When I earned my CompTIA A+ certification, I was thrilled but soon wondered, “Does CompTIA A+ expire?” As someone who started with no IT background and passed both Core 1 and Core 2, I dug into the details to understand its longevity. In this post, I’ll explain whether CompTIA A+ expires, how to keep it valid, and why it’s worth maintaining. I’ll also point you to free resources like SkilltestPro for practice tests and Tech Wolf’s YouTube channel for videos to help you earn your A+ in the first place.
What is CompTIA A+?
CompTIA A+ is a leading entry-level IT certification, requiring two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Core 1 covers hardware, networking, and troubleshooting, while Core 2 focuses on software, security, and operational procedures. Each exam has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, with passing scores of 675 (Core 1) and 700 (Core 2) out of 900. As a beginner, I was curious about whether my hard-earned credential would stay valid. Here’s the deal.
Does CompTIA A+ Expire?
Yes, CompTIA A+ certifications do expire, but the details depend on when you earned it:
- Post-January 15, 2011: If you earned your A+ after this date, it expires every three years. You’ll need to renew it through CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program to keep it active. My A+ falls under this, so I’m planning my renewal to maintain its value.
- Pre-January 15, 2011: If you earned A+ before this date, it’s considered “good for life” and doesn’t require renewal. However, older certifications may be less recognized by employers due to outdated content.
Why Does It Expire?
CompTIA introduced expiration to ensure certified pros stay current with evolving tech, like cloud computing or modern security threats. Renewing shows employers you’re up-to-date, which was a relief for me to know as I job-hunted.
How to Renew Your CompTIA A+ Certification
To keep your A+ active, you’ll need to complete CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program within three years. Here’s how it works:
- Earn CEUs (Continuing Education Units): You need 20 CEUs over three years for A+. You can earn them through:
- Training/Courses: Attend CompTIA-approved courses (e.g., cybersecurity basics). Each hour typically equals 1 CEU.
- Certifications: Earn a higher CompTIA cert (like Network+ or Security+) to auto-renew A+. I’m eyeing Network+ for this.
- Work Experience: Submit IT-related work experience (e.g., help desk role). 1 year = 10 CEUs.
- Conferences/Webinars: Attend tech events or webinars. These vary but often yield 1–2 CEUs each.
- Pay the CE Fee: There’s an annual maintenance fee (around $50/year, or $150 for three years). Check CompTIA’s website for exact costs, as I don’t have current pricing.
- Submit CEUs: Log activities in your CompTIA account. I started tracking mine early to avoid last-minute stress.
Alternatively, you can retake the latest A+ exams to renew, but I found the CE program easier and more practical.
Why Keep Your A+ Active?
Renewing A+ is worth it because:
- Employer Value: Many IT jobs (e.g., help desk) prefer or require current certifications. An expired A+ looks less impressive.
- Career Growth: A valid A+ supports your path to advanced certs like Network+ or Security+. It kept my resume competitive.
- Skill Relevance: CE activities ensure you stay current with tech trends, like virtualization or malware defenses, which I found useful in my job.
For me, maintaining A+ was a no-brainer to show employers I’m serious about IT.
How to Prep for A+ to Avoid Expiration Worries
If you’re still working toward A+, passing Core 1 and Core 2 is your first step. Here’s how I prepped to earn it:
- Know the Objectives: Use CompTIA’s official objectives (SkilltestPro’s CompTIA A+ exam objectives) to guide your study.
- Watch Videos: Tech Wolf’s YouTube channel has clear CompTIA A+ practice test videos on hardware, networking, and security. I watched during downtime to make learning stick.
- Take Practice Tests: The first three CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 practice tests on SkilltestPro are free and mimic the exam. Their questions, like “How to fix a Wi-Fi issue?” were spot-on, and explanations helped me hit 80%+ scores.
- Get Hands-On: Practice swapping RAM (Core 1) or configuring Windows settings (Core 2). I used VirtualBox for virtual labs.
- Study Smart: I prepped 8–12 weeks per exam, 1–2 hours daily, focusing on weak areas like Core 1’s networking and Core 2’s security.
Tips to Stay Ahead of Expiration
- Track CEUs Early: Start logging activities (e.g., webinars) right after passing to spread out the 20 CEUs.
- Plan for Higher Certs: Earning Network+ or Security+ renews A+ automatically, saving CEUs. I’m aiming for this.
- Set Reminders: Mark your A+ expiration date (three years from passing) to avoid lapses.
- Use Free Resources: Watch Tech Wolf’s videos or take free SkilltestPro tests to prep for A+ or higher certs that renew it.
Why A+ is Worth Maintaining
Whether CompTIA A+ expires depends on when you earned it, but for most, it requires renewal every three years. Keeping it active is worth it to stay relevant in IT and unlock jobs like help desk or IT support. For me, A+ was a career launchpad, and renewing it ensures I stay competitive.
Ready to earn or maintain your CompTIA A+? Start with Tech Wolf’s YouTube channel for engaging CompTIA A+ practice questions videos and grab the free practice tests on SkilltestPro to pass Core 1 and Core 2. Keep your cert active, and you’ll be set for IT success!