CompTIA A+ Exam Cost 2026
Here is the catch that surprises almost everyone: A+ is two separate exams, so the cost is effectively double. Core 1 and Core 2 run about $253 each — roughly $506 in fees just to get certified. Below is the true total, retakes, the money-saving bundle voucher, renewal, and how to pay less.
01 Why CompTIA A+ costs double
Core 1 covers hardware, networking, mobile devices and cloud basics. Core 2 covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting and operational procedures. You must pass both to be certified — passing only one earns you nothing toward the credential, and each exam is purchased and sat independently. The exams can be taken in either order, at a Pearson VUE test center or online via OnVUE proctoring, but each is a full-price seat.
02 The true total cost of getting certified
The two voucher fees are only the floor. Once you add light preparation and the real-world chance of a resit on one of the two exams, the realistic spend for a typical self-study candidate looks like this:
Typical self-study path to A+ certified (both exams)
03 How the price compares to other CompTIA certs
A+ does not look the most expensive per exam — but remember the bar below shows what you actually pay to certify, and A+ is the only one here that bundles two fees together:
Per exam, A+ is actually CompTIA's cheapest core certification — Network+ (around $369) and Security+ (around $404) each cost more for their single sitting. The twist is that A+ needs two of those cheaper exams, so its all-in fee leapfrogs both. Figures for Network+ and Security+ move with CompTIA updates and tax, so treat them as approximate guides for planning a certification path.
04 Every fee, explained
Beyond the two headline vouchers, here is every charge you might meet across the life of an A+ certification — and the ones that are reassuringly free.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core 1 voucher (220-1101) | ~$253 | First of two required exams; per attempt |
| Core 2 voucher (220-1102) | ~$253 | Second required exam; per attempt |
| Two-exam bundle | Often below ~$506 | CompTIA's A+ voucher bundle; usually beats two singles |
| Retake (each exam) | ~$253 | No free resit; no wait for 2nd try, 14-day wait from 3rd |
| Reschedule | Free | Via Pearson VUE if you move it more than 24h ahead |
| No-show / late cancel | Forfeit the voucher | Miss the slot or cancel inside 24h and you lose it |
| Renewal (CompTIA CE) | $0–~$150/yr | Valid 3 years; free CEUs, or CertMaster CE ~$149/yr |
05 How to spend less getting certified
You cannot avoid paying for two exams, but you can shave real money off the total — and dodge the costly resit on either core.
Buy the two-exam bundle
CompTIA's A+ voucher bundle for Core 1 + Core 2 is usually priced below two separate vouchers — often a 10–15% saving. If you will sit both (you must, to certify), the bundle is normally the cheapest official route.
Try an exam + CertMaster bundle
CompTIA also bundles vouchers with CertMaster Learn or Labs. If you want structured study anyway, the bundle price often undercuts buying training and two vouchers separately.
Use an academic discount
Students and educators can buy A+ vouchers through CompTIA's academic store at reduced rates. If you qualify, it is one of the largest legitimate discounts available.
Pass both on the first try
The biggest saving of all. Each resit is another ~$253, so practice that mirrors the real exam removes the largest variable from a two-exam budget. Preparation pays for itself many times over.
Ask your employer
Many IT teams reimburse certification fees or buy vouchers in bulk — and A+ being two exams means double the reimbursement value. A quick ask can move the entire cost off your own card.
06 FAQ
How much does the CompTIA A+ certification cost in 2026?
A+ requires two separate exams, so the cost is effectively double a normal exam. Each voucher — Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102) — is around $253 USD, so you need roughly $506 in exam fees alone to get certified. CompTIA prices in USD and single vouchers have recently appeared in the ~$246–265 range, so treat $253 as approximate and confirm the live price before buying.
Why does CompTIA A+ cost double — because it needs two exams?
Yes. Unlike Network+ or Security+, which are a single exam, A+ is the only core CompTIA cert that requires passing TWO exams — Core 1 (220-1101) for hardware, networking and mobile, and Core 2 (220-1102) for operating systems, security and troubleshooting. You pay a separate voucher for each, so the all-in fee is roughly $506 instead of about $253. You must pass both; one alone earns nothing.
Is the two-exam bundle cheaper than buying vouchers separately?
Often, yes. CompTIA sells an A+ two-exam voucher bundle and exam-plus-CertMaster training bundles that usually cost less than two separate vouchers — frequently a 10–15% saving. If you are confident you will sit both exams, the bundle is normally the cheapest official route. Always compare the live bundle price against two singles, since promotions change.
Do you have to pay again to retake a CompTIA A+ exam?
Yes — there is no free retake. If you fail Core 1 or Core 2 you buy another full voucher (~$253) for that exam. There is no wait before your second attempt, but CompTIA requires a 14-day wait from the third attempt onward. Because each exam is paid separately, failing one costs another full voucher — which is why first-time passes matter so much on a two-exam cert.
