it.
Career Planning & Job Strategy
Career planning and job strategizing with a certified career coach — résumé reviews, LinkedIn optimization, interview prep, and salary negotiation.
Your IT certification training in Tampa
is taught by real practitioners.
When you choose IT certification training in Tampa at ACT, your instructors aren't full-time content creators. Instead, they hold advanced certifications and bring real-world experience into every class — from enterprise IT infrastructure to business software.
Craig Taylor
Background & Experience
Craig brings extensive professional experience in information technology, cybersecurity operations, network administration, and systems support across defense, public sector, and private industry environments. He has served in progressive roles from IT Support Technician and Network Administrator to IT Manager and senior security leadership — establishing security operations and incident response teams, supporting in-house Security Operations Center (SOC) capabilities, and authoring governance policies aligned with ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, NIST, and ITIL.
"I built ACT because the typical path into IT — self-paced videos and untested certs — doesn't actually prepare students for Tampa employers. This program does. We cap classes at 12, hire instructors who've done the work, and stay involved until you're working."
350 hours, four tracks,
taught in the right order.
Click any track below to see exactly what you'll learn. Every IT module is aligned to CompTIA's current exam objectives.
01
Business Applications — Digital LiteracyMicrosoft 365, AI & Career Tools · 138 hours · Track 1 of 4
138 hrs
Build strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, file management, Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and career strategizing. The digital literacy foundation every IT career starts from.
02
CompTIA A+ — Hardware & Support220-1101 & 220-1102 · 92 hours · Track 2 of 4
92 hrs
Build job-ready skills in hardware installation, operating systems, networking fundamentals, mobile devices, troubleshooting, security basics, and operational procedures. The certification every IT career is built on.
03
CompTIA Network+ — NetworkingN10-009 · 60 hours · Track 3 of 4
60 hrs
Develop the practical network technician skill set — network design, configuration, management, troubleshooting, and security. The foundation for any infrastructure or networking career.
04
CompTIA Security+ — Security FundamentalsSY0-701 · 60 hours · Track 4 of 4
60 hrs
Build foundational cybersecurity skills — threat identification, risk management, secure network defense, identity & access management, incident response, and compliance. The security certification employers look for.
Is this program right for you?
We'd rather have an honest conversation now than enroll someone who isn't ready.
This is for you if…
This isn't for you if…
IT certification training Tampa — your questions answered.
If you have a question that isn't here, ask us on your free strategy call.
How long does the whole program take?
The IT Career Prep pathway is 350 clock hours total, taught across four tracks (Business Applications, A+, Network+, Security+). Specifically, most students complete the full pathway over roughly 9 months depending on cohort timing and schedule.
Each individual track runs on its own cohort cycle, with new cohorts scheduled regularly. Moreover, you can enroll in tracks individually if you'd rather space them out.
Do I need prior IT experience to enroll?
No — this program is designed for complete beginners. Specifically, the Business Applications track builds your digital literacy first, and then A+ teaches you hardware and support from the ground up. However, you should be comfortable with basic Windows PC use and Internet browsing.
If you already have strong computer skills and want to skip the Business Applications track, check out our IT Network & Security Professional program which starts directly with A+. In that case, we'll help you figure out the right fit on your free strategy call.
Is this online, in-person, or hybrid?
Classes are delivered live online (synchronous) on Microsoft Teams. Therefore, you attend scheduled sessions in real time, ask questions, and get guided instruction — just like a classroom.
Additionally, all live sessions are recorded for 24/7 review. However, VA-benefit students have separate in-person attendance requirements per federal guidelines.
What equipment do I need?
You'll need a Windows PC, reliable Internet, and ideally dual monitors. Before Day 1 we run a mandatory onboarding session to install required software and walk you through Microsoft Teams and the learning platform.
Can I use workforce grant, VR, or VA funding?
Access Computer Training works directly with workforce grant programs, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), VA Education Benefits (including Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Chapter 31), and CareerSource.
Eligibility depends on your employment status and county, so on your strategy call we'll walk through exactly what you may qualify for.
What if I don't pass a CompTIA exam?
Your program includes retake assurance with each exam voucher. Additionally, you'll have continued access to your instructor for targeted prep, as well as the recorded class sessions for review.
Does ACT guarantee job placement?
No legitimate training provider guarantees employment. However, what we provide is career planning and job strategizing — résumé writing, LinkedIn optimization, mock interviews, and Tampa-area job search strategies — all included with a certified career coach.
What's the difference between IT Career Prep and IT Network & Security Professional?
IT Career Prep (350 hours) includes the Business Applications track, which builds digital literacy and Microsoft 365 proficiency before moving into the CompTIA certifications. This option is ideal for people who are completely new to computers and IT.
IT Network & Security Professional (212 hours), on the other hand, skips Business Applications and goes directly into A+, Network+, and Security+. That program works better for people who already have strong computer skills and want to focus entirely on IT certifications. We'll help you decide which fits best on your strategy call.
Let's find out if IT
is the right career for you.
On a free 15-minute call, we'll learn about your goals and experience. From there, we'll help you understand which training path makes sense, what support is included, and whether you may qualify for funding. Ultimately, the goal is clarity on your next step — not pressure to enroll.
- Clarity on which program fits
- Funding eligibility check
- Schedule that fits your life
- No pressure to commit
