Security+ Exam Cost in 2026: Voucher Price, Retakes, and How to Pay Less
The Security+ exam costs $425 for a voucher in the US. Here is the 2026 price breakdown, the retake policy, and the legit ways to pay less, including student vouchers.
The CompTIA Security+ exam voucher costs $425 in the US, per CompTIA's store. That is the base number, but it is not the whole cost, and it is not the number that hurts most people. The number that hurts is the retake: a single voucher buys one attempt, so if you fail, the next attempt is another $425 out of pocket. The real cost of Security+ is the base voucher plus the risk of paying for it twice.
This is the honest 2026 cost breakdown: the voucher price, the retake policy, the all-in cost once you add study materials and renewal, and the legitimate ways to pay less. And because the retake is the expensive part, this is exactly where a pass guarantee stops being a marketing word and starts being real financial insurance.
Quick takeaways
- The Security+ SY0-701 voucher is $425 in the US, per CompTIA. Prices vary by region and change over time, so check the CompTIA store.
- One voucher equals one attempt. A retake means buying another voucher, so failing effectively doubles your exam cost.
- Retake policy: no mandatory wait between your first and second attempt; a 14-day wait applies from the third attempt onward, per CompTIA.
- All-in cost (voucher plus study materials plus renewal) commonly runs several hundred to over a thousand dollars.
- Legit ways to pay less: student and academic vouchers (often more than 50 percent off), retake bundles, and employer tuition assistance.
- PrepClubs is independent prep material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
The 2026 price breakdown
Prices float around online because people quote old numbers, walk-up retail rates, and regional prices interchangeably. Here is a clean US snapshot; treat these as current-as-of-2026 and verify the live figure at the CompTIA store, since CompTIA adjusts pricing periodically.
| Item | Approximate US cost |
|---|---|
| Security+ SY0-701 voucher (single attempt) | $425 |
| Voucher plus retake bundle | ~$474 |
| Academic or student voucher | Often more than 50 percent off |
| Renewal (every 3 years) | $150 plus 50 CEUs |
| Realistic all-in with study materials | $600 to $1,500+ |
The base voucher is the one hard number. Everything else depends on how you buy and how you study. Notice that the all-in figure is dominated not by the voucher but by study materials and, for the unlucky, a retake.
The retake policy, and why it is the real cost
Read the exam fee as insurance against one thing: a retake. Per CompTIA, one voucher buys one attempt. If you do not pass, you buy another voucher to sit again. The retake rules are:
- No mandatory waiting period between the first and second attempt. You can rebook quickly.
- From the third attempt onward, a 14-day wait is required between tries.
- Each attempt requires its own paid voucher.
So the true expected cost of Security+ is not $425; it is $425 times the number of attempts you need. Pass first time and you paid $425. Fail once and you are at $850 plus lost time. That single fact should change how you budget, because the cheapest way to control exam cost is not a discount code; it is not failing.
The legit ways to pay less
Skip the sketchy "discount voucher" resellers and use the real discounts.
- Student and academic vouchers. If you are a student or affiliated with an academic institution, CompTIA's academic store often sells vouchers at more than 50 percent off. This is the single biggest legitimate saving and the most under-used.
- Retake bundles. Buying a voucher-plus-retake bundle up front is cheaper than buying two separate vouchers if you think there is any chance you will need a second attempt. It is a hedge, priced like one.
- Employer tuition assistance. Under IRS Section 127, employers can provide up to $5,250 per year in tax-free educational assistance. Many will fund a Security+ voucher and materials if you ask. This is free money a lot of candidates never claim.
- Bundle with training. CompTIA sometimes bundles a voucher with CertMaster or a retake at a lower combined price than buying each separately.
What to avoid: third-party sites selling "cheap" vouchers well below CompTIA's price. Some are legitimate resellers, but many are region-locked or invalid, and a voucher that will not redeem is not a saving.
Where the Pass Guarantee fits
Here is the part no voucher reseller will tell you. The financial risk in Security+ is concentrated in the retake, and a retake is $425 you would rather not spend twice. A pass guarantee is designed to sit exactly on that risk. If your prep comes with a guarantee that extends your access when you do not pass the first time, then the cost of a stumble is study time, not another voucher purchased in a panic. It does not pay CompTIA's fee for you, and no honest prep provider claims it does, but it removes the "I have to buy the whole study package again" hit. Framed against a $425 retake, that is meaningful insurance, not a slogan.
FAQ
How much does the Security+ exam cost?
The Security+ SY0-701 voucher costs $425 in the US, per CompTIA's store. Prices vary by country and change over time, so confirm the current figure directly with CompTIA. That price covers a single exam attempt.
How much does a Security+ retake cost?
A retake costs another full voucher, so approximately $425 in the US. One voucher equals one attempt. If you fail and want to try again, you buy a new voucher. This is why the effective cost of Security+ can be much higher than the sticker price.
Is there a waiting period to retake Security+?
There is no mandatory wait between your first and second attempts, per CompTIA, so you can rebook relatively quickly. From the third attempt onward, a 14-day waiting period applies between each try.
How can I get the Security+ exam cheaper?
The biggest legitimate discount is a student or academic voucher, often more than 50 percent off through CompTIA's academic store. Retake bundles, employer tuition assistance (up to $5,250 per year tax-free under IRS Section 127), and official training bundles are other real ways to lower the cost. Avoid unofficial discount-voucher resellers.
What is the total cost to get Security+ certified?
Beyond the $425 voucher, budget for study materials and, eventually, renewal ($150 plus 50 CEUs every three years). A realistic all-in figure ranges from around $600 to over $1,500 depending on how much you spend on prep and whether you need a retake.
Does the exam fee include a retake?
No. A standard voucher covers one attempt only. If you want retake protection, buy a voucher-plus-retake bundle up front, which is cheaper than two separate vouchers. Otherwise, a second attempt is a second full purchase.
Related on PrepClubs
- Is Security+ Worth It in 2026? What the Cert Actually Does for Entry-Level Pay
- Security+ CEUs and Renewal: How to Keep SY0-701 Active Without Retaking It
- How Hard Is Security+? An Honest Difficulty Read for Career Switchers
The sticker price of Security+ is $425, but the cost that actually stings is a retake, and the way to control it is to walk in ready. PrepClubs runs a free 25-question Security+ diagnostic so you can gauge your readiness before you buy a voucher, then a paid bank of full-length practice tests with written rationales to close the gaps. It is a one-time purchase with 30 days of access, not a subscription, and it is built to make that $425 a one-time expense. If you prepare with PrepClubs and do not pass your real test, we extend your access at no extra cost. No fine print. PrepClubs has helped more than 1,600 students prepare for cognitive and certification assessments. Start with the free Security+ diagnostic.
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