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CompTIA A+, Net+, Security+: No Longer Lifetime Certifications
CompTIA certifications are one of the most recognized IT certifications around the globe and until recently they were all permanent certifications, meaning that if you got certified in A+ you were certified for life.
Just last year CompTIA’s FAQ stated:
Question: Will I ever need to renew my certifications?
Answer: No, CompTIA certifications are lifetime certifications.
As of January 1, 2010 this is no longer true — the A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications will expire three years from the date they’re issued and you will be required to renew your credentials in order to stay current. And this applies to everyone — individuals who have obtained the certifications in the past and those who plan on completing them in the future.
So now the question is: Why has CompTIA decided now, after all these years to change their policy? And more importantly, is this a good thing or a bad thing?
According to CompTIA’s website one of the reasons behind the new certification renewal policy is to ensure that certified individuals “have the most up-to-date skills and knowledge to deal with the fast-changing IT environment”.
At first glance, this recent change might seem unreasonable or unfair and an overall bad move for CompTIA.
After a closer look, I think this is will actually greatly benefit CompTIA certified individuals in many ways.
Updating your skills every three years is not such a bad idea and CompTIA offers two options to renew your certification, one that doesn’t involve taking the updated exam but rather earning continuing education credits.
Take a look at some of the activities listed below that you can do to earn your continuing education credits — getting new certifications, writing, teaching, presenting, blogging, going to conferences — what a great motivator this is to stay involved in the IT industry, to continue learning and advancing your career.
How Will CompTIA’s New Certification Renewal Program Affect You
CompTIA’s new certification renewal program will have an annual fee associated — $25 for those who are A+ certified and $49 for Network+ and Security+ certified individuals.
You will notice that a “valid through” date will start to appear on all A+, Network+ and Security+ certificates starting this year. And those who get certified in 2010 will have a renewal date of exactly three years their certification date.
For those who completed the certifications before 2010, your renewal deadline is either December 31st of 2011 or 2012 — you can refer to this chart for more details.
Additionally, for those with multiple CompTIA certifications, you only need to renew your highest level cert. So if you are A+ and Network+ certified, you will only need to renew your Net+ cert; similarly, if you hold the Security+ cert and the A+ or Net+ (or both) certs then you only need to renew your Security+ cert.
Renewing Your CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ Certifications
As I mentioned above, you will have options in regards to renewing your certifications besides simply retaking the updated exams. Bridge exams will be an option for awhile, however CompTIA is planning on phasing them out in 2011 starting with Security+.
Another option that will become available later this year involves earning continuing education units (CEU) — 20 for A+, 30 for Network+ and 50 for Security+. The eligible activities that will earn you CEUs include:
- teaching or presenting on relevant industry topics
- attending relevant industry conferences and events
- participating in non-degree courses or computer-based training
- completing industry related college courses
- participating in CompTIA’s exam development workshops
- publishing books, articles, whitepapers and even blog posts on relevant topics
- obtaining other industry certifications
Take a look at this chart for more information and details on the continuing education unit requirements for CompTIA certification renewal.
Also, take a look at the complete Certification Renewal Policy for more information and links to FAQs and resources.
What Do You Think?
What are your thoughts on CompTIA’s certification renewal plan? Do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing? Do you think you will benefit from the new requirements? What do you think about the continuing education credits?
Update 1/26/2010 — CompTIA Revises Renewal Policy
The revised Certification Renewal Policy states that current A+, Net+, and Security+ certification holders and those who obtain these certs before the end of 2010 will remain certified for life. The renewal requirement applies only to those who get certified starting January 1st, 2011.
Read more …
Related Posts:
- CompTIA Listens and Adjusts Certification Renewal Policy
- Exclusive Info on CompTIA Security+ Revamp & New TS Forums
- CompTIA A+ 2009 Certification Information
- CompTIA Network+ 2009 Certification Information
- My First IT Certification! Part 18: CompTIA A+
- My First IT Certification! Part 10: CompTIA A+
- My First IT Certification! Part 9: CompTIA A+
31 Responses to “CompTIA A+, Net+, Security+: No Longer Lifetime Certifications”
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Steven R. McEvoy Says:
January 14th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I think this is both good and bad. Good in that you now need to stay current, bad in that CompTIA Exam are much more expensive than some of the others ie. Microsoft.
Also it will make them a lot more money if you need to re-cert every few years.
Steven
Mark Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 2:48 am
Comptia certifications are only really seen as entry level certifications, so why would you want to renew every 3 years? Better off going straight for Microsoft certifications at least they will not expire.
Tony Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 8:11 am
I am not at all happy about the change!
$25 to $50 annual fee to hold one of their certifications? What does this annual fee cover? Are they going to send me a new certificate every 3 months?
Only 3 (out of 50 required) CEU’s for a hour of public speaking? Or 10 for paying for one of their approved classes?
