Renew CompTIA Security+: A Complete Guide

A lot of people aren’t sure how to renew CompTIA Security+, especially when it comes to the specific steps, timelines, and education requirements involved. If you’re one of them, you’re not alone – many certified professionals find the renewal process a bit confusing. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know: the CompTIA Security+ CE renewal requirements and how to renew CompTIA Security+.

What are the CompTIA Security+ renewal requirements?

CompTIA Security+ renewal requirements

To successfully renew your CompTIA Security+ certification, you must fulfill two main requirements: earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and pay the renewal fee. These requirements are designed to ensure that certified professionals continue to grow their knowledge and stay current in the fast-changing field of cybersecurity.

However, many candidates are unsure how to properly earn CEUs or how much the renewal fee actually is. Below, we will break down each requirement in detail to help you confidently navigate the renewal process.

Earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) 

You need to earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within a three-year renewal cycle. What is CEU? A CEU (Continuing Education Unit) is equivalent to one hour of learning or activity that helps enhance your cybersecurity knowledge or technical skills. These CEUs must be related to the Security+ exam objectives and demonstrate your ongoing development in cybersecurity knowledge and skills.

Pay the renewal fee 

You need to pay close to $150 as required by CompTIA to complete the CompTIA Security+ renewal process. This fee is paid through your CompTIA certification account when submitting your CEUs.

Renewing your certification is essential to uphold your credentials and demonstrate that your knowledge remains current in a rapidly evolving field. A renewed and up-to-date certification reflects your continued commitment to professional growth and ensures that your skills align with the latest industry standards.

How to renew CompTIA Security+?

How to renew CompTIA Security+?

This section of the blog throws light on the three steps that one needs to go through for a CompTIA Security+ renewal.

Step 1: Earn 50 ComTIA Security+ Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

The first and most popular way to renew CompTIA Security+ is by earning 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within a three-year renewal cycle. According to CompTIA guidelines, each CEU equals one hour of eligible activity, and these activities must align with the objectives of the Security+ exam. You can earn CEUs in several ways, including:

• Attend webinars & conferences: Participating in cybersecurity-related webinars or industry events. Typically, 1 hour of attendance = 1 CEU.
• Publish blogs or whitepapers: Write professional content on IT security topics.
• Complete relevant training or academic courses.
• Gain relevant work experience in cybersecurity roles.
• Take part in industry activities, such as being a speaker or panelist.

Once you’ve earned the required 50 CEUs, you must submit them through your CompTIA certification account and pay the annual CE renewal fees to complete the process.

Step 2: Pay the renewal fee

The next step is to pay the maintenance fee. This fee is typically $150 for most certifications. You cannot add Continuing Education Units (CEUs) until this fee has been paid. Once you’ve completed this payment, you’ll be able to move forward with adding CEUs to your profile.

Step 3: Submit CEUs before the expiration date

Once you’ve earned the required CEUs, go to CompTIA’s website and log in to your account. From there, you’ll:

• Select your certification: Choose the certification you want to renew, such as CompTIA Security+,…
• Submit your CEUs: Add the CEUs by selecting the activities you’ve completed.
• Wait for approval: After you submit the CEUs, CompTIA will review them. Once accepted, your highest-level certification (such as CASP+ or CISSP) will be renewed, and your lower-level certifications will be automatically renewed as well.

Other ways to renew CompTIA Security+

Other ways to renew CompTIA Security+

However, you are not interested in collecting CEUs? You still have other valid ways to renew CompTIA Security+:

• Earn a higher-level certification, such as CompTIA CySA+, CASP+, or PenTest+. When you achieve one of these, your Security+ certification is automatically renewed.
• Take the CertMaster CE Renewal Course: This self-paced online course is designed specifically for CompTIA Security+ CE renewal and satisfies all 50 CEUs in one go. It’s an efficient choice for professionals with limited time.
• Retake and pass the latest version of the Security+ exam: If you prefer testing, you can simply sit the updated exam and meet the renewal requirement that way.

Regardless of the method you choose, renewing CompTIA Security+ ensures your credentials remain active and respected in the industry. Stay ahead of the curve by planning early and picking the CompTIA Security+ renewal path that best suits your learning style and schedule.

FAQs

1. What happens if the CompTIA Security+ certification expires?

If your CompTIA Security+ certification expires, it is no longer considered valid, and you lose your certified status. You will not be able to renew it through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) after the 90-day grace period. Instead, you will need to retake and pass the latest version of the Security+ exam to regain certification. This ensures compliance with ISO/ANSI standards and reflects up-to-date knowledge in cybersecurity.

2. How much does it cost to renew the CompTIA Security+ certification?

There are two main renewal paths, each with different costs:

• CE Program (Annual Fees + CEUs): You must earn 50 CEUs over 3 years and pay $50 annually, totaling $150 during the renewal cycle.
• CertMaster CE (One-time Course): You can complete the CertMaster CE course to earn all 50 CEUs at once. The one-time cost ranges from $133 to $205, depending on region and provider. No additional CE fees are required if you choose this option.

Conclusion

Understanding how to renew CompTIA Security+ ensures you’re not caught off guard when your renewal deadline approaches. While the renewal process may seem complicated, there are multiple ways to earn the required CEUs, and many certifications automatically renew others when the highest-level certification is renewed. Don’t wait until your certification is close to expiring – renew CompTIA Security+ proactively.