How to save money on your IT certifications (2024 Refresh)

Getting an IT certification is an investment in your career. But with every investment comes a cost. Here are six ways to save money.

Voucher Discounts How to Save Money on Your IT CertificationsGetting an IT certification is an investment in your career. Whether you’re just starting out in IT or preparing for your next move, having a CompTIA performance certification can not only get your foot in the door for an interview, but also prove to employers that you have the hands-on skills they’re looking for.

But with every investment comes a cost. The retail price for exam vouchers can be daunting, but there are ways to save money. Here are five ways to be cost effective on your next CompTIA exam.

CompTIA Promotions Around the World

Looking for promotions in other locations? Check out these articles:
How To Save in the UK
How To Save in India

5 Ways to Save Money on Vouchers

In general, there are five ways to save money on your CompTIA exam voucher. Some discounts are available to anyone and some are only available to students or as part of a training program. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main types of voucher promotions. Keep reading for the details.

Type of Voucher Promotion

How Much Can You Save?

Who Is Eligible?

Bundle

Varies by bundle

Anyone

Financing Options

Split up the total cost into smaller payments

Based on financing approval

Academic Store

40 to 65%

Current students

Training/College Courses

Up to 100%

Eligibility varies

 Employer Reimbursement Please check with your employer Anyone who works for an employer that offers a discount

1. Save with a Bundle

Purchasing a bundle is the easiest way for anyone to save some money. CompTIA combines exam vouchers with training materials into bundles to help you fully prepare for your certification exam and save up to 46%* off the retail price. Many bundles include the exam voucher, training materials and a retake voucher in case you don’t pass your exam on the first try. With a bundle, you can go into your exam with confidence knowing that you’ve set yourself up for success.

CompTIA offers three types of bundles, and most of them include the following products:

CompTIA Bundle Type

What’s Included in the Bundle?

Basic Bundle

Official CompTIA Study Guide eBook, an exam voucher and an exam retake voucher.

Exam Prep Bundle

Official CompTIA Study Guide, CompTIA CertMaster Practice, an exam voucher and an exam retake voucher.

eLearning Bundle

CompTIA CertMaster Learn + Labs, an exam voucher and an exam retake voucher.


Many CompTIA exam vouchers can be purchased as part of a bundle, and more may be added in the future. When you’re ready to buy a voucher, check out the bundles in the CompTIA Store first. (When you're in the CompTIA Store, hover over or click "Bundles" in the menu bar. Bundles and pricing are subject to change. Discounts vary based on product.)

2. Buy Now, Pay Later with Financing Options

Did you know you can split up the cost of your CompTIA training products and exam vouchers into smaller payments? The CompTIA Store offers financing from Affirm, with rates as low as 0% that can be paid over 3, 6 or 12 months with no hidden fees. Learn more about CompTIA financing options.

3. Student Voucher Promotions

Actively registered students of four-year-degree institutions (and some two-year institutions) in the United States can get 40% off vouchers and 65% off learning products in the CompTIA Academic Store.

How to Apply a CompTIA Student Promotion

  1. Go to the CompTIA Academic Store.
  2. Promotions are already applied and reflected in the prices you see in the CompTIA Academic Store, so simply add the item(s) you want to your cart. Please note there are limitations on quantity and frequency of purchases.
  3. Upon checkout, enter your student information for CompTIA to verify. You may be asked to upload supporting documentation.
  4. Start studying and get certified!

4. Other Voucher Promotions

Depending on where you live and what you qualify for, you may be able to get trained and certified for free (or nearly free). Government agencies and nonprofits offer free IT training programs that include certifications. If you don’t qualify for these free programs, you may be able to find a paid training program or college course that includes the certification. Learn more about programs that help you save money on CompTIA A+.

5. Employer Reimbursement

If you're looking for ways to spice up your career, it doesn't hurt to ask your current employer if they offer employee benefits for tuition reimbursement or professional development options. Some employers will offer you a discount towards getting your next certification.

Are you an employer open to reimbursing employees for certification exams?
Learn More about CompTIA's Custom Training Solutions.

Getting an IT certification is an investment that will pay back in spades. But, if you need a more economical way to get certified, you have options. Bundles, discounts and training programs that include certifications can all help you save money when buying a voucher.

How To Get a CompTIA Exam Voucher

You know which certification you need, and you know how to save. So how do you get started? We recommend purchasing vouchers and training solutions directly from the CompTIA Store, the CompTIA Academic Store or a CompTIA Authorized Partner.

How Long Is a CompTIA Exam Voucher Valid?

A CompTIA exam voucher is valid for 12 months from the date you received it. A voucher expiration date cannot be extended under any circumstances. A purchased voucher can be used for any version of the certification exam as long as it’s used before it expires. You must register and take your certification exam prior to the voucher expiration date. Review the CompTIA voucher terms and conditions for more details or check out our FAQs.

What Does This Mean for IT Professionals?

It means you can continue to upskill! IT certifications are an investment in yourself – and your career – but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Take advantage of CompTIA offers, promo codes and deluxe bundles that will help you pass your next CompTIA certification exam. Good luck!

Learn the skills you need with CompTIA CertMaster Learn. Sign up today for a free trial today!

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