How to Renew CompTIA Network+ (N10-009): The Complete CEU Guide

Network+ is valid for three years, and renewing it is straightforward once you know the rules. This guide covers exactly how to renew Network+: 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 Network+-specific.

The essentials

• Validity: 3 years from the date you pass.
• CEUs required: 30 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 30 CEU requirement

Network+ sits a step above A+ in the CompTIA stack, so its requirement is 30 CEUs over three years — where one CEU is roughly one hour of a qualifying activity. You can reach 30 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.
• 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 Network+ objectives, with proper documentation. Spread across three years, 30 CEUs works out to about 10 per year — very manageable.

The shortcut: certifications that auto-renew Network+

Because Network+ is a core certification with several credentials above it, earning a higher CompTIA certification renews it automatically — with no CEU submission and the fee waived. Qualifying certifications include:

• Security+
• CySA+, PenTest+, and SecurityX
• Cloud+ (which can renew Network+)

If your path runs toward security or cloud, you'll likely earn one of these within three years — renewing Network+ automatically in the process. Earning Network+ itself, in turn, renews A+ beneath it.

Note that non-CompTIA certifications can count toward your 30 CEUs but are submitted manually and don't trigger automatic renewal. Same-level or lower certifications don't renew Network+.

Fees

Network+ 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 Network+ 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: earning a higher certification (Security+, Cloud+, or above), or accumulating 30 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?

• Heading toward security or cloud? Earning Security+, Cloud+, or a higher security certification before Network+ expires renews it automatically. See the certification roadmap.
• Staying at the network level for now? About 10 CEUs per year from training and activities keeps it current comfortably.

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

FAQ

How many CEUs do I need to renew Network+? 30 CEUs within your three-year cycle, or renew automatically by earning a higher-level CompTIA certification.

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

Does earning Network+ renew my A+? Yes. Network+ automatically renews A+ beneath it.

Do non-CompTIA certifications count? They can count toward your 30 CEUs (submitted manually) but don't trigger automatic renewal.

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