CompTIA Security+ Exam Cost, Renewal Fees & Discounts in 2025

The CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam voucher costs $392 USD. This is the standard price when purchasing directly from CompTIA. You can also buy from authorized CompTIA resellers, though pricing is typically the same. CompTIA occasionally runs sales and discounts — particularly during the back-to-school season and at industry conferences like Black Hat or RSA. Bundle options include the exam voucher plus a retake for approximately $502 (saving you about $100 compared to buying two vouchers separately). Some training providers include the exam voucher in their course tuition, which can be a good deal if you need structured instruction.

Yes. Students, teachers, and military personnel can save significantly. Through the CompTIA Academic Marketplace, eligible students and educators receive up to 50% off exam vouchers. This brings the Security+ exam cost down to approximately $196. Military service members and veterans can access discounted vouchers through CompTIA's partnership with the US Department of Defense. Additionally, some workforce development programs and grants cover the full cost of the exam for qualifying individuals. If you are a student, always check the Academic Marketplace before purchasing — the discount alone can save you nearly $200.

The passing score for CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) is 750 on a scale of 100–900. CompTIA uses scaled scoring, meaning your raw score (number of questions correct) is converted based on question difficulty. You do not need a specific percentage — the 750 threshold accounts for the varying difficulty of questions across different exam versions. Your score report will show your performance in each of the five domains, helping you identify areas for improvement if you need to retake.

Security+ certification is valid for three years. To renew without retaking the exam, you must earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within the three-year cycle. CEUs can be earned through multiple activities: watching CompTIA webinars (free with CompTIA membership, about $50/year), completing online training courses, attending cybersecurity conferences, writing security-related articles or blog posts, or contributing to open-source security tools. The simplest renewal path: join CompTIA's CE program ($50/year), watch 10-15 webinars over three years (each worth 1-2 CEUs), and complete one training course (worth 10-15 CEUs). Alternatively, you can pass any higher-level CompTIA certification (like CySA+, CASP+, or SecurityX), which automatically renews your Security+.

If you fail the Security+ exam, you can retake it at any time. CompTIA does not impose a waiting period between attempts. However, CompTIA does limit candidates to a maximum of three attempts within a 12-month period. Each retake requires purchasing a new exam voucher at the full $392 price, unless you bought a bundle that includes a retake. After failing, review your score report to identify weak domains, focus your study there, and take multiple practice exams before retrying. Many candidates improve their score significantly on the second attempt after targeted study.