CompTIA certification renewal and validity
RTJ is an IT certification platform that starts with CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+.
CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications are valid for three years from the certification date. You can renew without retaking an exam by earning the required CEUs and paying the CE fee, completing an eligible CertMaster CE course, or earning a CompTIA certification that fully renews yours. You can also renew by passing a newer release of the exam or exam series for your certification. For 30 days after expiration, CompTIA permits outstanding fees and CEUs earned during the original renewal cycle to be submitted. After that period, you can regain the certification only by passing the latest exam version. Each section below cites the official CompTIA page that supports it.
How long is a CompTIA certification valid?
CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ are valid for three years from the certification date. The renewal cycle follows that date, not the calendar year. [1][4]
How do you renew a CompTIA certification?
You can renew with one activity: complete an eligible CertMaster CE course while your certification is active, earn a qualifying CompTIA certification at a higher level that fully renews yours, earn a qualifying IT certification from another provider, or pass a newer release of the exam or exam series for your certification. You can instead combine activities, such as training, a college course, or related work experience, until you have enough CEUs. [2]
Every activity must be completed within the three years of your renewal cycle. At least half of a course's content must relate to one or more exam objectives, but CompTIA also considers the cognitive level and makes the final relevance decision. Use CompTIA's CEU assessment tool before relying on a course. You cannot renew by passing the same exam release a second time. [1][3]
Completing an eligible CertMaster CE course, passing a newer release of your exam, or earning a qualifying CompTIA certification that fully renews yours renews the certification automatically. For most other activities, log in to your certification account and submit the documentation. [2]
How many CEUs do you need?
A+ needs 20 CEUs, Network+ needs 30, and Security+ needs 50, earned within the three-year cycle. [3]
What are the CE fees?
The total CE fee over the full three years is $75 for A+, $150 for Network+, and $150 for Security+. You pay it only when you renew by uploading CEUs, and it is due by the certification's expiration date. The fee is paid with CE tokens sold in $25 and $50 amounts. Tokens do not expire and are not refundable after upload. If your employer is a DoD component or qualifying enterprise organization, ask whether it provides a bulk token before paying yourself. Passing a newer exam release, earning a qualifying CompTIA certification that fully renews yours, or completing an eligible CertMaster CE course requires no CE fee. [4]
Can one certification renew another?
Yes, if the lower certifications are active. Renewing Security+ fully renews Network+ and A+, and renewing Network+ fully renews A+. A+ does not fully renew another CompTIA certification. When the highest certification fully renews the lower ones, you pay the CE fee only for that certification. If it does not fully renew a lower certification, that lower certification still has its own requirements and its CE fee is not waived. Not every matrix row works the same way: earning Server+ by passing its exam fully renews Network+ and A+, but renewing an existing Server+ does not. [4][5]
Who can use CertMaster CE?
CompTIA offers CertMaster CE courses for A+, Network+, and Security+. Your certification must still be active. The current courses accept A+ earned on 220-1101 and 220-1102 or an earlier series, Network+ earned on N10-008 or earlier, and Security+ earned on SY0-601 or earlier. Certifications earned on the current exam releases are not eligible for these current courses. You must score 100% on every assessment, and you cannot use the same course version for a second renewal. Course access lasts 12 months from purchase, but you must finish within your renewal cycle. Redemption may be blocked during the final 24 to 48 hours, and completion is recorded in UTC, so redeem and finish well before expiration. CertMaster CE accepts credit card payment only, not CE tokens or bulk purchasing. [6]
What happens if your certification expires?
After expiration, CompTIA provides 30 days to pay outstanding CE fees or submit CEUs earned within the original renewal cycle. It is not extra time to earn CEUs, complete CertMaster CE, or pass a higher certification. After that period, you can regain the certification only by passing the latest exam version. [1]
Which official sources support this page?
The organizations responsible for these policies can update them. Each section above cites an official page below, read on November 3, 2026. Check the current official pages before you act.
Questions
How long is CompTIA Security+ valid?
Three years from the date you earn it. You renew it through CompTIA's Continuing Education program, for example by earning 50 CEUs and paying the CE fee.
Does Security+ renew Network+ and A+?
Yes, if Network+ and A+ are still active. CompTIA says renewing Security+ fully renews both. If you renew Security+ by uploading CEUs, you pay only the Security+ CE fee.
Can I renew by retaking the same exam?
No. You cannot renew by taking the same exam release a second time. Passing a newer release of the exam or exam series does renew the certification.
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