How to Renew CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701): The Complete CEU Guide

Security+ is valid for three years, and keeping it active is simpler than most people expect — once you know the rules. This guide covers exactly how to renew Security+: 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 Security+-specific.

The essentials

• Validity: 3 years from the date you pass.
• CEUs required: 50 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 50 CEU requirement

Renewing Security+ the standard way means earning 50 CEUs over your three-year cycle, where one CEU is roughly one hour of a qualifying activity. You can reach 50 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 and webinars — CEUs per qualifying hour.
• Professional experience, teaching, and publishing — all can earn CEUs with documentation.

A common rule: activities should be at least 50% relevant to the Security+ objectives, and you'll need to document them.

The shortcut: certifications that auto-renew Security+

Here's what most people wish they'd known sooner. Passing a higher-level CompTIA certification automatically renews Security+ — with no CEU submission and the renewal fee waived. The certifications that do this are:

• CySA+
• PenTest+
• SecurityX (formerly CASP+)

Passing any of these renews Security+ (and Network+ and A+ beneath it) automatically. This is often the smartest route if your career is heading further into security anyway — you advance and renew in a single move.

Two things to note:

• Same-level or lower certifications don't count. Linux+, Network+, and A+ do not renew Security+, because they aren't above it in the hierarchy.
• Non-CompTIA certifications (like CISSP) don't auto-renew Security+, but they can count toward your 50 CEUs — submitted manually in your CompTIA account.

Fees

Security+ renewal carries a continuing education fee of about $50 per year, roughly $150 across the three-year cycle. That's substantially less than retaking the exam, which is a big reason not to let it lapse. (If you renew by earning a higher CompTIA certification, the Security+ 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 a higher certification (CySA+, PenTest+, or SecurityX), or earning 50 CEUs from activities.
3. Log CEUs as you earn them in your CompTIA account (CertMaster CE) — don't wait until the last month.
4. Upload documentation for each activity.
5. Pay the CE fee and submit before your expiration date. Remember: no grace period.

Which route is right for you?

• Heading deeper into security? Plan to earn CySA+, PenTest+, or SecurityX before Security+ expires — it renews everything and advances your career. See the certification roadmap.
• Staying put for now? Accumulate 50 CEUs from training and activities over the three years. Official training is an efficient, relevant way to earn them.

As an Authorized CompTIA Partner, we carry official training and vouchers — useful whether you're renewing through CEUs or stacking a higher certification. Our related guides cover how to renew CySA+ and how to renew PenTest+.

FAQ

How many CEUs do I need to renew Security+? 50 CEUs within your three-year cycle, or renew automatically by passing a higher-level CompTIA certification.

Which certifications automatically renew Security+? CySA+, PenTest+, and SecurityX. Passing any of them renews Security+ (and Network+ and A+) with no CEU submission and the fee waived.

Does CISSP renew Security+? Not automatically — it's not a CompTIA certification. But it can count toward your 50 CEUs if submitted manually.

Does Linux+ renew Security+? No. Linux+ isn't above Security+ in the hierarchy, so it doesn't renew it.

What does Security+ renewal cost? About $50 per year (roughly $150 over three years) — much less than retaking the exam. The fee is waived if you renew via a higher CompTIA certification.

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