I just passed my A+ on January 7th and I have my Network+ scheduled for May 1st. I was going to look at taking my security plus by the end of the year but I think I am going to look at other vendors instead. It was hard enough coming up with the money to take the test in the first place!
I feel I am very involved in the IT industry. I go to work everyday as a SysAdmin!
All it sounds like to me is more $$ in CompTIA’s pocket and more difficulty for people to get an ENTRY level certification.
Jason Harry Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Ah man! I have mixed emotions about hearing this. Mainly because some of use IT Professional already have a large amount of certs that require renewing. However, I think I’m kind of OK with being able to just take the highest cert and have all the rest renewed. This is exactly how Cisco’s recertifications work, so it shouldn’t be so bad after all. Guess I’ll be going for Security + pretty soon :)
yup Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
I will not be renewing my certs. CompTIA exams are entry exams. I wouldn’t waste my money renewing. Especially with a annual fee. Are they crazy?
John Says:
January 18th, 2010 at 10:43 am
I can’t see many people renewing their exams after the three years have expired. I can also see a lot less people taking the A+ and N+ for entry level certificates simply because they’re too expensive for what they offer.
I’m wondering whether they can provide a product/service that’s marketed as “lifetime” and then come back and say it isn’t really.
Patrick Says:
January 18th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
So far I’m a little disappointed as I recently purchased my Network + 2009 training. Looking at the cost for the training DVD, the amount to take the test and any additional costs for preparation, I’m not seeing the positives for all the extra requirements.
name Says:
January 19th, 2010 at 4:43 am
Wow, being disabled and working from home makes things more difficult. With the local approved test center now closed, its impossible to take the test as the nearest test center is in another state. Looking at what i can do for the earned credits doesnt give me any options other than CBTs. I cannot imagine what the costs of those CBTs will be.
walterbyrd Says:
January 19th, 2010 at 8:13 am
CompTIA deserves a class-action lawsuit.
On a whim, compia has unilaterally decided to renege on their agreements with hundreds of thousands of certification holders.
Whether or not expiring certification is good, or bad, for cert holders is besides the point. Previous cert holders had an agreement with comptia, and it not fair, and should not be legal, for comptia to arbitrarily to break their agreements.
If comptia wants to change the agreement with subsequent exam takers, is a different matter. Comptia has not right to renege on agreements that they have already made.
Jason Zandri Says:
January 19th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Updating your skills every three years is not such a bad idea and I have no issue with earning continuing education units (CEU) but the main issue that I have is that there is now an annual fee associated — $25 for those who are A+ certified and $49 for Network+ and Security+ certified individuals.
It’s a shame and it sounds like CompTIA is just interested in a revenue stream.
I hold five certifications from CompTIA; I for one won’t be throwing away $125.00+ dollars each year to maintain them.
I have been certified the longest in A+, dating back to 98 and I recertified just for the sake of an update for a class I was teaching. I didn’t need to but I wanted to make sure I was still teaching to the material that would be covered under the exams. I passed them both.
As far as Server+, Network+, Security+ and the rest – I’ll just say good bye now.
If CompTIA changes their mind I am good with supplying CEUs but maintenence fees are worthless for the person that is certified unless they need to keep their certification for their job and then in that case work should pay for it.
I dropped my CISSP after seven years for the same reasons; work didn’t want to pay the fees anymore and its not as if the skills jump out of my head when the certification expires.
Bryan Bateman Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Absolute horrendous business decision. It is absolutely necessary to keep up with the ever-changing technologies, but not with entry-level certifications. And annual service fees – fail! The small amount of “street cred” gained by renewing these certifications isn’t comparable to the amount of people who will disconue pursuing them for more feasible, higher-level certifications. Those with current certs prior to 2010 should be grandfathered in since that’s what the original agreement was. If CompTia follows through with this business plan I predict a steer away from CompTia, even as “the entry-level cert” to have to get your foot in the door. BTW I do hold two CompTia certs that I will not be paying a service fee to continue to hold.
Greg Miller Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I think expiring certificates are just a bad idea all around. I don’t understand why vendors can’t just give you a certificate that states what you got your certification in ie Windows 2003 Server. Or in the case of something like Network+ stamp it with the year you passed the exam. Then let the prospective employer looking at a resume decide wheter a Comptia Security+ 2008 certification is important to them.
Matt Schrimpf Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
It’s always about $$$. Enough said.
notw Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 2:06 pm
I have a hard time believing it’s legal as well. I really don’t like sounding like this but,
to me it looks like they have an excuse to make a lot more money on the backs of people that already paid their dues.
Matt Schrimpf Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I will not pursue any other certifications with them if I can help it.
