IT Certification Roadmaps

Browse IT certification roadmaps with recommended starting orders for cloud, AI, security, data, infrastructure, developer, Oracle, Linux, Kubernetes, and hands-on exam paths.

These are practical study roadmaps to help you pick an order and avoid random wandering.

Best page to open first

If you need to…Best pageWhy
Follow a suggested exam orderIT RoadmapsBest page when you want a sequence instead of one exam page.
Jump straight to one exam pageIT ExamsBest page when you already know the vendor or code.
Choose the vendor pageOracle , Microsoft , Linux Foundation / CNCF, or Red HatBest page when code selection, replacement status, or hands-on exam format matters before building a study order.
Open web practice or log in firstIT Mastery Web AppBest page for browser practice and existing-subscriber access.
Check pricing and install linksIT Plans & AccessBest page for pricing, billing, and mobile/web access notes.

How to use a roadmap

  • Pick one track and avoid switching between exams mid-week.
  • Use the outline weights to prioritize your time.
  • Add timed mock exams late in the plan to build pacing and endurance.

How the main IT roadmaps differ

RoadmapBest use
Cloud foundationsChoosing a first cloud credential such as CLF-C02, AZ-900, AI-900, or ACE before moving into role-based depth
Helpdesk to networking/securityMoving from desktop or support foundations toward Network+ and Security+ rather than public-cloud specialization
Oracle familyNot one linear roadmap; use Oracle first because OCI, SQL, MySQL, database services, and Java split too early for one sequence
Microsoft AI/Fabric transitionNot one beginner roadmap; use Microsoft first because AI-103, AI-901, AI-200, AI-300, SC-500, DP-700, and DP-600 depend on role and replacement timing
Hands-on Linux and KubernetesNot pure simulator paths; use Linux Foundation / CNCF or Red Hat first because CKA, CKAD, CKS, LFCS, and Red Hat exams require practical lab work

If your target is Oracle, use Oracle certifications first. That family currently works better as an exam-code selection page than a single linear roadmap because the Oracle set spans OCI 2025, Oracle SQL, MySQL, Autonomous Database, data-platform, and Java.

For Microsoft AI/Fabric, Linux Foundation/CNCF, and Red Hat, start with the vendor hub first. Those families are more dependent on specific role, replacement timing, and exam format than a single general roadmap can safely capture.

Current roadmap coverage

  • The roadmap layer is strongest for first-cert ordering and career-direction decisions, not for vendor-specific code lookup
  • If you already know the cloud or IT code, switch to IT Exams or the vendor hub instead of staying in the roadmap layer
  • Oracle, Microsoft AI/Fabric, Linux Foundation/CNCF, Red Hat, GitHub Administration, Python Institute data, AI, security, automation, and professional credentials, ISC2, and Cisco remain better as vendor or exam hubs until a learner’s role path is clear; for live GitHub practice, start with GH-900 , GH-200 , GH-300 , or GH-500 ; for live Python programming practice, start with PCEP or PCAP

Choose your roadmap

Cloud foundations

Start with CLF-C02, AZ-900, AI-900, or ACE, then move to the next role-based page.

Open roadmap

Helpdesk to networking/security

A practical stack from IT support fundamentals to Security+.

Open roadmap

Need web access or install help?

Good next pages after IT roadmaps

  • IT Exams if you already know the vendor or exam code
  • IT Mastery Web App if you want to start on web and keep the same IT Mastery account on mobile
  • IT Plans & Access if you want install links and billing notes first
  • Cloud & IT if you want the broader cloud-and-IT map before choosing one sequence

In this section

  • Roadmap: Cloud Foundations
    A practical starting path for cloud, AI, data, and infrastructure certifications, from foundation exams to role-based next steps.
  • Roadmap: Helpdesk to Networking and Security
    A practical stack for general IT roles that lead into networking, cybersecurity, ISC2, ISACA, Cisco CyberOps, GitHub security, and advanced CompTIA pages.