Security+ Renewal: How Long It Is Valid and How to Renew
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Security+ is valid for three years from the date you pass, according to CompTIA's certification renewal policy, with a 30-day grace period to submit continuing education units or pay outstanding fees. You can renew by earning continuing education units without retaking the exam, but you cannot renew by passing the same exam twice, and a lapsed certification requires passing the latest exam. CompTIA's policy page does not state the CEU count or fee in the page text, so this guide flags those as items to verify on CompTIA's continuing education pages.
How Long Security+ Is Valid
According to CompTIA's certification renewal policy, Security+ is among the certifications that expire three years from the certification date. CompTIA provides a 30-day grace period to pay any outstanding continuing education fees or submit continuing education units (CEUs) earned within the original three-year cycle.
Ways to Keep It Current
CompTIA's policy says renewal is possible by earning CEUs, without retaking the exam. Activities counted toward CEUs must be completed within the three-year cycle. If a certification is not renewed, you must pass the latest exam version to regain it, and you cannot renew by taking and passing the exact same exam twice.
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What We Could Not Verify
CompTIA's renewal policy page does not state the number of CEUs required for Security+ or the continuing education fee amount in the page text. Many third-party sites quote figures, but we have not verified them on CompTIA's own pages, so check CompTIA's continuing education pages for the current CEU requirement, fee and the list of approved activities before you plan your renewal.
A Simple Renewal Plan
A little planning early in the cycle keeps renewal routine instead of urgent.
Note your certification date
Your three-year clock starts on the date you passed. Set a calendar reminder well before it ends and before the 30-day grace period.
Check CompTIA's current CE requirements
Confirm the number of CEUs, the fee and the approved activities on CompTIA's continuing education pages, since these can change.
Track activities as you go
Keep a record of training, work and learning activities during the cycle instead of gathering evidence in the last month.
Plan your next certification
If you intend to take a more advanced exam such as CySA+ or PenTest+, check CompTIA's current rules on whether earning it renews Security+.
If Your Security+ Version Retires
SY0-701 retires in English on June 11, 2027, which determines when that exam can no longer be taken. CompTIA's renewal policy bases validity on a three-year term from the certification date, and the pages we checked do not tie that term to an exam's retirement, but confirm with CompTIA if it affects your plans. See our guide to what changed in SY0-801 if you are choosing which version to take, and our guide to the CompTIA security path for what comes next.
The bottom line
Security+ lasts three years, plus a 30-day grace period, and can be renewed with continuing education units. Confirm the current CEU requirement and fee on CompTIA's own pages, track your activities as you go and avoid letting it lapse, since a lapsed certification means passing the latest exam.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Security+ valid?
According to CompTIA's certification renewal policy, Security+ expires three years from the certification date. CompTIA provides a 30-day grace period to pay outstanding CE fees or submit CEUs earned within the original cycle.
How do I renew Security+?
CompTIA's policy says you can renew by earning continuing education units without retaking the exam, if the activities are completed within the three-year cycle. If you do not renew, you must pass the latest exam version to regain the certification.
Can I renew Security+ by retaking the same exam?
No. CompTIA's renewal policy says holders cannot take and pass the exact same exam twice to renew. Renewal is through continuing education, or by passing the latest exam if the certification lapsed.
How many CEUs do I need for Security+?
CompTIA's renewal policy page does not state the number in the page text we checked. Check CompTIA's continuing education pages for the current requirement before you plan, since third-party figures may be out of date.
What is the Security+ grace period?
CompTIA provides a 30-day grace period to pay any outstanding CE fees or submit CEUs earned within the original three-year renewal cycle.
What happens if my Security+ expires?
If you do not renew, CompTIA's policy says you must pass the latest version of the exam to regain the certification. Renewing before the end of the cycle and grace period avoids that.
Does SY0-701 retiring affect my certification?
The retirement date, June 11, 2027 in English, determines when the SY0-701 exam can be taken. CompTIA's renewal policy bases validity on a three-year term from the certification date, and the pages we checked do not tie it to the exam's retirement. Confirm with CompTIA if it affects your plans.
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