In such a fast-paced field like cybersecurity, with new threats, tools, and best practices emerging like clockwork, continuous learning is essential to stay ahead and stay prepared. Certifications like CompTIA Security+ often require renewal to encourage holders to actively work towards keeping their skills current.
If you’ve been wondering exactly how to renew Security+ without overcomplicating the process, this guide will walk you through the key requirements and options step by step.
Let’s explore how to renew Security+ and examine the pros and cons of each one to help you determine what best supports your professional growth.
Understanding Security+ Renewal Requirements
To understand how you can renew Security+, it’s important to first learn about the basic details of the process.
Certification Validity Period
Your Security+ certification is valid for three years, starting from the date you pass your exam. During this period, you are expected to keep your skills and knowledge updated per current industry standards.
Required Continuing Education Units
To renew, you must earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within the three-year certification period. CEUs can be earned through a variety of approved activities that align with Security+ objectives.
The number of CEUs awarded for each activity depends on how extensive or challenging it is. This means you can earn all 50 CEUs at once by completing a single large task that meets the requirement, or you can accumulate them gradually through a series of smaller tasks over the three years.
Renewal Deadlines and Consequences
You must complete the entire renewal process before your certification’s expiration date. This includes not only earning the required number of CEUs but also submitting the necessary documentation to verify them (unless documentation is not required for your chosen renewal path) and paying the $150 renewal fee on time.
If you’re unable to finish all these steps by the time your certification expires, the only way to regain it is by retaking and passing the full Security+ exam.
Top Methods to Renew Your Security+ Certification
CompTIA provides multiple renewal paths for Security+, so whatever your professional goals, budget, or timeline may be, there’s an option that fits your needs.
CompTIA CertMaster CE: The Efficient eLearning Path
CertMaster CE is a self-paced online course designed to bridge any knowledge gaps you may have since earning your Security+ certification. Because the course content is aligned with the latest exam objectives, completing it renews your certification automatically without you having to retake the test.
The course typically takes eight to 10 hours to finish. To complete it, you must score 100% on all assessments, but don’t worry, because you can retake them as many times as you need. Best of all, renewing through CertMaster CE waives the CE fees.
Earning CEUs Through Multiple Activities
If you prefer more flexibility, you can maximize your renewal cycle by collecting CEUs through a mix of qualifying activities. Each activity is worth a different number of CEUs, depending on its level of difficulty.
Work Experience
If you’re employed in IT security, you can easily earn up to three CEUs per year, or nine CEUs throughout the three-year renewal window, by simply submitting your work experience.
Publishing
You can also earn CEUs by writing and publishing different forms of content tackling cybersecurity topics:
- Article or white paper: 16 CEUs
- Blog: 16 CEUs
- Book: 40 CEUs
IT Industry Participation
Participating in the IT industry is highly recommended by CompTIA, which is why activities such as the following can also earn you more CEUs:
- Teaching or mentorship: 20 CEUs
- Creating instructional materials: 20 CEUs
- Participation as an SME in a CompTIA workshop: 50 CEUs
Training Courses, Conferences, or Webinars
You already qualify for CEUs by simply learning more about cybersecurity. Depending on the type of educational activity you complete, you can even fill your 50-unit requirement in one go.
- Training course: 50 CEUs
- Live webinar: 10 CEUs
- Conference: 10 CEUs
- College course: 50 CEUs
- American Council on Education (ACE) course: 50 CEUs
CEUs can also be earned by completing selected non-CompTIA certifications.
How can you renew Security+ through this renewal path? You’ll need to submit proof of every activity you’ve completed. Each activity type has specific documentation requirements, so review them thoroughly to avoid missing anything.
Pursuing a Higher-Level CompTIA Certification
If you plan to earn CySA+ or PenTest+, it can serve as a shortcut for keeping your Security+ active. This is because earning a higher-level CompTIA certification automatically renews any lower-level certifications you hold, including Security+. This approach waives the CE fees and aligns your Security+ expiration date with the higher-level certification’s expiration date.
Retaking the Current Security+ Exam Version
You can also renew by simply retaking and passing the Security+ exam after your current certification expires. This approach also waives the Continuing Education (CE) fees and may be preferable if you’d rather not collect CEUs or if you have no plans to complete other certifications.
Looking for some exam prep guidance and mentoring?
Learn about our personal mentoring
Step-by-Step Renewal Process Guide
Taking the CE path for your Security+ renewal entails strictly following an established process. Keep track of each step to make sure you don’t miss your deadline.
