A+

A-Plus (A+) is the name of a process, developed by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a large trade group, that certifies individuals for knowledge about and competency in installing, maintaining, customizing, and operating personal computers. The examination is in two parts, the first covering computer hardware and software in general and the second covering a specific operating system, such as Windows 98. The exam is administered by Drake Parametric and there is a fee. A number of companies provide in-house or self-taught preparation for the exam.

CompTIA also sponsors specialized certification for document imaging and a network certification exam. The A-Plus certification is somewhat more basic and less product-specific than other certifications, such as Microsoft's Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certifications.

An advantage of certification in any industry is that it promotes self-regulation rather than government regulation.

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The CompTIA A+ Certification is the industry standard for computer support technicians. The international, vendor-neutral certification proves competence in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ certified technicians also have excellent customer service and communication skills to work with clients.

CompTIA A+ is part of the certification track for corporations such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco and Novell. Other technology companies, including CompuCom and Ricoh, have made CompTIA A+ certification mandatory for their service technicians. More than 700,000 people worldwide have become CompTIA A+ certified since the program’s inception in 1993.
The latest version of CompTIA A+ is CompTIA A+ 2009 Edition. Two exams are necessary to be certified: CompTIA A+ Essentials, exam code 220-701; and CompTIA A+ Practical Application, exam code 220-702.

CompTIA A+ Essentials measures the necessary competencies of an entry-level IT professional with a recommended 500 hours of hands-on experience in the lab or field. It tests for the fundamentals of computer technology, networking and security, as well as the communication skills and professionalism now required of all entry-level IT professionals.

CompTIA A+ Practical Application is an extension of the knowledge and skills identified in CompTIA A+ Essentials, with more of a "hands-on" orientation focused on scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems.

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References:
http://searchwinit.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid1_gci211578,00.html
http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/a.aspx