What CompTIA Network+ actually costs in 2026
Short answer: CompTIA Network+ costs about $369 for the exam in 2026, and a realistic all-in with study materials and a possible retake usually lands between $500 and $900. Unlike A+, it is a single exam, so the ticket price is higher but you only sit one test. Plan for roughly 60 to 90 hours of study, about 6 to 10 weeks part-time if you already have A+ or equivalent basics. Then you renew every 3 years.
Here is the honest breakdown, because most "Network+ cost" pages quote the voucher and stop there.
It's one exam, but it is not cheap
Network+ (exam code N10-009) is a single exam, which is a relief after A+ and its two cores. The catch is the sticker price: about $369 per attempt in the US as of 2026. You pass one test and you are certified.
It covers networking concepts, infrastructure, network operations, security, and troubleshooting. This is the "how networks actually work" cert, and it is the natural next step after A+.
The retake trap
Same rule as every CompTIA exam: no free retakes. Fail it and the next attempt is another full ~$369.
- You can retake immediately after your first fail.
- After a second fail, you wait 14 days.
One retake turns "$369" into "$738." Budget with that possibility in mind, and do not book until your practice scores say you are ready.
Study materials
CompTIA's official CertMaster products for Network+ at full retail:
- CertMaster Learn: ~$369
- CertMaster Labs: ~$135
- CertMaster Practice: ~$149 to $200
- Official Study Guide: ~$95
The full official stack runs $600 to $800 on top of the exam. You do not need all of it, but it explains why a "just the voucher" budget is misleading.
Renewal: the 3-year clock
Network+ is good for 3 years, then you renew or it lapses. Options:
- Earn 30 continuing-education units (CEUs) and pay about $150 in CE fees across the cycle (roughly $50 a year).
- Or take CertMaster CE for about $195, which handles the CEUs and the renewal in one.
- Or retake the current exam (~$369).
The cheapest keep-it-alive path is the CEU route at about $150.
The real total
For a realistic first-timer who buys some materials and might need a retake:
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Exam (one attempt) | ~$369 |
| A possible retake | ~$369 |
| Some official study materials | $150 to $600 |
| First renewal (3-year, CEU path) | ~$150 |
| Realistic all-in, first cycle | ~$500 to $900+ |
The time cost
If you already hold A+ or have equivalent fundamentals, plan for about 60 to 90 hours of focused study. In calendar terms:
- 8 to 12 hours a week: about 6 to 8 weeks.
- 5 to 6 hours a week: about 10 to 12 weeks.
Coming in cold with no networking background pushes that higher, so build in extra time if subnetting and the OSI model are new to you.
How to spend less without cutting corners
- Skip the full official stack. A solid course plus real practice questions and hands-on labs covers it.
- Subnetting is where people lose points. Drill it until it is automatic before you book.
- Do not schedule the exam until you are consistently passing practice tests. A retake costs more than another two weeks of prep, so let the practice exam call your readiness.
Where Revy's Tech Journey fits
The honest, small pitch: official CertMaster training alone runs $600 to $800. Revy's Tech Journey gives you the Network+ practice questions, hands-on simulator, flashcards, and adventure-style lessons (plus A+ and Security+) for $24 a month on Pro, or a one-time Lifetime option. It does not replace the exam, and we will never promise it guarantees a pass. It is the reps layer that keeps you from paying $369 twice.
Study smart, sit it once, and Network+ costs a lot less than the guides make it look. The full objective map is on the Network+ certification track page, and pricing lays out Pro and Lifetime side by side.
Questions about your path to N10-009? Email the team. We reply personally, usually within a day.
Sources
Figures are US, 2026. Sourced from CompTIA official pages, including the CompTIA Network+ certification overview, the certification retake policy, and the continuing-education renewal fees, plus 2026 pricing breakdowns and current CertMaster retail pricing.
About the authors
IT Service Center Manager and former CTE / IT teacher. Owner of Revtek in Chicago's south suburbs. Writes everything that ships under his name and reviews every line of Revy-assisted drafting before publish.
LinkedIn ↗Revy helps draft and structure these posts. Every piece is reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Nick before publish. We disclose this here because it is the right thing to do. See the AI Policy for the full stance.