The Security+ certification is a key credential for cybersecurity professionals, covering foundational cybersecurity knowledge and skills across several domains. The cost of the Security+ certification can vary depending on whether you invest in a training course or need to retake the exam.
Below, we provide a detailed overview of the Security+ certification costs, including exam fees and study materials. We’ll explore various pricing options, highlighting both free and paid resources for exam preparation. This should provide you with a clearer understanding of the financial side of obtaining the Security+ certification.
How much does the Security+ certification cost?
First thing’s first. To access the Security+ exam, you’ll need to purchase an exam voucher, which costs USD $404. If you’re a student in the US (you’ll need to provide a valid student ID and .edu email address), then you can take advantage of discounts via the CompTIA Academic Marketplace where you’ll pay just $209.
CompTIA states that it doesn’t offer any free or discounted exam retakes. It’s for this reason that many people choose to invest in preparation materials, be it study guides or practice tests. The CompTIA Learning and Training offering has everything you need to prepare for the certification exam. There you can choose individual products or bundles.
The most expensive bundle CompTIA offers for Security+ cert is its Complete Bundle, which costs $1080. As such, you can expect the Security+ certification to cost anything between $404 (or $209 if you’re an eligible US student) and $1080, depending on the level of resources you require to study for and pass the exam. Note that exam retakes may raise this total.
CompTIA Security+ products
Here’s the full list of products that CompTIA offers for Security+, as well as their respective prices:
Exam Voucher
As touched on above, the CompTIA Security+ Exam Voucher is priced at $404 at the time of writing. This price doesn’t include any additional study resources and is just one attempt at the exam. A retake of the exam costs a further $404.
CertMaster Learn (e-learning)
CertMaster Learn ($561) is an interactive, self-paced online learning platform that covers all of the exam objectives with lessons, videos, practice questions, and performance-based questions to simulate the experience of the exam.
Study Guide
The official CompTIA Security+ Certification Study Guide is available in eBook ($159) or printed ($169) format, providing comprehensive coverage of the exam objectives.
CertMaster Practice (practice tests)
CertMaster Practice ($211) is an online tool that helps assess your readiness for the Security+ exam. It includes practice questions that mimic the style and difficulty of the real exam questions.
CertMaster Labs
CertMaster Labs ($211) provides hands-on experience in real-world scenarios. It allows you to practice your skills through exercises and labs within a virtual environment, which is vital for understanding the application of theoretical knowledge.
CompTIA product bundles
If you’re planning on purchasing more than one of the above products, you can save with one of the following bundles:
Exam Prep
The Exam Prep Bundle ($720) includes an exam voucher and retake, study guide, and CertMaster Practice.
eLearning
The eLearning Bundle ($977) consists of an exam voucher and retake, CertMaster Learn, and CertMaster Labs.
Complete
As the name suggests, the Complete Bundle ($1080) includes access to all products: an exam voucher and retake, CertMaster Learn, CertMaster Labs, and CertMaster Practice.
Basic
The Basic Bundle ($565) is a combination of the exam voucher and retake as well as the study guide.
Alternative study resources
Although CompTIA provides a wide range of official preparation materials for the Security+ exam, there are additional resources to supplement your study, free and paid. Here’s a roundup of the best alternative study resources (and their respective pricing) that can help prepare you for the Security+ certification:
Our recommendation: StationX
Apr 2024
CompTIA+, AWS, CCSK, CCSP, GCSATested Apr 2024
If you’re looking for a comprehensive platform that covers a wide range of cybersecurity courses, including preparation for the CompTIA Security+ certification, StationX is an excellent alternative. StationX provides in-depth courses covering all aspects of cybersecurity, from foundational knowledge to advanced skills.
StationX’s CompTIA Security+ Certification Course is designed to not only prepare you for the exam, but equip you with practical cybersecurity skills. With expert instructors and up-to-date content including practice exams and virtual labs, StationX is a valuable resource for achieving your career goals.
Not only is StationX an affordable alternative (full access to all of its courses costs just $197 per year at the time of writing), it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to explore what it has to offer risk-free.
Third party books and guides
There’s no shortage of third-party books and guides tailored to the Security+ exam. In particular, CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead by Darril Gibson is highly regarded for its in-depth material that’s easy to understand. Another popular option is CompTIA Security+ Study Guide by Mike Chapple and David Seidl, both of whom are experienced cybersecurity professionals.
Online courses
Online courses have become increasingly popular for preparing for the Security+ certification, largely thanks to the flexibility they provide. Some of the options include:
- Udemy: Udemy features a variety of Security+ courses tailored to different levels of expertise. Courses like CompTIA Security+ Complete Course & Exam include video lectures, practice questions, and study materials. Courses are affordably priced and are often on sale, making them a particularly cost-effective option.
- LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning offers comprehensive courses on Security+, including CompTIA Security+ Cert Prep that covers all exam domains. Subscribers get access to a wide range of courses on cybersecurity and beyond, making it a good investment for ongoing learning.
- Coursera: Coursera provides courses in partnership with colleges and universities, offering a more academic approach to Security+ preparation. While not always focused solely on Security+, courses like IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts can provide foundational knowledge beneficial for the exam.
Free resources
There are several free resources for preparing for the CompTIA Security+ certification. Here’s a list of the most notable ones:
- Cybrary: Cybrary is a cybersecurity-focused platform offering a free CompTIA Security+ course that covers all of the exam objectives. It’s a great resource if you prefer a self-paced learning environment with the option for more in-depth, paid features.
- Professor Messer: Professor Messer’s YouTube Channel is an excellent resource for CompTIA certifications, Security+ included. His free video series covers all exam objectives in detail. He also provides monthly study group sessions in which you can ask questions.
- ExamCompass: ExamCompass provides a series of practice tests that cover a wide range of topics relevant to the Security+ exam.
- CrucialExams: CrucialExams offers free practice exams, flashcards, and study games designed to help with the Security+ examination.
Security+ cost: FAQs
Are there any prerequisites for taking the Security+ exam?
There are no formal prerequisites for taking the CompTIA Security+ exam. However, CompTIA recommends that candidates first take the CompTIA Network+ certification, and have at least two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus or a security systems administrator job role. These recommendations are designed to ensure that you’ll have a basic level of knowledge and experience to better understand concepts covered in the Security+ exam.
What is the passing score for the Security+ exam?
The passing score for the CompTIA Security+ exam is 750 on a scale of 100 to 900. This scoring system means that candidates must achieve a score of 750 or higher out of a maximum of 900 points to pass the exam and obtain the Security+ certification.
Are there any free study resources for the Security+ exam?
Yes, there are plenty of free study resources that you can take advantage of to help prepare for the Security+ exam. We’ve listed them further above in this post but, as a quick recap, we recommend Cybrary (free Security+ course), Professor Messer’s YouTube Channel (free video series), as well as ExamCompass and CrucialExams (free practice exams).
Can I retake the Security+ certification if I fail?
Yes, you can retake the Security+ certification exam if you don’t pass it on your first attempt. Each retake costs $404 as of time of writing. Note that if you fail the exam on your first attempt, you can retake it as soon as you like. However, if you fail on your second attempt (or on any subsequent attempts), CompTIA requires you to wait 14 days before you can retake the exam again.
How long is the Security+ certification valid?
The CompTIA Security+ certification is valid for free years from the date you pass your exam. To maintain the certification beyond the three-year period, you have to participate in CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program, which allows you to extend your certification in three-year intervals through relevant activities and training.
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