Security+ CE Requirements
After you pass the Security+, you’ll find that CompTIA has a requirement to earn Security+ CE (continuing education) credits to retain the certification. If you don’t meet the CE requirements, your certification will expire. CompTIAs page provides an overview and other links for in-depth details, but this blog breaks down the basics for anyone earning the Security+ certification.
The requirements set by CompTIA for their program is very similar to the requirements for SSCP and CISSP certifications.
If you don’t have your Security+ yet, check out this book
CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide
Fees
You’re required to pay $49 annually or a total fee of $147 for a three year period. In many cases, your employer will pay this fee, but if your employer doesn’t provide the benefit, you’ll have to pay yourself. You won’t be able to log any CE credits until you enroll, agree to the Code of Ethics policy, and pay the required fees.
Interestingly, the Code of Ethics policy disappears after you agree to it.
Multiple Certifications
If you have multiple certifications, you only have to pay for the highest level certification. For example, if you earned the A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications, you only need to meet the CE requirements for Security+ and your A+ and Network+ certifications will automatically be renewed.
Credits Required
You’re required to earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the Security+ certification during the three year period after passing the exam. CompTIA provides a full listing of activities that will earn you credits. Here is a short listing to give you an idea of approved activities and how many credits you can get for them.
- Attend approved training 1 CEU per hour
- Work experience 3 CEUs per year
- College course 3 CEUs per credit hour
- Writing a blog article (500+ words) 1 CEU
- Writing a book (150 + pages) 20 CEUs
- Teaching or instructing 1 CEU per hour
- Create teaching or instructor materials 2 CEUs per hour
There are maximum number of CEUs you can in many of the categories. For example, you’re limited to a maximum of 9 CEUs for work experience and a maximum of 40 CEUs for a college course.
After earning you Security+, go for the SSCP
SSCP Systems Security Certified Practitioner All-in-One Exam Guide
Submitting Credits
You are required to submit your continuing education credits online and this can help you track your progress. You use your CompTIA credentials to logon and then will have access to enroll in the program. When you select an activity, it often enters the number of units for the item.
When you submit your CEUs you’re required to also provide documentation to support the activity. For example, if you attend training, you’d need to provide the completion certificate.
Expired Certifications
You aren’t required to enroll in the CE program or pay the annual fees. If you don’t, your certification will expire after three years. If you’ve moved on to higher level certifications such as the CISSP, this may not be important to you.
If you later decide you want to renew your certification, you’ll have to take the exam again to recertify. If the certification has expired, you won’t be able to pay the fees and submit past CEUs.
Stay Certified
In summary, if you want keep your certification, you’ll need to meet the Security+ CE requirements by doing the following:
- Enroll in the CE program
- Agree to the Code of Ethics
- Pay your annual fees
- Submit a total of 50 CEUs
Master Security+ Performance Based Questions Video
Security+ (SY0-601) Practice Test Questions
SY0-601 Practice Test Questions
Over 385 realistic Security+ practice test questions
At least 10 performance-based questions
All questions include explanations so you’ll know why the correct answers are correct,
and why the incorrect answers are incorrect.
Upgrade Your Resume with the Security+ New Version
Multiple quiz formats to let you use these questions based on the way you learn.
- Learn mode – randomized. View each of the questions in random order. Learn mode allows you to keep selecting answers until you select the correct answer. Once you select the correct answer, you’ll see the explanation. Click here to see how learn mode works.
- Test mode – randomized. View each of the questions in random order. In test mode, you can only see the correct answers and explanations after you complete the test. Click here to see how test mode works.
- Test mode – 75 random questions. View 75 random questions from the full test bank similar to how the Security+ exam has a potential maximum of 75 multiple choice questions.
Pass the First Time You Take It
Get the full bank of SY0-601 Practice Test Questions Here
Click here if you’re looking for SY0-501 Online Study Package
Security+ Full Access Package
 | Pass the First Time! |
Up-to-date Content
New multiple-choice and performance-based
questions added regularly
Pass the first time with quality practice test questions, performance-based questions, flashcards, and audio.
Buy The Full Access Study Package Today
60 Days Access
Need more time?
