CompTIA Exam Costs Explained: Fees, Retakes, and Discounts

When planning your budget for the CompTIA exam cost 2026, you need to consider more than the exam fee. In CompTIA certifications, there are additional costs as well, such as renewal fees, taxes, and any potential retake you might need to take in case of failing the exam.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that exam fees can vary depending on your location and local taxes. Be sure to check   your local Pearson VUE portal to confirm the exact price for your region.

Quick Answer: Typical CompTIA Costs (2026)

If you want a quick look at official CompTIA exam fees (USD), then here is a quick breakdown.

• Single-Exam Certs: For certifications like Network+ ($390) or Security+ ($425), you only need to pass one exam to become fully certified.
• The A+ Requirement: CompTIA A+ is unique because it requires two separate exams (Core 1 and Core 2). This effectively doubles your investment to $530 ($265 per voucher).
• Retake Policy: There are no discounted “re-entry” rates. If you fail, a retake costs the full voucher fee again.
• Voucher Savings: You can often save 10%–20% by purchasing through an authorized reseller or opting for a bundle that includes a retake “insurance” voucher.
• Renewal Fees: To keep your certification active after three years, most tracks require a Continuing Education (CE) fee of $25–$50 per year.

CompTIA Price List 2026 (Official Exam Fees in USD)

Here is the official CompTIA price list 2026 for the most popular CompTIA certifications in the United States.

The fee given above represents the official CompTIA exam fees (USD) as of early 2026. It is important to keep in mind that these prices can be different in your region, whether you are in the UK, the EU, or any other region, because of the different local currency and tax requirements.

Sources: Official CompTIA Exam Pricing

CompTIA A+ Exam Cost 2026 (How Many Exams + Total Cost for Both Exams)

The biggest confusion candidates have is about the CompTIA A+ exam cost 2026 because this is the only certification that requires passing the two exams (Core 1 and Core 2) to become certified. You can check our guide on how to prepare for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 & 2 beginner’s guide, so you can understand both of these exams.

So if you were confused about how many exams are required for CompTIA A+, then the answer is two exams to get the certification. So, the A+ total cost for both exams is higher than other certifications, as they only have one exam. So when preparing for the updated CompTIA A+ 1201/1202 exam objectives, you must budget for two separate vouchers.

A+ Pricing Scenarios

If you fail one core, then you need to pay for only that. To reduce the chances of failure, you can use our proven study hacks to pass CompTIA A+ on the first try.

CompTIA Network+ Exam Cost 2026 (Official) — USD

The official CompTIA Network+ exam cost 2026 is currently $369.

• Who it’s for: It is for junior network administrators, system engineers, and help desk leads.
• Renewal: Network+ must be renewed every three years.
• Pro Tip: To avoid the retake fee, you should practice the Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) to get the highest marks.

CompTIA Security+ Exam Cost 2026 (Official) — USD

The “CompTIA Security+ exam cost 2026” is $425 for a single exam. If you feel this is more costly than the A+ exam, you are considering per exam fee, which is $253, but to get the certification, you will have to give two exams, and the total cost will be $506, which is higher than Security+.

Learn more about why Security + is a great starting point here.

CompTIA CySA+ Exam Cost 2026 (Official) — USD

The “CompTIA CySA+ exam cost 2026” is $425 (USD). This is for IT security professionals who want to focus on threat detection and response. It costs more than entry-level exams because it tests advanced skills. The certification needs to be renewed every three years with CE fees.

CompTIA PenTest+ Exam Cost 2026 (Official) — USD

The CompTIA PenTest+ exam cost 2026 is $425 (USD). When you compare it to CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), it can cost over $1,200 just for the exam, so PenTest+ is much more affordable. For those candidates who want to gain hands-on penetration testing certification should go for PenTest+ without paying any high costs.

CompTIA Exam Voucher Price 2026 (Voucher vs Exam Fee)

The voucher price is what you actually pay for the 15-digit code used to register at Pearson VUE. The exam voucher cost can be reduced by following these safety rules:

• Authorized resellers: Authorized resellers’ vouchers give 10%–15% off, but you need to be aware that they can expire early, so check the expiry date before buying from resellers.
• Check Expiration: Some vouchers expire in 12 months, but most of the time, discounted vouchers some with early expiry of 3 to 6 months or even 30 to 60 days.
• Voucher Bundle Savings: When you purchase a “Voucher + Retake” bundle directly from CompTIA, you will have to pay $100 more, but it can save you $400+ of a full retake price.

CompTIA Retake Policy 2026 + Retake Cost Examples

CompTIA’s retake policy is strict: retakes cost the full exam fee again. There is no waiting period between the first and second attempt, but a 14-day wait is required before the third.

Retake Cost Examples:

1. A+ Scenario: If you fail Core 1 but pass Core 2, your retake fee is $253 to try Core 1 again.
2. Security+ Scenario: Failing this exam once brings your total investment to $850 ($425 original + $425 retake).

Renewal / CE Fees in 2026 (Maintenance Costs)

To keep your certifications active, you must pay renewal fees or CE fees.

• For A+: $25/year ($75 per 3-year cycle).
• For Network+ / Security+: $50/year ($150 per 3-year cycle).

US vs UK vs International Pricing (Why Costs Vary)

Look at the reasons why prices vary in different regions.

• CompTIA adjusts exam prices based on currency, like GBP or EUR.
• In the UK and EU, prices usually include about 20% VAT, which is not part of the USD price.
• Some regions, like South Africa or India, often have lower local pricing.

2025 vs 2026 CompTIA Exam Costs (What Changed?)

In 2025, CompTIA increased the prices of certification by 3%–7%. This update was given by the mid of June. CompTIA usually changes the pricing after every 18 months, so the new changes may be given by late 2026.

Best Ways to Save Money on CompTIA Exam Fees

CompTIA candidates can save their money by following these tips, such as;

• As a student, you can use your .edu email to save up to 50% by getting a student discount in academic marketplaces.
• If you buy a voucher bundle with “CertMaster” prep, you can save the fee for a retake, as most of the time, a free retake is included in the voucher.
• You can ask your employer to reimburse the cost of your CompTIA exam 2026 if you pass the exam.
• Many students waste their money by buying the wrong voucher or by buying a voucher for a very near date, and they don’t take the exam on it.

FAQ (2026 CompTIA Exam Costs)

• What is the CompTIA Network+ exam cost 2026 (official)?
  The official fee is $369 USD for a single attempt.
• What is the CompTIA Security+ exam price in USD (2026)?
  The standard price is $425 USD per voucher.
• How many exams are CompTIA A+, and what is the total cost for both exams?
  There are two total exams (Core 1 and Core 2), and the combined cost is $506 USD.
• Do retakes cost the same as the original CompTIA exam fee?
  Yes, you need to pay the same price because CompTIA doesn’t give any retake discount. But you can buy a bundle with a free retake.
• Where can I buy an official CompTIA voucher?
  To buy an official voucher, you can buy from official stores or from authorized resellers like Pearson VUE.