CompTIA A+: Requirements & Exam Details

Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.

CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral information technology certification issued by CompTIA. There are no published prerequisites for eligibility, though CompTIA recommends that candidates have between nine and twelve months of hands-on IT experience before attempting the certification. The credential is earned by passing two exams: CompTIA A+ Core 1 and CompTIA A+ Core 2. As of June 2026, the exam fee is $265 per exam, for a total base cost of $530 for both attempts. This fee is subject to change; candidates should verify the current cost directly on CompTIA's official website before registering.

Once earned, the CompTIA A+ credential remains valid for three years from the date of certification. Renewal requirements and eligibility rules are established by CompTIA and may change. Candidates interested in pursuing this certification should confirm all current prerequisites, fees, renewal policies, and registration procedures on CompTIA's official website, as this information is maintained by the issuing body and is authoritative.

Register with the issuer. Eligibility, fees and renewal rules are set by CompTIA and can change — confirm on the official page.

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