Creating and Managing Your CompTIA Account
Start by confirming that you can access your CompTIA account. If needed, reset your password or create a new account on the CompTIA login page. Avoid creating duplicate accounts, as this can be a cause of delay.
Tracking Your CEUs
Log in to your account and open the Continuing Education dashboard. Here, you’ll be able to see how many CEUs you’ve already earned, how many you’re still missing, as well as how many days you have left in your renewal cycle.
Submitting Renewal Documentation
Once your qualifying activities are complete, add your CEUs through the CE portal and upload supporting documents. CompTIA may randomly audit your record, so make sure that each submission meets the program requirements.
Payment and Confirmation Steps
After your CEUs are approved, pay the $150 renewal fee or use CE tokens supplied by your employer. If you renew via CertMaster CE, a higher-level certification, or the latest exam, you no longer have to pay for the CE fees.
Once this step is done, expect CompTIA to confirm your renewal in your account shortly.
Cost Comparison of Security+ Renewal Methods
Renewal costs vary depending on what method you choose. Here’s an overview of the fees you can expect from each one to help you decide which path best fits your wallet:
Tips for Efficient and Cost-Effective Renewal
Renewing your Security+ certification doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With a bit of planning, you can fulfill requirements while boosting your career and minimizing costs.
Planning Your Renewal Strategy
Once you’ve decided on how to renew your Security+, it’s time to strategize. If you’ll be taking the CE route, map out your three-year cycle early on and spread out your activities evenly throughout the period to avoid having to cram the work too close to the deadline.
If you plan to pursue a higher-level certification or retake the Security+ exam, make sure you have ample time to prepare and study. Consider investing in quality study resources, such as Destination Certification’s Security+ boot camps or self-paced courses.
Leveraging Free CEU Opportunities
Collecting CEUs through multiple activities can leave you racking up a lot of extra expenses, but there are no-cost opportunities to earn units that you can take advantage of. Activities like blogging, attending free webinars, or gaining relevant work experience can cover a significant portion of your 50 CEUs without straining your budget. Just make sure that each activity is at least 50% related to Security+ objectives.
Combining Renewal with Career Advancement
Consider pursuing advanced certifications like CySA+, PenTest+, or CASP+. This not only maintains your Security+ certification but also boosts your resume and earning potential.
Certification in 1 Week
Study everything you need to know for the Security+ exam in a 1-week bootcamp!
Frequently Asked Questions
Got more questions about keeping your Security+ up-to-date? Here are the answers to the most common ones.
Yes! Earning or renewing your Security+ automatically extends any lower-level certifications you have.
You have a 90-day grace period to submit your CEUs or settle the CE fee, but this will not grant you extra time to earn new CEUs. All CEUs must be secured before your original expiration date.
If you fail to meet the 50-unit requirement, you can only renew your certification by retaking the Security+ exam.
Yes. It’s a popular choice for busy professionals, since it’s quicker than earning CEUs, renews your certification automatically upon completion, and waives the $150 fee.
Conclusion
Renewing your Security+ certification can be efficient and rewarding when you plan ahead. You can choose from a variety of renewal paths: collecting CEUs through qualifying activities, or having your credential extended automatically through higher-level CompTIA certifications or CertMaster CE.
If you happen to miss the deadline or simply prefer to retake the Security+ exam, Destination Certification can help you feel more confident in your exam preparation. Our self-paced Master Class keeps you up to date on the latest cybersecurity topics and exam objectives. And if you prefer a more immersive learning experience, we also offer a five-day bootcamp led by certification experts.
No matter how you renew Security+, it’s always a smart move that will keep your skills sharp and your career moving in the right direction.
Rob is the driving force behind the success of the Destination Certification CISSP program, leveraging over 15 years of security, privacy, and cloud assurance expertise. As a seasoned leader, he has guided numerous companies through high-profile security breaches and managed the development of multi-year security strategies. With a passion for education, Rob has delivered hundreds of globally acclaimed CCSP, CISSP, and ISACA classes, combining entertaining delivery with profound insights for exam success. You can reach out to Rob on LinkedIn.
Rob is the driving force behind the success of the Destination Certification CISSP program, leveraging over 15 years of security, privacy, and cloud assurance expertise. As a seasoned leader, he has guided numerous companies through high-profile security breaches and managed the development of multi-year security strategies. With a passion for education, Rob has delivered hundreds of globally acclaimed CCSP, CISSP, and ISACA classes, combining entertaining delivery with profound insights for exam success. You can reach out to Rob on LinkedIn.
