The CompTIA Network+ certification is the sign of a competent networking professional. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that proves a technician’s competency in managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing and configuring basic network infrastructure.

Since its introduction in 1999, more than 235,000 people have become CompTIA Network+ certified. Microsoft includes CompTIA Network+ in their Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) program, and other corporations such as Novell, Cisco and HP also recognize CompTIA Network+ as part of their certification tracks.

Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that CompTIA Network+ candidates have at least nine months of experience in network support or administration or academic training, along with a CompTIA A+ certification.
For IT professionals requiring re-certification:

The newest version of the CompTIA Network+ certification exam was launched in early 2009. IT professionals who are encouraged or required by their employers to remain current on their certifications have two options: They can take the new version of the exam, or they can take the CompTIA Network+ bridge exam, which covers the new objectives. The test, exam code BR0-002, is a 60-minute, 50-question test. A passing score is 500 on a scale of 100-900.
Only professionals who are currently CompTIA Network+ certified under the 2005 objectives are eligible to become CompTIA Network+ 2009 certified by taking the bridge exam.

Number of questions: 100

Length of test: 90 minutes
Passing score: 720 on a scale of 100-900

Recommended experience: CompTIA A+ certification and nine months networking experience

Languages: English, Spanish, German

Exam codes: N10-004 and JK0-016

Until March 2010, the previous Network+ exam, with exam codes N10-003 and JK0-012, will be available in  Japanese, Chinese, German, Korean and Greek. However, applicants are encouraged to take the most recent version of the exam when possible.