Two exams, roughly $246–$253 each, plus whatever you spend preparing — that's the CompTIA A+ price in a sentence. But the range people actually pay runs from under $300 (disciplined self-studier with free YouTube prep) to over $2,000 (instructor-led bootcamp with retake insurance). The gap is almost entirely explained by study method, not exam difficulty. This guide breaks down what each CompTIA certification costs, where the real money goes, and how to cut that bill without cutting corners.
CompTIA Price by Certification: Current Exam Voucher Fees
CompTIA sells exam vouchers through its store and authorized resellers. Prices below are US retail for a single attempt. Voucher prices change periodically — always verify at comptia.org before purchasing.
- A+ Core 1 (220-1201) — ~$246–$253 per exam; two required, so ~$492–$506 total
- A+ Core 2 (220-1202) — same price tier, bundled with Core 1 if purchased together
- Network+ (N10-009) — ~$338 (single exam)
- Security+ (SY0-701) — ~$392 (single exam)
- CySA+ (CS0-003) — ~$392 (single exam)
- SecurityX / CASP+ (CAS-005) — ~$466 (single exam)
- PenTest+ (PT0-003) — ~$392 (single exam)
- SecAI+ (CY0-001) — new credential; ~$338 at launch, confirm current rate
A+ is the only CompTIA certification requiring two separate exams, which is why its total CompTIA price feels steeper than certs like Network+ or Security+ — even though those single-exam fees are individually higher.
The Real CompTIA A+ Price: Exam + Prep + Retakes
The voucher is the floor, not the ceiling. Here's where budgets actually land:
Self-Study Path (~$300–$500 total)
Two exam vouchers plus a $30–$60 study guide or Udemy video course. Professor Messer's free notes plus one paid practice exam set is the most common low-cost approach. Pass rate is highly correlated with how many practice tests you run, not how expensive your materials are.
Online Course + Practice Tests (~$500–$800 total)
Vouchers plus a structured video course ($20–$80 on Udemy during a sale) plus dedicated practice exam software ($30–$60). This is the sweet spot for most people working full-time — you get structure without the bootcamp price tag. Many CompTIA A+ takers in this bracket also add a retake voucher ($150–$180) as insurance.
Instructor-Led Bootcamp (~$1,200–$2,500 total)
Live online or in-person courses from providers like New Horizons or CompTIA's own CertMaster Learn. These often bundle both exam vouchers in the price and include hands-on labs. Worth it if your employer reimburses — harder to justify out-of-pocket when free YouTube channels cover the same content.
Community College Programs (~$800–$1,500 total)
Many community colleges run IT certificate programs aligned to CompTIA A+. Tuition varies, but these often include exam vouchers in the fee and qualify for WIOA workforce grants in some states, bringing the net CompTIA price close to zero for qualifying students.
How to Reduce the CompTIA Price You Actually Pay
Several legitimate discount paths exist that most guides skip over:
- Academic pricing: Students and educators can get up to 50% off exam vouchers through CompTIA's academic program.
- Voucher bundles: Buying Core 1 and Core 2 together is cheaper than two separate purchases. CompTIA periodically runs bundle promotions.
- Third-party resellers: Sites like CertBlaster or ExamCompass occasionally sell discounted vouchers; confirm they're authorized before purchasing.
- Employer reimbursement: Many mid-size MSPs and IT departments cover certification costs — ask before you pay. CompTIA publishes a template reimbursement request letter on their site.
- VET TEC / GI Bill: Military veterans can use education benefits to cover the full CompTIA price including prep materials.
- WIOA grants: State workforce agencies sometimes fund IT certifications under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Check your state's workforce development board.
CompTIA Price vs. Salary Outcome: The ROI Case
The A+ certification consistently anchors entry-level IT salaries between $40,000 and $55,000 in the US (help desk, desktop support, field tech roles). At a $500 all-in cost, the payback period is measurable in weeks once employed. That's a better ROI ratio than most degree programs.
The progression path matters more than the individual cert price. A+ → Network+ → Security+ takes most people 18–24 months and unlocks system administrator and junior security analyst roles in the $65,000–$90,000 range. Total outlay for all three: roughly $1,200–$1,500 in exam fees alone. That's still less than one semester of community college.