Kasia Grabowska Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Just an FYI, here’s what CompTIA states in their FAQ when asked about charging more money:
Link: http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/renewal/faq.aspx
Greg Brady Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Who needs the pressure??? I have one Comptia cert from 10 years ago, I also have another non comptia lifetime cert. I was about to get a Security + cert but now I say screw it because I don’t have the time nor do I need the pressure of getting recertified every 3 years. Its bad enough just going to work everyday. My next cert won’t be through Comptia because they are history in my book. Its just another ploy to increase profits. Who does comptia think they are certifying doctors who perform Eye surgery?? I say up theirs!
Greg Brady Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 8:06 pm
I also forgot to mention I work with attorneys and they say I could probably sue Comptia for marketing a certification as lifetime, then coming back years later and saying its no longer lifetime. The attorneys seem to think I good case could be made from those with previous certs.
Greg Brady Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Just an FYI, here’s what CompTIA states in their FAQ when asked about charging more money:
Isn’t this just another way for CompTIA to make more money?
As a not-for-profit association for the IT industry, CompTIA reinvests the money it earns into new programs to serve the industry and the people who work in IT. This is certainly true for our certification programs. The process of developing and delivering high-stakes certification exams carries with it significant costs in time and resources. Likewise, the development and ongoing management of our new continuing education program has costs associated with it. The dollars paid for our certification exams are rolled back into the industry in the form of new and updated certification offerings and continuing education options for the IT workforce.
————————-
I say….yeh right….Not For Profit. Next they will be telling us that they work for free and don’t get raises each year.
Tim Arbour Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 8:15 pm
I agree with most of the posts. A+ is a basic entry level certification. No need to renew – it’s about Comptia making money – that’s all it is.
As a Director of IT, I don’t hold much weight on certifications anyway – the local trade school was pumping out certified techs and had never opened a PC. They just learned how to pass the test. I pay people to do a job, not hang papers on the wall.
I’ve had my A+ since 1997 when it was 3 tests to pass – Core, Apple, and MS Win & DOS. I’m responsible for 100+ desktops, a datacenter, 100+ VPN tunnels, Cisco routers and appliances, and I need to waste my time taking the A+ again? I think NOT.
Tim Arbour Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 8:19 pm
One more thing – sign me up for the class-action lawsuit – that wasn’t the agreement Comptia promised when I took those 3 tests.
A. Galen Huebner Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 8:46 pm
In my opinion, this is illegal and I will be checking with my son who is a prosecuting attorney to see if he agrees. If he does, I’ll consider sueing. You can’t tell people that their certifications are permanent and then change your mind.
These are entry level certifications and telling people that the certs were permanent was one way to attract people to go for the certifications to begin with. I know it attracted me.
They simply have to grandfather us in or face the consequent litigation.
Reuben Howe Says:
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:19 pm
CompTIA really need to reconsider this. I’ve had my A+ for ten years now. Either grandfather my cert or face litigation.
Dan Loyer Says:
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:50 pm
I can’t believe this !!! why now why the change?? No more life time certification what a joke, like Matt Schrimpf says, its all about money now. CompTIA says they are a not for profit organizations then they pull this? Getting me to think why bother? I am strap for cash now, working full-time and taking a part-time course (believe it or not) Computer Systems Technology program dealing only on the side of Network Administration i.e. Microsoft, CISCO (CCNA/CCNP), by the time I am done All certs will be obsolete.. I think all the certs are for those working in the industry, for those pursuing the entry-level certs, well getting ready to pay$$. Yes I totally agree that technology does change,but at what cost?? having to prep and pay for the renewal fees and exam costs, I think is ridiculous. Just the exam it self is costly enough, its ok if your employer pays for your training or that your making a lot of money in the industry, but starting out will be difficult. Maybe that is why there isn’t many grads in Computer Science programs??? I enjoy working on computers, now working on switches and routers which is interesting but very challenging. Very displeased witht the news
walterbyrd Says:
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:03 pm
> In my opinion, this is illegal and I will be checking with my son who is a prosecuting attorney to see if he agrees. If he does, I’ll consider sueing. You can’t tell people that their certifications are permanent and then change your mind.
You son might be interested in this:
ere is a direct quote from CompTIA’s 2005 website, still viewable in the web archieves:
> “Our certifications are good for life. Once you are certified, you are certified for life. The certifications do not have an expiration date nor do you have to retake a test after an upgrade.”
http://web.archive.org/web/20051001001059/www.comptia.org/certification/default.aspx
Here is a direct quote from CompTIA’s 2003 website, also still viewable in the web archieves:
> “Will I ever need to renew my certification?”
> “No, CompTIA certifications are lifetime certifications.”
http://www.retromags.com/forums/blog/1/entry-74-comptia-reneges-over-800000-lifetime-a-certifications/
Mark N Says:
January 24th, 2010 at 6:56 am
I took my A+ and Network+ back in 2001. Since then I have working in IT non-stop and certainly don’t need to have the basics re-taught. Whilst things have changed a great deal since then it should be a given that anyone working in the industry has kept up to date with those changes through necessity (if nothing else).
