CompTIA A+ Core 1 renewal happens through CompTIA's Continuing Education program: the certification is valid for a set cycle of years, and you keep it current either by earning CEUs within that cycle or by passing the current version of the exam again. Full A+ requires renewing alongside the same-cycle Core 2 credential.
If you're asking does comptia a+ core 1 expire, the short answer is yes — but CompTIA gives you a straightforward way to keep it current without necessarily retaking the exam from scratch.
comptia a+ core 1 validity: how long does it last?
CompTIA A+ certifications are valid for three years from the date you earn them. After that, the certification lapses unless you renew it through CompTIA's Continuing Education (CE) program before the cycle ends.
How does CompTIA A+ Core 1 renewal actually work?
CompTIA's CE program gives you two official paths to renew:
- Earn CEUs (Continuing Education Units) within your three-year cycle, through qualifying activities CompTIA recognizes under the A+ CE track
- Pass the current version of the exam again, which resets your validity period from that new pass date
Most working professionals renew through CEUs rather than retaking the exam, since it lets ongoing work and training count toward keeping the credential current.
Does renewal cover the full A+ certification, or just Core 1?
This matters: the full CompTIA A+ certification requires passing both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), and CompTIA requires both to come from the same exam version. When you renew, keep both halves of your A+ credential in view — check CompTIA's CE program details for how Core 1 and Core 2 renewal dates interact, rather than assuming one automatically covers the other.
What happens if I let it lapse?
CompTIA's published policy is that certifications not renewed within the CE cycle lapse. If that happens, retaking the current version of the exam is the way back in. This is one more reason to track your renewal window well before the three-year mark rather than discovering it has already passed.
Building renewal into your plan
Set a reminder well ahead of your three-year validity window so you have time to either accumulate the required CEUs or schedule a retake, rather than discovering the deadline has already passed. If a retake turns out to be your path, revisit the exam format and exam objectives pages, since CompTIA updates exam versions over time and the current version may differ from the one you originally passed. Our practice test and sample questions are useful refreshers even if your main renewal path is CEUs rather than a retake, since they're a quick way to confirm your knowledge hasn't drifted.
If you're pursuing renewal as part of a broader certification track, the career path page shows how Core 1 connects to CompTIA's higher-level exams, which can also factor into your CE activity planning.
Why the CE program exists
CompTIA's Continuing Education requirement reflects how fast IT hardware, networking, and virtualization practices change. A credential earned years ago on an older exam version can drift out of step with current tools and threats if nothing is done to keep it current, so the CE program exists to give employers and clients confidence that your certification still reflects active, up-to-date knowledge rather than a one-time test result. Treating renewal as a normal part of maintaining your credential, rather than an afterthought you deal with only once a deadline is close, keeps the certification working for you the way it was intended.
Keeping track of your own renewal timeline
Because the CE cycle runs from your original pass date, and Core 1 and Core 2 may not have been passed on the same day, it's worth keeping a simple personal record of both exam dates and the corresponding renewal deadlines. CompTIA's own account portal is the authoritative source for your current status, so check it directly rather than relying on memory as your three-year window approaches.
Exam facts on this page come from CompTIA’s own pages (official exam page). Prices, versions and policies change — confirm there before you book.