Where CompTIA price starts to hurt is if you fail and retake. Two failed A+ attempts before passing adds $500+ and several months to your timeline. Practice test throughput before exam day is the single best predictor of pass rate — budget for that before buying a retake voucher.
Top Courses for CompTIA Exam Prep
These are the highest-rated options currently available, ordered by relevance to common CompTIA paths:
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Full Course & Practice Exam
Covers the full 220-1201 exam objectives with video lectures plus a bundled practice exam. Rated 9.4 on Udemy — one of the most consistently updated A+ courses available, which matters because CompTIA revised the A+ objectives when they released the 1201/1202 series.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) 6 Practice Tests [2026]
Six full-length practice exams mapped to current exam domains. If you're already working through a video course, this is the most direct way to stress-test your readiness before paying for the actual voucher. Rated 9.4.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep 2026 – For Beginners
The natural next cert after A+. This course is tailored for candidates coming from an A+ background with no prior security experience — it doesn't assume deep networking knowledge. Rated 9.5.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) 1,000+ Practice Questions 2026
1,000+ questions is more than the average Security+ candidate will see across three full practice runs. At a Udemy sale price, it's the cheapest way to simulate exam pressure and identify knowledge gaps before exam day. Rated 9.5.
CompTIA SecAI+ Fundamentals: AI Cybersecurity Basics CY0-001
CompTIA's newest certification targeting AI-aware security roles. If you're planning your certification path now and targeting 2026–2027 job postings, SecAI+ is the credential employers will start requiring for anything adjacent to AI infrastructure or ML ops security. Rated 9.6.
CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005) 6 Practice Exams
For experienced practitioners targeting the advanced SecurityX credential. Six full practice exams is the right volume for a cert at this level — the real exam includes complex performance-based questions that require extended practice to handle under time pressure. Rated 9.0.
FAQ
What is the CompTIA A+ exam price in 2026?
CompTIA A+ requires two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Each voucher costs approximately $246–$253 in the US, putting the total exam price at roughly $492–$506 if purchased separately. CompTIA periodically adjusts pricing — verify at comptia.org before buying.
Can I take only one of the two A+ exams?
Yes, but you won't be certified until you pass both. There's no requirement to take them on the same day or in the same month. Many candidates pass Core 1 first, then schedule Core 2 four to six weeks later. Each voucher is valid for 12 months from purchase.
Does CompTIA offer discounts on exam vouchers?
Yes. Academic pricing (up to 50% off) is available to students and faculty through CompTIA's academic program. Bundle discounts apply when purchasing both A+ exams together. Employer reimbursement is common in IT roles — ask HR before paying out of pocket.
How much does it cost to retake a CompTIA exam?
Retakes cost the same as a first attempt — you purchase a new voucher at full price. If you're concerned about failing, some training providers sell "retake bundles" that include two vouchers at a slight discount. CompTIA's own retake policy allows unlimited attempts but requires a 14-day wait between attempts 1 and 2, and a 14-day wait between any subsequent attempts.
Is CompTIA Security+ more expensive than A+?
Security+ is a single exam (~$392) versus A+'s two-exam requirement (~$492–$506 combined). So per-attempt, Security+ costs more — but A+ total CompTIA price is higher because of the mandatory two-exam structure. Network+ (~$338) is currently the cheapest of the three.
How does CompTIA pricing compare to other IT certifications?
CompTIA sits in the mid-tier range. AWS and Azure associate-level exams run $165–$180 per attempt. Cisco CCNA is $330. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) runs $950–$1,199 for the exam alone. CompTIA A+ at ~$500 total is competitive given its universal employer recognition among entry-level IT roles.
Bottom Line: What You Should Actually Spend
If you're targeting A+ as your entry into IT, budget $500–$600 total: two exam vouchers plus one good video course and one dedicated practice exam set. Do not pay for an in-person bootcamp unless your employer covers it or you qualify for a workforce development grant.
The CompTIA price equation only works in your favor if you pass on the first attempt. That means running practice exams until you're consistently hitting 80%+ before you schedule the real thing — not when you feel "ready." The $246 retake fee is the most expensive money you can spend on this cert.
For anyone planning their full certification path: A+ → Network+ → Security+ is still the most employer-recognized sequence for IT support roles. Total CompTIA price across all three is roughly $1,200–$1,500 in vouchers. Spread over 18–24 months, that's a manageable investment toward roles that pay $65,000–$90,000 in most US markets.