Secondly CompTIA have broken the terms of their agreement with me and the multitude of people who fall into this category. For life means for life, re-writing the rulebook is simply not acceptable. I shall not be re-certifying with CompTIA under any circumstances, I am sticking with higher level certs.
In the meanwhile I expect my exisitng certification to remain valid and will seriously consider joint legal action with anyone else who falls into this category.
travis webster Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I am an instructor at Ft. Gordon School of Information Technology. We pump out 100’s of Comptia certified students every month.
I am sure I can get a LARGE number of “LIFETIME” Comptia certified people to sign a petition or join in on a class action lawsuit.
I for one will not renew even if I only have to take Sec+ again to keep my A+ NET+ and Sec+, and it is totally ludicrous to expect some one to pay annually for an entry level certification, when the fee provides to encentives or benefits. As an instructor the CEU’s is not an issue the fee is.
With this mentality you should have to pay your high school an annual fee to keep you diploma current, if you fail to pay the fee you have to go back to kindergarten and start all over because the knowledge has changed. If you have a Phd and have no way to get additional CEU’s you have to repeat your Sr. Year or loose your diploma which reverts to starting at kindergarten.
Travis Wester
Justin Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 8:56 am
The real reason behind this is from the DoD (Department of Defense). They use A+, N+, and Sec + as requirments for ratings. So they want you to stay current. Comptia has had a huge increase in people getting certifed because of this. So yes it’s all about the money and their largest customer. You don’t just have to be a service memeber if your a civilian and work on their systesm you have to have this.
DoD 8570.01-M DoD Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program
Kris Kirkland Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
http://www.comptia.org/News/PressReleases/10-01-26/CompTIA_Certification_Renewal_Policy_Clarified.aspx
According to the link above, this will start next year. Current certificate holders will not have to renew, I didn’t see anything about annual fees though.
Jeremy Needle Says:
January 31st, 2010 at 3:25 am
When I read this, gentlemen, I almost went into a blind rage. I don’t think I have ever been so angry at any certification body in my entire life. However it seems I wasn’t the only one, and the influx of angry responses made comptia realize they had made a bad decision, and they have modified accordingly
http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/renewal.aspx
*Sigh*
Let me tell you about myself: I have been A+ certified since 1999, Network+ and iNet+ [now discontinued] since 2002, and Security+ since 2007.
Since then I’ve also become MCP, MCSA 2000, MCSA 2003, MCSA 2003 Security, CCNA, CCNP, CCNA Security, Cisco SMB Engineer/Account Manager [for mainting Select level partnership], and CNSS 4011.
I’m currently enrolled in the CCIE R&S 360 program.
Can you imagine having to take time away from studying for my CCIE to recertify for intro-level comptia exams because they would be expiring? In fact it would be even worse since my MCSA’s are also dependent on my comptia A+ and Network+ certs!
UTTERLY RIDICULOUS!
Speaking of which, how is this going to work w/ MCSA 2000/2003 certs? Are these suddenly going to de-certify as well? Clearly if you’re an MCSA 2003, you’ve proven your expertise w/ 2003-based networks to Microsoft. Now all of a sudden you are going to have to REPROVE remedial skill sets when you’ve already proven yourself at an intermediate or an advanced level?
*displeased chuckle*
I think when comptia made this decision, they failed to account for those IT professionals in a similar situation as myself. As a 9-year IT Jedi, CONSTANTLY battling the forces of darkness [or more typically, incompetence], I have limited hours to spend studying. It makes sense for me to use my time pursuing advanced certifications, not to waste it recertifying myself on subset of introductory skills.
It is NOT an efficient use of an IT professional’s time.
I would compare this to someone w/ a Bachelors, who is currently employed AND working nights/weekends to complete their Masters, having to “recertify” their Bachelors by taking something like English 101.
I can’t think of any other way to describe this except INCREDIBLY stupid.
Personally I see the need for a work-around, in which comptia officially recognizes other certifications.
Some examples:
Passing CCNA/CCNP/CCIE should count for renewing Network+
Passing SSCP/CISSP/CISA/GSEC/CEH should count for renewing Security+
*rubbing my temples*
Shawn Says:
February 10th, 2010 at 6:58 am
I can understand the renewal every 3 years, but it should be like every 4 or 5 years if you’re working in the field. But I don’t agree with the anual fees to renew. That just plain SUCKS to be charging every year on top of those expensive tests. And I agree that those who got their certifications when they were lifetime should be grandfathered in.
I’m not understanding the renewal fee arrangement. If I have A+, Net+, and CCNA, Do I pay $25 + $49 a year or do I just pay $49 for the higher certification?