What each cert really costs, from exam to renewal
One exam costs from $99 for Microsoft SC-900 to $999 for GIAC GSEC. The usual first certs: Security+ is $439, the two A+ exams are $548, and ISC2 CC is $199. Keeping a cert costs nothing for SC-900 and up to $135 a year for SSCP or CISSP. Every price links to the issuer's own page. Checked on Nov 10, 2026.
Show my cert and total costExam, retake and renewal costs
US list prices in US dollars, before tax. The 3-year total is our math: the exam plus renewal fees over three years, assuming you pass the first time.
| Cert | Exam (US) | Retake option | To keep it | 3-year total | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ (2 exams) | $274 × 2 | $359 × 2 with one retake each | $75 per 3 years | $623 | comptia.org |
| CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) | $399 | $519 with one retake | $150 per 3 years | $549 | comptia.org |
| CompTIA Security+ V7 (SY0-701) | $439 | $579 with one retake | $150 per 3 years | $589 | comptia.org |
| CompTIA Security+ V8 (SY0-801) | Not posted yet; expected on or around Nov 17, 2026. Check price on CompTIA's V8 page | Not posted yet | $150 per 3 years | — | comptia.org |
| CompTIA CySA+ V4 (CS0-004) | $439 | $579 with one retake | $150 per 3 years | $589 | comptia.org |
| ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) | $199 | $299 two-try option (2nd try within 180 days) | $50 a year | $349 | isc2.org |
| ISC2 SSCP | $249 | $328 two-try option | $135 a year ($50 as an Associate) | $654 | isc2.org |
| ISC2 CISSP | $749 | $998 two-try option | $135 a year ($50 as an Associate) | $1,154 | isc2.org |
| Microsoft SC-900 | $99 | First retake after 24 hours | Never expires | $99 | learn.microsoft.com |
| Cisco CCST Cybersecurity (100-160) | $125 | Not listed on the exam page | Valid 5 years | $125 | cisco.com |
| GIAC GSEC | $999 | $899 per retake | $499 every 4 years | $999 | giac.org |
| Google Cybersecurity Certificate (Coursera) | $49 a month | No exam | No renewal | —* | coursera.org |
If you fail: retakes, honestly
CompTIA (A+, Network+, Security+, CySA+)
You can retake right away after a first fail. After that you wait at least 14 days. CompTIA says it offers no free retakes or retake discounts, so each try needs a new voucher.
A "Voucher Plus Retake Assurance" includes one retake. For Security+ it costs $579, which is $140 more than the plain voucher. Two plain vouchers would cost $878. If you're unsure you'll pass, the bundle is cheaper.
Vouchers are good for 12 months from purchase. Don't buy one long before you're ready.
ISC2 (CC, SSCP, CISSP)
After a fail you wait 30 days, then 60 after a second fail, then 90. You get at most four tries in 12 months. Moving your exam date costs $50 and cancelling costs $100. ISC2 also sells "Exam with Peace of Mind Protection", two tries within 180 days: $299 for CC (versus $199 for one try), $328 for SSCP and $998 for CISSP.
GIAC and others
A GSEC retake costs $899. Microsoft lets you retake SC-900 24 hours after a first fail.
Keeping a cert: renewal fees
- CompTIA: certs last three years. To renew, you log training hours (CEUs, continuing education units) and pay a fee: $75 for A+ or $150 for Network+, Security+ and CySA+, per three years. You can pay any time in the three years. Renewing a higher cert renews the lower ones, so a Security+ holder doesn't also pay for A+.
- ISC2: a yearly fee of $50 for CC alone, or $135 once you hold SSCP or CISSP. You pay one fee no matter how many ISC2 certs you have. You also earn CPE credits (continuing education) each three-year cycle.
- GIAC: $499 to renew, plus 36 credits over four years.
- Microsoft SC-900: does not expire.
- Cisco CCST: lasts five years if earned after July 15, 2025. You renew by passing an exam again.
Costs that aren't the exam
None of these are required. You can pass with free videos and free labs. If you want official prep, here are two real prices:
- CompTIA's Security+ practice tests (CertMaster Practice): $209.
- The Google Cybersecurity Certificate: $49 a month after a 7-day free trial. Coursera says most people finish for less than $300.
For free prep, see free labs and courses.
Outside the US?
These are US prices. ISC2 says its prices and taxes depend on where you test, and Microsoft prices by country too. CompTIA's site asks for your country. Pick yours on the issuer's page before you buy.
Get told when a price changes
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