CompTIA Continuing Education Program FAQ

Lost in continuing education? Browse our Continuing Education (CE) pages to find answers on how to renew your CompTIA certification. This FAQ answers the most commonly asked CE questions from our certification holders.

Continuing Education (CE) Program

What is the URL to log in to my certification account?

You can log in here.

What are the system requirements and browser support?

You can manage your certification account using the Web browsers of desktop and notebook computers, tablets, and smartphones. All common Web browsers are supported, including Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and higher, Microsoft Edge, and current versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera.

Forgot password, exam registration number, or Candidate ID.

If you need help resetting your password or retrieving your exam registration number or Candidate ID, follow the steps on the Forgot Password page or get additional information on our help pages.

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Certification renewal process

Which CompTIA certifications expire?

CompTIA A+
CompTIA Data+
CompTIA DataX
CompTIA DataSys+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA Cloud+
CompTIA CloudNetX
CompTIA PenTest+
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
CompTIA SecurityX

Do I have to enroll in the CompTIA CE Program?

No. When you earn the following certifications, the certification is automatically enrolled in the CE Program:

CompTIA A+
CompTIA Data+
CompTIA DataSys+
CompTIA DataX
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA Cloud+
CompTIA CloudNetX
CompTIA PenTest+
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
CompTIA SecurityX

What is the renewal timeframe for my certification?

To remain certified, you must complete the CE Program requirements within three years of earning or renewing your certification. Learn more about the renewal cycle.

How do I renew my certification(s)?

To renew your certification, you must pay your annual CE fees and earn the required number of CEUs before your expiration date. Learn more about how to renew your certification.

Can I renew my CompTIA certification by passing another CompTIA exam?

CompTIA certifications can be renewed if a higher-level CompTIA certification is earned. If you earn a higher-level CompTIA certification to fulfill your renewal requirements, you don’t need to pay the CE fees for the lower CompTIA certification. See CompTIA certification hierarchy.

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Multiple certification renewal

I have more than one CompTIA certification. Do I need to renew each one separately?

Renewing your highest-level CompTIA certification will automatically renew lower-level certifications. Learn more about renewing multiple certifications.

How do I know what is a higher-level CompTIA certification and what is lower?

The hierarchy is as follows: (from high to low):

SecurityX
CySA+, PenTest+
Security+
Network+
A+

Although Linux+ is in the CE Program, earning or renewing this certification will only renew A+.

Although Data+ is in the CE Program, earning or renewing this certification will not renew any other CompTIA certifications.

Although DataSys+ is in the CE Program, earning or renewing this certification will not renew any other CompTIA certifications.

Although DataX is in the CE Program, earning or renewing this certification will not renew any other CompTIA certifications.

Although Cloud+ is in the CE Program, earning or renewing this certification will only renew A+, Network+, and Linux+.

Although CloudNetX+ is in the CE Program, earning or renewing this certification will not renew any other CompTIA certifications.

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Continuing Education fees

When do I need to pay CE fees?

You are not required to pay your Continuing Education (CE) fees annually. CE fees should only be paid if you are renewing your certification(s) by uploading CEUs, and they must be paid by the certification's expiration date. These due dates are based on your CE renewal cycle, not the calendar year.

Example: If you earned/renewed a certification on September 29, 2025, all CE fees must be paid by September 29, 2028.

What are the fees for the CE Program?

Get an overview on the CE fees page.

Where do I pay CE fees?

To pay CE fees, you need to log in to your certification account.

I paid my CE fees, so why is my certification not renewed?

Paying CE fees alone will not renew your CompTIA certification(s). You must also complete and submit CE activities to earn CEUs. Learn more about CE Program Activities.

I have more than one CompTIA certification. Do I need to pay CE fees for each certification?

You only need to pay CE fees for your highest-level certification.

Do I have to pay CE fees separately for each year, or can I pay for the entire three-year period right away?

You can choose to pay your CE fees annually or all at once. However, in order to renew your certification, all CE fees must be paid.

I do not have enough CEUs to recertify, but I have already made CE payments. Can you refund what I’ve already paid?

Refunds are not available. You should not make CE fee payments unless you have already earned CEUs and are ready to upload them.

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Earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

What are CEUs?

CEUs are earned through the completion of continuing education activities. Learn more about earning CEUs.

What activities do I need to complete in order to renew my certification?

For a list of activity types, check out the CE Program activities summary.

Where do I submit my CEUs?

Once you complete your CE activities, you’ll need to enter the activity details and upload the required documents into your CompTIA certification account.

Can I ask CompTIA to review my CEUs before I submit them?

CompTIA cannot meet all individual requests to review CEUs. Once you submit them, your CEUs will be automatically accepted, and audits will be performed randomly.

How can I be certain my CEUs are valid?

If you can answer yes to these four questions you can be certain your CEUs meet the CE Program requirements. Refer to the CE Program activities summary for details.

Is it an approved CE activity type?
Does at least 50% of the activity content relate to one or more of the exam objectives for the certification you’re renewing?
Do you have the required documentation for your CE activity?
Was the activity completed within your three-year CE renewal cycle?

Does CompTIA provide a list of pre-approved training that is valid for CEUs?

CompTIA provides a list of known industry vendors and certification providers with pre-approved training by certification.

What other IT industry certifications can I use to renew my CompTIA certification?

The How to Renew Your CompTIA Certification page provides a list of other IT industry certifications that can be used to renew your CompTIA certification.

Do I earn CEUs toward a higher-level CompTIA certification when I earn a lower-level CompTIA certification?

In some cases, renewing CompTIA A+ does not earn CEUs toward other certifications. Please see the detailed information in the certification hierarchy chart.

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DoD requirements

What additional renewal information is available for DoD employees?

To comply with DoD 8570.01-M, the U.S. Department of Defense no longer recognizes CompTIA's good-for-life (GFL) certifications as of January 1, 2011. Certifications earned after December 31, 2010, are valid for three years from the certification date and are automatically enrolled in the CompTIA CE Program. To maintain compliance, you must complete the CE requirements as part of the program. The DoD 8570.01-M compliance also pertains to government contractors.

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