How to Renew CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003): The Complete CEU Guide

CySA+ is valid for three years, and renewing it is straightforward once you understand the Continuing Education program. This guide covers exactly how to renew CySA+: 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 CySA+-specific.

The essentials

• Validity: 3 years from the date you pass.
• CEUs required: 60 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 exam.

The 60 CEU requirement

As a higher-level security certification, CySA+ requires 60 CEUs over your three-year cycle — more than Security+'s 50, reflecting its level. One CEU is roughly one hour of a qualifying activity, and you can mix activities to reach the total:

• Training and courses — about one CEU per training hour; the most flexible route. Choose training relevant to threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and incident response.
• College coursework — commonly around 10 CEUs per qualifying class.
• 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 CySA+ objectives, with proper documentation.

The shortcut: certifications that auto-renew CySA+

Passing a higher-level CompTIA certification automatically renews CySA+ — with no CEU submission and the fee waived. The main routes are:

• SecurityX (formerly CASP+) — grants the full 60 CEUs and renews CySA+.
• PenTest+ — also qualifies as a higher/qualifying certification for CySA+ renewal.

Because CySA+ sits high in the security stack, fewer certifications sit above it — so the natural stacking route is SecurityX, the expert-level credential. Note too that earning CySA+ itself renews the certifications beneath it (Security+, Network+, A+) automatically.

A couple of notes:

• Non-CompTIA certifications (ISC2, GIAC, EC-Council, ISACA, and others) can count toward your 60 CEUs, but they're submitted manually and don't trigger automatic renewal.
• Check the current approved list — eligible certifications can change when exam objectives update.

Fees

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

How to renew, step by step

1. Note your expiration date the day you pass, and plan backward.
2. Choose your route: stacking SecurityX (or another qualifying higher certification), or earning 60 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?

• Advancing toward expert-level security? Earning SecurityX before CySA+ expires renews it automatically and moves your career forward. See the certification roadmap.
• Staying at analyst level for now? Accumulate 60 CEUs from training and activities relevant to cybersecurity analysis over the three years.

As an Authorized CompTIA Partner, we carry official training and vouchers. Our related guides cover how to renew Security+ and how to renew PenTest+.

FAQ

How many CEUs do I need to renew CySA+? 60 CEUs within your three-year cycle, or renew automatically by passing a higher-level qualifying CompTIA certification.

Which certifications automatically renew CySA+? SecurityX (formerly CASP+) grants the full 60 CEUs and renews it; PenTest+ also qualifies. Check CompTIA's current approved list, as it can change.

Does earning CySA+ renew my other certifications? Yes. CySA+ automatically renews the lower certifications beneath it — Security+, Network+, and A+.

Do non-CompTIA certifications count? They can count toward your 60 CEUs (submitted manually) but don't trigger automatic renewal.

What does CySA+ 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 CySA+ expires? You lose certified status immediately with no grace period, and must retake the current version of the exam.