Getting certified · Renewal
How to renew CySA+
CySA+ is valid for three years from the day you pass. To renew it, earn 60 continuing education units (CEUs) within that cycle and pay the $150 continuing education (CE) fee, or complete one qualifying activity instead: CertMaster CE for CySA+, a higher CompTIA certification, a qualifying non-CompTIA certification, or the latest CySA+ exam (CompTIA V4 FAQ and CompTIA CE fees, checked October 2026).
One three-year cycle
Day you pass
The clock starts
The certification is valid for three years and enrolled in the CE program automatically.
During the cycle
Log activities
Upload CEUs as you earn them until you reach 60, or finish a single qualifying activity.
By the expiration date
Pay the CE fee
$150 for the whole cycle, due by expiration, and only if you renew by uploading CEUs.
Expiration date
Renewed or lapsed
Miss the requirements and the certification expires on that date.
Ways to renew, compared
| Option | What you do | CE fee |
|---|---|---|
| CEUs | Earn 60 CEUs from approved activities within three years | $150 per cycle |
| CertMaster CE for CySA+ | Complete CompTIA's renewal course | Course priced separately; see the CompTIA store |
| Higher CompTIA certification | Earn SecurityX | None for CySA+ itself |
| Non-CompTIA certification | Earn one from CompTIA's qualifying list | See CompTIA CySA+ renewal options |
| Retest | Pass the latest release of the CySA+ exam | Voucher price |
The exam route costs a full voucher: US $425 (CompTIA FAQ, June 12, 2026), detailed on the CySA+ exam cost page.
One renewal can cover two certificationsTip
CompTIA's hierarchy runs SecurityX, then CySA+ and PenTest+, then Security+. Renewing CySA+ renews Security+ too, and earning SecurityX renews CySA+ (CompTIA CE FAQ). PenTest+ sits on the same rung as CySA+, so check CompTIA's renewal options before counting it; the CySA+ vs PenTest+ comparison and CySA+ vs SecurityX comparison cover those exams.
Picking a route from what you already plan
You hold a certification on CompTIA's list
CISSP, CISM, Certified SOC Analyst and the others below each renew CySA+ on CompTIA's renewal page, which credits them with the 60 CEUs. Earning one during your cycle can cover the whole renewal in one upload.
You are heading for SecurityX anyway
SecurityX sits above CySA+ on CompTIA's hierarchy, so passing it renews CySA+ and Security+ with it, with no CE fee charged for the lower certifications.
You train steadily at work
Approved training activities add up toward 60 CEUs. Log them as they happen; the $150 fee is paid once, by the expiration date.
You would rather sit an exam
Passing the latest CySA+ release renews the certification. If you passed CS0-004 and it is still the newest version, this route waits for the next one.
Non-CompTIA certifications on CompTIA's CySA+ list
- CISSP and SSCP (ISC2)
- CISA, CISM and CRISC (ISACA)
- CHFI, ECIH and Certified SOC Analyst (EC-Council)
- CCIE Security (Cisco)
- OSEP, OSWE and OSEE (OffSec)
- WCNA
Why CySA+ expires at all
CompTIA ties the three-year life to US Department of Defense (DoD) 8570.01-M compliance: certifications earned after December 31, 2010 are valid for three years and join the CE program (CompTIA CE FAQ). The list above is published by CompTIA as subject to change without notice, so confirm a certification is still on it before you count on it.
If you are planning a stack rather than one exam, the analyst certification overview shows which credentials renew which.
Renewing in practice
Is the $150 fee charged every year?
No. It is one fee per three-year cycle, due by the expiration date, and only for the CEU route (CompTIA CE fees, checked October 2026).
Can I renew by retaking CS0-004 if I passed CS0-004?
No. CompTIA's retake policy blocks retaking an exam code you have passed without its consent; renewal by exam means the latest CySA+ release once a newer one exists (CompTIA retake policy).
Does renewing CySA+ also renew my Security+?
Yes. CySA+ sits above Security+ on CompTIA's hierarchy, and CompTIA charges no CE fee for the lower certification when a higher one renews it (CompTIA CE FAQ, checked October 2026).
I passed CS0-003. Do I renew differently?
The CySA+ renewal page CompTIA publishes is titled for CySA+ V3 and asks for 60 CEUs (CompTIA CySA+ renewal options, checked October 2026). The three-year cycle runs from the date you earned the certification.
How many CEUs does CySA+ need?
60 in three years (CompTIA CySA+ renewal options, checked October 2026).
Sources
- CompTIA blog: The New CompTIA CySA+ (V4), Your Certification Questions Answered · published June 12, 2026 (checked October 9, 2026)
- CompTIA CE renewal fees page (checked October 9, 2026)
- CompTIA CE program FAQ (checked October 9, 2026)
- CompTIA CySA+ single-activity renewal page · 60 CEUs required (checked October 9, 2026)
- CompTIA certification retake policy page (checked October 9, 2026)
Facts checked. Now practice.
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