How to Renew CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-003): The Complete CEU Guide

PenTest+ is valid for three years, and keeping it active is simple once you understand the Continuing Education program. This guide covers exactly how to renew PenTest+: 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 PenTest+-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, PenTest+ requires 60 CEUs over your three-year cycle — the same as CySA+, and more than Security+'s 50. One CEU is roughly one hour of a qualifying activity, and you can combine activities to reach the total:

• Training and courses — about one CEU per training hour; the most flexible route. Choose training relevant to penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and offensive security.
• 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 PenTest+ objectives, with proper documentation.

The shortcut: certifications that auto-renew PenTest+

Passing a higher-level CompTIA certification automatically renews PenTest+ — with no CEU submission and the fee waived. Because PenTest+ sits high in the security stack, the natural stacking route is:

• SecurityX (formerly CASP+) — the expert-level credential, which renews PenTest+.

Note too that earning PenTest+ itself automatically renews the certifications beneath it — Security+, Network+, and A+ — so it's often part of someone else's renewal shortcut, not just its own.

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

PenTest+ 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 PenTest+ 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 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 PenTest+ expires renews it automatically and advances your career. See the certification roadmap.
• Staying at the pentesting level for now? Accumulate 60 CEUs from training and activities relevant to offensive security over the three years — and given how fast the field moves, that continuing education is genuinely useful, not just a formality.

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

FAQ

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

Which certifications automatically renew PenTest+? SecurityX (formerly CASP+), the expert-level credential above it. Check CompTIA's current approved list, as it can change.

Does earning PenTest+ renew my other certifications? Yes. PenTest+ 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 PenTest+ 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 PenTest+ expires? You lose certified status immediately with no grace period, and must retake the current version of the exam.