Security+ CEUs and Renewal: How to Keep SY0-701 Active Without Retaking It
Renew your CompTIA Security+ without retaking the exam. The 50-CEU requirement, the renewal fee, the 3-year cycle, and a cheap or free path to keep SY0-701 active.
If you already hold CompTIA Security+, renewal does not mean retaking the exam. It means earning continuing education units (CEUs) over your three-year cycle and paying a renewal fee, and if you plan it even a little, you can keep SY0-701 active without ever sitting the test again. The number to remember is 50 CEUs within the 3-year period, per CompTIA's Continuing Education program.
One quick note before we start, because search engines confuse the two: this article is about renewing the CompTIA Security+ certification, not a state security guard license. If you landed here looking to renew a guard license in New York, Florida, or elsewhere, this is not that. For everyone renewing their IT cert, here is the full CEU-and-fee playbook, including the cheapest and closest-to-free ways to hit 50 CEUs.
Quick takeaways
- Security+ is valid for three years from your pass date. To renew, earn 50 CEUs within that window and pay the renewal fee.
- The standard CompTIA renewal fee is $150 for the CEU-submission path, per CompTIA. Some paths waive it entirely.
- You can renew without retaking the exam. Retaking is only necessary if your cert lapses.
- CertMaster CE is the fastest self-contained route: one CompTIA course that covers all 50 CEUs and waives the separate fee.
- Earning a higher-level CompTIA cert (like CySA+ or PenTest+) also renews Security+ automatically.
- PrepClubs is independent prep material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
How Security+ renewal actually works
Security+ is a CE-program certification, which means it expires unless you keep it active. Per CompTIA, the rules are straightforward:
| Renewal element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Validity period | 3 years from your pass date |
| CEUs required | 50 within the 3-year cycle |
| Renewal fee (CEU path) | $150 (waived on some paths) |
| Grace period | CEUs must be earned before your expiration date |
| If it lapses | You must retake the current exam (SY0-701) |
The mechanics: as you earn CEUs, you log them in your CompTIA certification account, upload documentation, and pay the fee when you renew. Renewing Security+ also renews any lower or equal CompTIA certifications you hold under the same account, so you are not paying separately for each. The whole system is designed so that active professionals stay certified through the work and learning they are already doing.
The ways to earn 50 CEUs
CompTIA credits a range of activities. Values below are the commonly cited amounts; confirm the exact figure for any activity against CompTIA's official CE activity chart before you rely on it, because the program updates periodically.
| Activity | Approximate CEUs |
|---|---|
| Complete CertMaster CE for Security+ | 50 (covers the full requirement) |
| Earn a higher-level CompTIA cert (CySA+, PenTest+, SecurityX) | Renews automatically |
| Earn a non-CompTIA industry cert (from approved vendors) | Varies, often substantial |
| Complete a relevant training course or college course | Up to 50 |
| Publish an article, white paper, or blog post | Around 16 each |
| Attend an industry conference | Around 10 |
| Attend a webinar | Around 10 |
| Teach or mentor on relevant topics | Around 20 |
| Relevant work experience | 3 per year, up to a capped total |
That table hides the real decision, which is not "can I earn CEUs" but "what is the cheapest, fastest path for me." So rank the routes.
The cheapest and fastest paths, ranked
- Fastest all-in-one: CertMaster CE. It is a single CompTIA course, roughly 8 to 10 hours, that awards all 50 CEUs and waives the separate renewal fee. If you want to be done in a weekend, this is the route. Expect it to cost roughly a couple hundred dollars for the course itself.
- Best if you are advancing anyway: earn a higher-level cert. If your next career step is CySA+, PenTest+, or SecurityX, passing it renews Security+ automatically. You get a new credential and a renewal in one move.
- Closest to free: stack free and low-cost activities. A few CEUs per year of documented work experience, plus free vendor webinars (many worth around 10 CEUs each), plus a free or cheap industry certification from an approved vendor, can add up to 50 over three years at little or no cost. It takes more record-keeping, but it can get your out-of-pocket close to just the renewal fee.
- Renew a whole stack at once: because renewing Security+ also renews lower-level CompTIA certs you hold, time your CEU submission to cover A+ and Network+ in the same cycle if you hold them.
What happens if you let it lapse
If your three years pass and you have not renewed, Security+ becomes inactive, and there is no CEU catch-up: your only way back is to retake and pass the current exam, SY0-701. That is a $425 voucher and a full study cycle to recover something a handful of CEUs would have preserved. The lesson is simple: track your cycle and knock out CEUs early rather than scrambling in month 35.
FAQ
How much does it cost to renew Security+?
The standard renewal fee for the CEU-submission path is $150, per CompTIA. However, some renewal paths waive the fee entirely, including completing CertMaster CE or earning a higher-level CompTIA certification. Confirm current pricing on CompTIA's site before you pay.
How many CEUs do I need to renew Security+?
Fifty CEUs within your three-year certification cycle. You can earn them through CompTIA courses like CertMaster CE, other certifications, training, conferences, webinars, publishing, teaching, or documented work experience.
Can I renew Security+ without retaking the exam?
Yes. That is the whole point of the CE program. As long as you earn 50 CEUs and pay any applicable fee before your expiration date, you renew without retaking. Retaking the exam is only required if you let the certification lapse.
Does earning a higher CompTIA certification renew Security+?
Yes. Earning a higher-level CompTIA certification such as CySA+, PenTest+, or SecurityX renews Security+ automatically, and it also renews any lower-level CompTIA certs you hold in the same account. It is often the most efficient path if you are advancing anyway.
What happens if my Security+ expires?
The certification becomes inactive and cannot be renewed with CEUs after the fact. To regain it, you must retake and pass the current exam (SY0-701). That means a full exam voucher and study cycle, which is why staying ahead of your CEU deadline matters.
Do non-CompTIA certifications count toward Security+ CEUs?
Yes. Certifications from approved industry vendors (major cloud, networking, and security providers) can count toward your 50 CEUs. Check CompTIA's list of approved certifications and the CEU value for each before assuming it qualifies.
Related on PrepClubs
- CompTIA Security+ Exam Objectives (SY0-701): The Full Domain Breakdown
- Is Security+ Worth It in 2026? What the Cert Actually Does for Entry-Level Pay
- How Hard Is Security+? An Honest Difficulty Read for Career Switchers
Renewing Security+ is a planning problem, not a re-exam problem: earn your 50 CEUs early, pick the path that fits your budget, and you never have to sit SY0-701 again. But if you do let it lapse and face a retake, the cost of failing that exam is what hurts, which is where preparing properly the first time pays off. PrepClubs runs a free 25-question Security+ diagnostic and a paid bank of full-length practice tests with written rationales for anyone taking or retaking SY0-701. It is a one-time purchase with 30 days of access, not a subscription. 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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