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.
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 with desktop and notebook computers, as well as with tablets and smartphones using their Web browsers. 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, you can follow the steps shown on the Forgot Password page, or get additional information on our Help pages.
Which CompTIA certifications expire?
CompTIA A+, CompTIA Data+, CompTIA DataSys+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Linux+, CompTIA Cloud+, CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+).
Do I have to enroll in the CompTIA CE Program?
No. When you earn your CompTIA A+, CompTIA Data+, CompTIA DataSys+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Linux+, CompTIA Cloud+, CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) certifications, the certification is automatically enrolled in CE Program.
What is the renewal timeframe for my certification?
You have three years from the date your certification was earned or renewed to complete the CE Program requirements to remain certified. Learn more about the renewal cycle.
How do I renew my certification(s)?
To renew your certification you will need to pay your annual CE fees and earn the required number of CEUs prior to 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.
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):
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 Cloud+ is in the CE Program, earning or renewing this certification will only renew A+, Network+ and Linux+.
Top of pageWhen do I need to pay for my CE?
You can pay your fees in annual installments for the first, second and third year of your renewal period or you can pay the entire amount. Example: If you earned/renewed a certification on September 29, 2021, your annual payments are due as follows:
If you paid your first CE fee September 1, 2022, another CE fee would have been due September 29, 2022.
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 have made CE payments already. Can you refund what I’ve already paid?
Refunds are not available. It is important that you do not make CE fee payments unless you have already earned CEUs and are ready to upload.
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 download 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. Your CEUs will be automatically accepted once you submitted them and audits are 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.
Does CompTIA provide a list of pre-approved training that is valid for CEUs?
CompTIA provides a list of known industry vendor and certification provider pre-approved training by certification.
What other IT industry certifications can I use towards renewing my CompTIA certification?
A list of other IT Industry certifications that can be used towards renewing your CompTIA certification can be found on the How to Renew Your CompTIA Certification page.
Do I earn CEUs toward a higher-level CompTIA certification when I earn a lower-level CompTIA certification?
In some cases. Please see detailed information in the
certification hierarchy chart. Renewing CompTIA A+ does not earn CEUs toward other certifications.
What additional renewal information is available for DoD employees?
For compliance with DoD 8570.01-M, as of January 1, 2011, the U.S. DoD no longer recognizes CompTIA’s good-for-life (GFL) certifications. Individuals certified after December 31, 2010, are in compliance with DoD 8570.01-M for three years from their certification date and are automatically entered in the CompTIA CE Program. Note that DoD CE Program participants must pay an annual fee as part of their successful program completion. The DoD 8570.01-M compliance also pertains to government contractors.
CompTIA Certifications (Partial Renewal / Full Renewal)
Non-CompTIA IT Industry Certifications (Partial Renewal / Full Renewal)
If you have questions about specific stages of the certification renewal process, head over to our Help pages to find additional information, or contact our customer service team.
