Yes, CompTIA Security+ expires every 3 years from the date you pass the exam. CompTIA requires Security+ holders to earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and pay a $50 annual renewal fee to maintain active certification status. This ensures that certified security professionals stay current with evolving cybersecurity threats, tools, and best practices.
CompTIA Security+ is one of the most widely held cybersecurity certifications worldwide. It's approved by the U.S. Department of Defense under directive 8570/8140 and is a baseline requirement for many government and military cybersecurity positions. Because of its critical role in validating security competency, CompTIA requires ongoing education to maintain the credential.
The renewal clock starts the day you pass the exam. You have exactly 3 years to accumulate 50 CEUs. Unlike some certifications that require annual minimums, CompTIA allows you to earn all 50 CEUs at any pace within the 3-year window. However, you must pay the $50 annual fee each year regardless of your CEU progress.
CompTIA's CE program is relatively straightforward compared to other certification bodies. The 50 CEU requirement is lower than CISSP's 120 CPE credits or CISM's 120 CPE hours, making Security+ one of the easier certifications to maintain from a continuing education perspective.
CompTIA offers multiple paths to earn CEUs, giving you flexibility to choose activities that fit your career and interests:
| Renewal Method | CEU Cost | Renewal Fee | Total 3-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CertMaster CE | ~$129 | $150 | ~$279 |
| Higher CompTIA cert | $253-$494 | $150 | $403-$644 |
| Free CEU activities | $0 | $150 | $150 |
| Retake exam (if expired) | — | — | $404+ |
One of the most popular renewal strategies is earning a higher-level CompTIA certification. When you pass CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst), PenTest+ (Penetration Tester), or CASP+ (Advanced Security Practitioner), CompTIA automatically renews Security+ and all certifications below it in the CompTIA certification stack. This means Network+ and A+ are also renewed simultaneously.
Non-CompTIA certifications also earn significant CEUs. Passing the CISSP exam earns 50 CEUs (enough for full Security+ renewal). CEH, CISM, AWS Security Specialty, and other industry certifications provide varying amounts of CEUs that can be applied toward your Security+ renewal.
If your Security+ expires, you lose the ability to claim active certification status. This can have immediate career implications—government contractors may be unable to continue in their current roles, and job applications requiring active Security+ will not accept an expired credential. CompTIA may offer a limited grace period, but you should not rely on this.
To regain the certification after expiration, you must retake and pass the current version of the Security+ exam. The exam costs $404 and requires significant study time, especially if the exam version has changed since you originally certified. Maintaining through CEUs is far more cost-effective and less stressful.
| Certification | Cycle | CE Required | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security+ | 3 years | 50 CEUs | $50 |
| CISSP | 3 years | 120 CPEs | $125 |
| CEH | 3 years | 120 ECEs | $80 |
| CISM | 3 years | 120 CPEs | $85 |
Yes, Security+ expires every 3 years. Renewal requires 50 CEUs and a $50/year fee ($150 total over the cycle).
50 CEUs over 3 years. You can earn all 50 at any pace—there's no annual minimum for CEUs (only the annual fee).
The annual renewal fee is $50/year ($150 total). CertMaster CE adds ~$129. Using free CEU activities keeps total cost to just the $150 renewal fee.
Yes. Earning CySA+, PenTest+, or CASP+ automatically renews Security+ and all lower CompTIA certs. Non-CompTIA certs like CISSP also provide CEUs.
You lose active certification status and must retake the current exam ($404) to recertify. This can impact government/military positions that require active Security+.
Self-study with practice tests counts toward your CEU requirements.
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