CompTIA Security+
A foundational cybersecurity credential that validates the core skills needed for security administration, including threats, architecture, operations, and risk management. It is often the first security certification employers ask for in entry level security roles.
Issued by CompTIA · Official page
Who can apply
- No formal prerequisites are required.
- CompTIA recommends holding CompTIA Network+ and having two years of experience in a security or systems administrator role.
Exam
- Exam
- CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 (V7)
- Format
- Multiple choice and performance based questions
- Questions
- 90
- Time
- 90 minutes
Up to 90 questions. Passing score is 750 on a scale of 100 to 900. SY0-701 launched November 7, 2023; the English version retires June 11, 2027, and Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai versions retire August 13, 2027. CompTIA lists a new version, SY0-801 (V8), expected on or around November 17, 2026, with up to 90 questions, 90 minutes, and the same 750 passing score.
Official fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam voucher | Data unavailable | CompTIA's official certification and store pages did not display a USD price in a form that could be verified on 2026-10-18. | Official page |
| Continuing Education fee | $150 | Total CE fee for the three year renewal period; CompTIA states it does not need to be paid annually. | Official page |
Only fees published by the issuer or regulator are listed. Blank amounts mean no official figure was available to verify.
Renewal and continuing education
- Cycle
- 3 years
- Requirement
- Earn 50 continuing education units (CEUs) within the three year cycle and pay the CE fee, or renew through another approved CompTIA CE activity.
Related careers
| Occupation | National median wage |
|---|---|
| Information security analysts | $129,180 |
| Network and computer systems administrators | $99,130 |
Sources
- CompTIA Security+ V7, accessed October 18, 2026
- CompTIA Security+ V8 (launching November 2026), accessed October 18, 2026
- Certification Renewal Policy, accessed October 18, 2026
- Continuing Education Renewal Fees, accessed October 18, 2026
- Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), accessed October 18, 2026
Verification notes
The exam voucher price could not be verified on an official production CompTIA page. A CompTIA test subdomain showed conflicting figures ($404 and $392), so neither was used. The V8 launch date is stated by CompTIA as approximate.
ConnectPrep is not affiliated with CompTIA. Credential names may be trademarks of their owners.