You can easily renew for another 60 days at a significantly reduced price.
All materials are available online shortly after making your payment.
Get the Security+ Full Access Study Package Here
Our online Security+ study materials are the perfect complement to the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide. They can also be used to help ensure you’re ready no matter what study guide you’re using.
This exam is expensive.
Make sure you’re ready before exam day.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- All of the multiple-choice questions from the best-selling CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide. See a demo here. All questions have full explanations so you’ll know why the correct answers are correct and why the incorrect answers are incorrect.
- Over 40 new multiple-choice questions we’ve added after publishing the study guide.
- Over 30 performance-based questions. See a demo here.
- All of the flashcards from the study guide. View them in any Web browser.
- All of the audio from the study guide. Listen to a sample here.
- Access to a free discount code for 10% off your Security+ voucher.
Buy The Full Access Study Package Today
60 Days Access
All materials are available online shortly after making your payment.
Get the Security+ Full Access Study Package Here
Security+ Full Access Package
 | Pass the First Time! |
Up-to-date Content
New multiple-choice and performance-based
questions added regularly
Pass the first time with quality practice test questions, performance-based questions, flashcards, and audio.
Buy The Full Access Study Package Today
60 Days Access
Need more time?
You can easily renew for another 60 days at a significantly reduced price.
All materials are available online shortly after making your payment.
Get the Security+ Full Access Study Package Here
Our online Security+ study materials are the perfect complement to the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide. They can also be used to help ensure you’re ready no matter what study guide you’re using.
This exam is expensive.
Make sure you’re ready before exam day.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- All of the multiple-choice questions from the best-selling CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide. See a demo here. All questions have full explanations so you’ll know why the correct answers are correct and why the incorrect answers are incorrect.
- Realistic SY0-601 Security+ Practice Test Questions
- Performance-based questions.
- All of the flashcards from the study guide. View them in any Web browser. See demo here
- All of the audio from the study guide.
- Access to a free discount code for 10% off your Security+ voucher.
Buy The Full Access Study Package Today
60 Days Access
All materials are available online shortly after making your payment.
Get the Security+ Full Access Study Package Here
Other Security+ Study Resources
I noticed ppl say thank you for the resources . I’m looking to take the exam soon . Can you help me
People are often thanking me for writing the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-401 Study Guide, creating the online Security+ study materials, and/or the free blog posts. All of these options are available to you too.
The FAQ page and/or the less FAQ page might help too.
Daril,
Thanks for the valuable information. I just passed the SY0-401 last month. I have a question that I haven’t seen anyone post anywhere. What happen if I pay the CE fee yearly and then at the end of 3 years, I don’t have enough 50 CEU credits before my cert expires? Do I lose both money and the cert and have to re-take exam for the new one? Thanks!
Congratulations on the pass. Yes, if you don’t meet the requirements to renew your certification, it will expire and you’ll have to retake the exam. CEUs aren’t that difficult to get though. This site has some more info.
How can you tell if your CEUs have been accepted?
If you look at the History section in the page, it shows the items you’ve entered. Normally, they’re accepted automatically so you’ll see them right away.
I passed the SY0-301 exam today using your Study Guide and Practice Test. I was very well prepared and I have you to thank for that. How soon would one have to enroll in the CE program? Could I wait a few months or would you suggest I do so immediately? Thanks again for helping me pass the exam!+
Congrats, Andres. Glad to hear the resources helped.
No need to do so right away. I’d suggest waiting.
Good luck with your next adventure.
Darril,
Could you send an example or template of the work experience letter require for the 3 CEUs?
Thanks
I don’t have an example or a template but page 6 of this PDF shows the requirements: http://certification.comptia.org/docs/default-source/certification-documents/ceu_activity_chart.pdf
Hope this helps.
Darril
I was wondering the same thing. I ended up taking each bullet from the site and making it a heading. I ‘m wondering how much detail they need for work experience and tasks performed.
I think it’s crazy that work experience is valued less than the other activities. 50 weeks out the year should could for much more. They clearly want you to spend money on classes, course, seminars and conferences, as they are worth more.