CompTIA Security+ Exam Cost 2026: Official Price vs Discounted Vouchers
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) costs $425 in the US. Here is a breakdown of every way to reduce that price, including authorised voucher resellers, student discounts, and employer reimbursement.
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Cyber VK Certification Desk
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The Cyber VK team that tracks exam pricing, voucher terms and certification requirements across vendors.
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Key takeaways
- The official CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam price in the US is $425.
- Authorised voucher resellers routinely offer Security+ for $50 to $100 less than the official price.
- CompTIA offers academic pricing for students and a 10% discount for US military personnel through PearsonVUE.
- A retake voucher costs $330; buying a bundle with a retake guaranteed upfront can save money if you are uncertain about your preparation.
CompTIA Security+ is the most widely held entry-level cybersecurity certification in the United States. It is a DoD 8570/8140 requirement for information assurance roles across US federal agencies and defence contractors, and it appears in more US job postings than any other security certification. The SY0-701 version launched in November 2023 and is the active exam as of 2026. Here is everything you need to know about the cost and how to reduce it.
Official Security+ exam price in the USA — 2026
CompTIA sells the Security+ SY0-701 exam voucher directly through their store at $425 USD. This is the standard retail price with no discounts applied. The voucher is delivered immediately and redeemed on the PearsonVUE platform, where you schedule your exam at a testing centre or via online proctoring. The price has increased from the SY0-601 era ($370) — the SY0-701 launch price was $392, and CompTIA increased it to $425 in early 2025.
| Source | Price (USD) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA official store | $425 | Full price |
| Authorised resellers (avg) | $340 – $395 | Discounted |
| CompTIA academic pricing | ~$340 | For enrolled students with .edu email |
| US military discount (PearsonVUE) | ~$380 | Verified military ID required |
| CompTIA exam retake bundle | $330 (retake only) | Second attempt after first fail |
Is there a free CompTIA Security+ exam voucher?
CompTIA does not offer free exam vouchers to the general public. However, there are legitimate routes to a reduced or zero cost exam. US military servicemembers and veterans can access the MyCAA scholarship, which covers CompTIA certifications for eligible spouses, or the GI Bill through approved training partners. Some US employers sponsor Security+ as a condition of employment in IT roles — particularly in the federal government contracting sector where DoD 8570 applies. CompTIA also runs periodic promotional voucher giveaways through partners like PearsonVUE, typically for a few days at trade events. These are rare and unadvertised.
Buying from an authorised voucher reseller
Authorised resellers purchase vouchers from CompTIA in bulk and pass savings on to individual buyers. The voucher code you receive is identical to one bought directly from CompTIA — it redeems on the same PearsonVUE portal and has the same validity period (typically 12 months). The risk is buying from an unauthorised third party who sells expired or already-used codes. Stick to resellers who are listed as CompTIA Authorised Partners or who offer a money-back guarantee for invalid codes.
How to schedule Security+ on PearsonVUE after buying a voucher
- Create or log into your PearsonVUE account at home.pearsonvue.com/comptia.
- Search for "CompTIA Security+" and select SY0-701.
- Choose your exam delivery: in-person testing centre or online proctored.
- Select your date and time.
- At the payment screen, select "I have a voucher or promotional code" and enter your code.
- Confirm — the voucher covers the full exam cost.
Security+ vs alternatives at a similar price point
At $425, Security+ sits above the eJPT ($249 at INE, $195 at resellers) and below the CEH ($1,199) in the cybersecurity certification market. For US federal and DoD career tracks, Security+ has no practical substitute — it is listed by name in the DoD 8570 framework. For private sector roles, CompTIA CySA+ ($359 official, $199 at CyberVK) is the next step up for analysts moving into threat detection and incident response. CompTIA PenTest+ ($359 official, $199 at CyberVK) covers the offensive side of the portfolio.
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