How Long Does CompTIA A+ Last: Everything New IT Professionals Need To Know Before Certifying

You just stayed up three weekends cramming practice tests, drank way too much energy drink, and finally clicked submit on your CompTIA A+ exam. The screen flashes PASS. Before you even celebrate, the first question that pops into most people's head is: How Long Does CompTIA A+ Last? For anyone building their first IT resume, this isn't just random trivia. Thousands of entry-level tech workers waste hundreds of dollars retesting too early, or let their certification expire right when a dream job opening comes up.

This certification is the most common entry ticket for help desk roles, desktop support, and field tech positions. Over 2 million people have earned A+ since it launched, but most don't understand the expiration rules, renewal options, or exceptions that apply. In this guide, we'll break down exactly how long your certification stays valid, what happens when it expires, how to renew affordably, and common mistakes that will cost you time and money.

Official CompTIA A+ Expiration Period

CompTIA publishes clear rules for all their professional level certifications, and A+ follows the same standard timeline as Network+ and Security+. Once you pass both required A+ exams, your certification remains valid for exactly 3 years from the date you complete the second test. This date does not change if you retake exams early, earn additional certifications, or change jobs. CompTIA sends automated reminder emails starting 6 months before your expiration date, but you should always log into your official CompTIA account to confirm your exact expiration date.

Why Does CompTIA A+ Expire In The First Place?

A lot of new test takers get frustrated that this certification doesn't last forever. This is not just a way for CompTIA to make money. Technology changes fast, and knowledge that was standard for IT techs 10 years ago is now completely obsolete. When CompTIA updated the A+ exam objectives in 2023, they removed almost all content about legacy hard drives and added 12 new sections about cloud support, remote work tools, and modern security protocols.

There are three core reasons CompTIA uses the 3 year expiration window:

• Ensures certified professionals have current knowledge of modern hardware and software
• Gives employers confidence that candidates understand current industry standards
• Aligns A+ with expiration timelines used by every major IT certification body

Before 2010, CompTIA A+ actually was a lifetime certification. They made the switch after multiple employer surveys found that 68% of hiring managers did not trust A+ certifications that were older than 4 years. Many older certified techs had never learned basic skills like troubleshooting wireless networks or mobile devices.

This is important to remember when you see people online saying they have an A+ from 2008 that is still good. While those grandfathered lifetime certifications technically still exist, most modern employers will not accept them for current job openings. Always check job posting requirements before listing an older certification on your resume.

How To Check Your Exact CompTIA A+ Expiration Date

You should never rely on memory for your expiration date. Even one day late will make your certification fully inactive, and you will have to retake both full exams again. CompTIA does not offer grace periods for expired certifications, no matter what the reason.

To find your official expiration date, follow these simple steps:

1. Log into your CompTIA certification account at the official website
2. Navigate to the 'My Certifications' tab on your dashboard
3. Select the active A+ certification from your list
4. Your full expiration date will be listed at the top of the page

You will also get automated emails at 180 days, 90 days, 30 days, and 7 days before expiration. Do not rely solely on these emails. They often get caught in spam filters, or sent to an old email address you used when you first signed up for the exam.

It is good practice to check your expiration date once every 6 months. Set a calendar reminder the same day you pass your exams, so you never get caught off guard. Even if you are not currently working in IT, keeping your certification active is almost always cheaper than retesting later.

CompTIA A+ Renewal Options Compared

You do not have to retake the full A+ exams every 3 years. CompTIA offers multiple ways to renew your certification, most of which are cheaper and faster than sitting for the full tests again. You can complete renewal activities any time during your 3 year active period.

Here is a side by side comparison of all valid renewal methods:

Most people choose to take approved continuing education courses. These are often self paced, can be completed online, and many employers will cover the full cost for their staff. You can find a full list of approved courses directly on CompTIA's website.

The single easiest renewal method is earning a higher CompTIA certification. If you pass Network+ or Security+ at any point while your A+ is active, your A+ will automatically renew for another full 3 years. This is the most popular option for people who are working their way up the IT career ladder.

What Happens When Your CompTIA A+ Expires?

A lot of people assume that an expired A+ is no big deal, or that employers won't check. This is one of the most expensive mistakes that entry level IT workers make. Once your certification expires, you lose all active status immediately.

When your A+ expires:

• You can no longer list it as an active certification on resumes or job applications
• You lose access to CompTIA's certification member benefits and job board
• Any renewal credits you earned are permanently deleted
• You must retake both A+ exams from scratch to get certified again

There are no exceptions, no late renewal fees, and no grace periods. CompTIA enforces this rule equally for everyone. Even if you were one day late because you got sick, you will still have to retake both full exams. This is why planning ahead is so important.

That said, you can still mention an expired A+ on your resume. You just have to clearly mark it as expired. Some employers will still consider it as proof of past experience, but almost all corporate help desk roles will require an active current certification.

Grandfathered Lifetime CompTIA A+ Rules

If you earned your A+ certification before January 1st 2011, you have a lifetime certification. This is one of the most misunderstood rules about CompTIA A+ expiration, and there is a lot of bad information online about it.

Here are the official rules for lifetime A+ certifications:

1. These certifications never expire and will always show as active in your CompTIA account
2. CompTIA will not revoke or cancel these certifications for any reason
3. You are not required to complete any continuing education requirements
4. You may still need to prove current skills for modern job openings

Even though these certifications are technically valid forever, many modern employers will not accept an A+ that is over 10 years old. Most job postings will specify that they require a current version of the A+ exam. This means you may still want to renew even if you have a lifetime certification.

If you are not sure if you have a lifetime certification, check your CompTIA account. Any certification earned before the 2011 cutoff will be clearly marked. You can also contact CompTIA support directly if you have questions about your specific certification status.

Common Mistakes That Shorten Your Active A+ Status

Even if you follow all the official rules, there are common mistakes that people make that can accidentally make their A+ expire early, or force them to retest sooner than necessary. Almost all of these mistakes are completely avoidable with a little planning.

The most common mistakes include:

• Waiting until the last week to start the renewal process
• Using an old email address for your CompTIA account
• Completing unapproved continuing education courses that don't count
• Forgetting that renewal credits expire after 3 years just like the certification
• Assuming your employer will handle renewal for you

The biggest mistake by far is waiting until after expiration. Over 40% of A+ certification holders let their certification expire each year, according to internal CompTIA data published in 2024. Most of these people say they just forgot, or thought they had more time.

You can avoid all of these issues by setting a simple reminder 6 months before your expiration date. That gives you more than enough time to complete renewal requirements, fix any issues, and confirm that your certification has been extended successfully.

At the end of the day, your CompTIA A+ is an investment in your career, and understanding how long it lasts is the first step to protecting that investment. The 3 year validity period might feel inconvenient, but it exists to make sure your certification holds real value for employers. You don't have to stress about expiration, as long as you plan ahead and know your options.

If you are currently studying for A+, write your future self a note with your expiration date the day you pass. If you already have your A+ certification, go check your expiration date today. Even if you have two full years left, start researching renewal options now so you never get caught off guard. Your future self will thank you when that perfect job opening comes up.