How Much Does a CompTIA Certification Cost? (2026 Breakdown)
Access Computer TrainingLive IT certification training · Tampa Bay & online · Updated August 2026
What a CompTIA Certification Cost Actually Includes
When people ask what a CompTIA certification costs, they usually mean the exam voucher — but the real total has two parts:
- The exam voucher — the fee to sit each certification exam (roughly $150–$500+, depending on the cert).
- Training — how you prepare, from free videos to self-study kits to live, instructor-led classes.
Everything else — retakes, study materials, and renewal — is optional or occasional. Below is exactly what each piece costs in 2026, and how funding can cover most of it.
CompTIA Exam Fees by Certification (2026)
Here are the approximate U.S. exam voucher prices for each CompTIA certification. Tap any cert to see ACT’s training for it.
| Certification | Exam(s) | Approx. fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Tech+ | FC0-U71 | ~$146 |
| CompTIA A+ | Core 1 + Core 2 | ~$253 each (~$506) |
| CompTIA Network+ | N10-009 | ~$369 |
| CompTIA Security+ | SY0-701 | ~$404 |
| CompTIA Linux+ | XK0-005 | ~$369 |
| CompTIA Cloud+ | CV0-003 | ~$369 |
| CompTIA CySA+ | CS0-003 | ~$404 |
| CompTIA PenTest+ | PT0-002 | ~$404 |
| CompTIA SecurityX (CASP+) | CAS-005 | ~$509 |
Approximate U.S. list prices — CompTIA updates pricing periodically, so confirm the current fee at comptia.org before you register. ACT programs include the voucher, so students don’t pay these separately.
Training Costs: Free Study vs. Instructor-Led
Preparation is where costs vary the most — and where they matter most, because passing on the first try saves you a retake fee.
Self-study
Free videos plus a study guide ($30–$60), practice exams ($100–$200), and optional lab access. Cheapest up front, but you’re on your own for structure, hands-on practice, and accountability — the top reasons people fail and pay to retake.
Live, instructor-led training
Structured classes with real labs, instructor support, a practice-exam gate, and — at ACT — the exam voucher and one retake built in. Costs more up front, but it’s the highest-pass-rate path, and funding often covers it.
The Hidden Costs of CompTIA Certification
Three costs surprise people — plan for them, or choose a program that removes them:
- Retake fees. Fail an exam and you pay roughly the same fee again. (ACT includes one retake.)
- Renewal / continuing education. Most CompTIA certs expire after three years; you renew through CompTIA’s continuing-education program (a modest annual/bundle fee) or by earning a higher cert.
- Study materials & practice tests. Quality practice exams and labs add up if you buy them piecemeal.
Because every ACT program includes the exam voucher and one retake, the two costs most likely to blow your budget — the voucher and a failed-exam retake — are already covered.
How to Get CompTIA Certified for Free (or Funded)
For many students, the real cost is a fraction of the list price — or nothing at all — because training can be funded. Depending on your employment status and county, you may qualify for:
- Workforce grant funding — may cover part or all of tuition for eligible job seekers and career-changers. Learn more.
- VA education benefits — Post-9/11 GI Bill® and VR&E for eligible veterans. See VA options.
- Employer sponsorship — many Tampa Bay employers pay for staff to certify.
- Included vouchers & payment plans — every ACT program includes the voucher; see all funding options.
Award amounts and eligibility are determined by the funding agency, not by ACT. We’ll help you check what you may qualify for on a free call.
Find Out What Your Training Could Cost You
Book a free Career Strategy Call and we’ll price out your certification path — and check what funding you may qualify for — in about 15 minutes.
Book a Free Career Strategy Call or call 855-9-LEARNIT (855-953-2764)Is a CompTIA Certification Worth the Cost?
For most people, yes — the return dwarfs the outlay. A few hundred dollars in exam fees (and funded training) leads to roles that pay well from day one: entry IT support starts around $40k–$55k, and Security+ can open security-analyst roles in the $65k–$90k range. Against a first-year salary, the certification pays for itself in weeks, not years.
See real local numbers in our IT jobs in Tampa Bay guide, and read graduate success stories from students who made the switch.
Train with ACT — Voucher Included
Access Computer Training is a Florida CIE-licensed school (#5237) that makes CompTIA certification affordable and funded — live online across Florida and in person in the Tampa Bay area.
- Exam voucher and one retake included in every certification program
- Live, instructor-led training with hands-on labs — the highest-pass-rate path
- Workforce grant and VA funding navigated with you — subject to eligibility
- 90 days of career coaching after you finish · 5.0★ from 117 graduate reviews
CompTIA Cost & Funding FAQs
How much does a CompTIA certification cost?
The exam voucher for a single CompTIA certification runs roughly $150 to $500+ depending on the cert — for example, CompTIA A+ is about $253 per exam (two exams), and Security+ is about $404. Training is separate, but at ACT the voucher is included and funding may cover most or all of the cost.
How much does the CompTIA A+ cost?
CompTIA A+ requires two exams (Core 1 and Core 2) at roughly $253 each, or about $506 total. ACT’s A+ program includes the voucher, so you don’t pay that fee on top of tuition.
Is the exam voucher included in training?
At ACT, yes — every certification program includes the exam voucher and one retake, so the two biggest cost risks are already covered.
Can I get CompTIA certification for free?
Possibly. Depending on your employment status and county, workforce grant funding or VA benefits may cover part or all of your training. Eligibility is determined by the funding agency.
Do CompTIA certifications expire, and does renewal cost money?
Most CompTIA certifications are valid for three years. You renew through CompTIA’s continuing-education program (a modest fee) or by earning a higher certification — which is one more reason to follow the certification roadmap.
Which CompTIA certification gives the best return on cost?
CompTIA A+ has the lowest barrier and opens help desk roles quickly, while Security+ tends to deliver the biggest salary jump for the money. Both pay for themselves fast against a first-year IT salary.
Get a Clear Price — and a Funding Plan
Stop guessing what certification will cost you. Book a free Career Strategy Call and we’ll map your path and funding in about 15 minutes.
Book a Free Career Strategy Call or call 855-9-LEARNIT (855-953-2764) · 5.0★ from 117 reviews · Florida CIE-licensed #5237Sources: CompTIA — official certifications & pricing and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Exam fees and salary figures are estimates — verify current details before you rely on them.
