CompTIA CEU requirements by certification
Every CompTIA CE-program certification is valid for 3 years. The CEUs required to renew vary by level.
| Certification | CEUs to renew | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | 20 CEUs | 3 years |
| CompTIA Network+ | 30 CEUs | 3 years |
| CompTIA Security+ | 50 CEUs | 3 years |
| CompTIA CySA+ | 60 CEUs | 3 years |
| CompTIA PenTest+ | 60 CEUs | 3 years |
| CompTIA SecurityX (formerly CASP+) | 75 CEUs | 3 years |
| CompTIA Cloud+ | 50 CEUs | 3 years |
| CompTIA Linux+ | 50 CEUs | 3 years |
| CompTIA Server+ | 50 CEUs | 3 years |
| CompTIA Data+ | 20 CEUs | 3 years |
| CompTIA DataSys+ | 30 CEUs | 3 years |
Figures verified against CompTIA's official renewal pages. Server+ and Project+ joined the CE program on 1 October 2025.
The CompTIA renewal stacking pyramid
Passing a higher certification automatically renews the ones below it - no separate CEUs required.
| Pass this exam… | …and it automatically renews |
|---|---|
| Network+ | A+ |
| Security+ | Network+, A+ |
| CySA+ or PenTest+ | Security+, Network+, A+ |
| SecurityX (formerly CASP+) | CySA+, PenTest+, Security+, Network+, A+ |
Non-CompTIA certs like CISSP only count as CEUs - they don't auto-renew. CISSP earns 50 CEUs, enough to renew Security+.
CompTIA renewal questions
How many CEUs do I need to renew CompTIA Security+?+
Security+ requires 50 CEUs within its 3-year cycle. Other certs differ: A+ needs 20, Network+ needs 30, CySA+ and PenTest+ need 60, and SecurityX (formerly CASP+) needs 75.
When does my CompTIA certification expire?+
Every CompTIA CE-program certification is valid for exactly 3 years from the date you passed the exam. There is no grace period - once it lapses you must retake the current exam.
Does CISSP renew Security+?+
Earning CISSP counts as 50 CEUs, which fully satisfies the requirement to renew Security+ - but it is not an automatic CompTIA stack renewal. Only a higher CompTIA cert (CySA+, PenTest+ or SecurityX) renews Security+ automatically. CISSP renews it via the CEU route.
Does CySA+ or PenTest+ renew Security+?+
Yes. Passing CySA+ or PenTest+ automatically renews Security+, Network+ and A+ if held - no separate CEUs needed. SecurityX renews all of those plus CySA+ and PenTest+.
How do I renew a CompTIA certification?+
Three routes: earn the required CEUs and pay the annual CE fee via CertMaster CE; pass a higher-level CompTIA cert that auto-renews it; or retake the current exam. The CEU route is cheapest for most holders.
Not a CompTIA cert? Use the multi-vendor Certification Expiry Calculator or browse all free tools.
How to Renew CompTIA Security+: The Complete Guide
CEU activities, fees, deadlines and documentation - every path to keeping Security+ current.
Read the guide →Which Certifications Renew CompTIA Security+?
The full breakdown of CompTIA's stackable renewal model - which exams auto-renew Security+ and which only count as CEUs.
Read the guide →Never miss a CompTIA renewal again
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