How to Renew CompTIA A+ (220-1201/1202): The Complete CEU Guide

A+ is valid for three years, and keeping it active is easier than most beginners expect. This guide covers exactly how to renew A+: how many continuing education units (CEUs) you need, which certifications renew it automatically, the fees, and how to submit before it expires.

For how CompTIA renewal works across all certifications, see the general CEU guide. This article is A+-specific.

The essentials

• Validity: 3 years from the date you pass (both Core 1 and Core 2 renew together as one A+ certification).
• CEUs required: 20 within the three-year cycle.
• CE fee: about $50 per year (roughly $150 total).
• No grace period: if it expires, you must retake the current exams.

The 20 CEU requirement

A+ sits at the foundation of the CompTIA stack, so its CEU requirement is the lowest — 20 CEUs over three years, where one CEU is roughly one hour of a qualifying activity. Because A+ is a single certification covering two exams, you renew it as one credential (you don't renew Core 1 and Core 2 separately). You can reach 20 CEUs by mixing activities:

• Training and courses — about one CEU per training hour; the most flexible route.
• College coursework — commonly around 10 CEUs per qualifying class, so a single relevant class covers half your requirement.
• Industry certifications — other IT certifications can count as CEUs.
• Conferences, webinars, teaching, and publishing — all earn CEUs with documentation.

Activities should be at least 50% relevant to the A+ objectives, with proper documentation. At just 20 CEUs, A+ is one of the easier certifications to renew through activities alone.

The shortcut: certifications that auto-renew A+

Here's what makes A+ renewal especially simple: because it's at the bottom of the stack, almost any higher CompTIA certification renews it automatically — with no CEU submission and the fee waived. That includes:

• Network+
• Security+
• CySA+, PenTest+, and SecurityX

If your career is moving forward at all, you'll likely earn one of these within three years — and doing so renews A+ automatically. For many people, A+ never needs a manual CEU renewal because they've moved up the stack by then.

Note that non-CompTIA certifications (like a vendor or ISC2 credential) can count toward your 20 CEUs, but they're submitted manually and don't trigger automatic renewal.

Fees

A+ renewal carries a continuing education fee of about $50 per year, roughly $150 across the three-year cycle — much less than retaking two exams. If you renew by earning a higher CompTIA certification, the A+ renewal fee is waived.

How to renew, step by step

1. Note your expiration date the day you certify, and plan backward.
2. Choose your route: earning a higher certification (Network+ or above), or accumulating 20 CEUs from activities.
3. Log CEUs as you earn them in your CompTIA account (CertMaster CE).
4. Upload documentation for each activity.
5. Pay the CE fee and submit before your expiration date. No grace period.

Which route is right for you?

• Continuing your IT journey? You'll almost certainly earn Network+ or Security+ within three years — that renews A+ automatically. See the certification roadmap to plan your next step.
• Staying at the A+ level for now? Just 20 CEUs over three years — very manageable through training and activities.

As an Authorized CompTIA Partner, we carry official training and vouchers — useful whether you're renewing through CEUs or moving up to Network+ or Security+. Our related guides cover how to renew Network+ and how to renew Security+.

FAQ

How many CEUs do I need to renew A+? 20 CEUs within your three-year cycle — the lowest requirement of the major CompTIA certifications — or renew automatically by earning a higher certification.

Which certifications automatically renew A+? Network+, Security+, CySA+, PenTest+, and SecurityX all renew A+ automatically, since they're above it in the stack.

Do I renew Core 1 and Core 2 separately? No. A+ is a single certification covering both exams, and it renews as one credential.

Do non-CompTIA certifications count? They can count toward your 20 CEUs (submitted manually) but don't trigger automatic renewal.

What does A+ renewal cost? About $50 per year (roughly $150 over three years), or the fee is waived if you renew via a higher CompTIA certification.

What happens if A+ expires? You lose certified status immediately with no grace period, and must retake the current version of the exams.