Earning a CompTIA certification—whether it’s Security+, CySA+, or a specialized credential—is more than a line on your resume; it’s a significant career milestone. It proves you have the foundational or specialized knowledge needed to excel in a demanding and constantly evolving field.

But in the fast-paced world of technology and cybersecurity, the moment you pass the exam, the clock starts ticking. The true measure of a tech professional isn’t just earning a certification, but consistently maintaining it. The process of renewing your CompTIA certification through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) isn’t just an administrative chore; it’s a crucial mechanism for career longevity and skill currency.

The Hidden Value in the CEU Process

Many see CEUs as a hoop to jump through, but they are designed to solve a critical industry problem: skill decay. As technology continues to evolve, it is important for a candidate’s knowledge and skills to be current and relevant. Cybersecurity threats, cloud architectures, and development methodologies change rapidly. A professional with a four-year-old certification who hasn’t engaged in ongoing education is simply not the same as one who has actively worked to stay current.

The CEU requirement forces a critical and beneficial behavior: lifelong learning. By tracking your CEUs, you are formally documenting your commitment to:

• Staying Current with Threats: For cybersecurity professionals, this is non-negotiable, as CompTIA’s certifications are updated with new content developed with subject matter experts from across the industry.
• Skill Demonstration Without Re-testing: The Continuing Education program provides a variety of relevant methods of exhibiting necessary knowledge and skill without requiring retesting.
• Career Alignment: The CEU process can be directly tied to your career path. Are you aiming for management? Are you specializing in cloud security? Your CEU activities should reflect that strategy.

The Challenge: Simplifying the Path to Renewal

While the goal is clear, the path can sometimes be confusing. The renewal cycle for CompTIA certifications is three years from the date you earn it. Professionals often struggle with key questions:

• How Many CEUs Do I Need? Renewal requirements vary by certification level. For example, a CompTIA A+ requires 20 CEUs with a program fee of $75 , while Security+ requires 50 CEUs with a program fee of $150.
• What Exactly Qualifies? CEUs can be earned in a variety of ways.
• How Do I Track This Information? The administrative hurdles often cause unnecessary stress and can lead to lapsing a valuable credential.

This is where strategic guidance becomes essential.

Join Our Webinar to Master Your Maintenance Strategy

To help you move from confusion to clarity, Applied Technology Academy (ATA) is teaming up with CompTIA for an essential live webinar designed to demystify the entire CEU process.

This session features industry experts Tara Dean, Sr. Account Director, US Federal Government for CompTIA , and Jeff Felice, EVP, Client Services at Applied Technology Academy (ATA).

We’ll cover thought leadership details and practical steps that will empower you to manage your credentials with confidence, following this agenda:

• Strategic CEU Alignment: How to choose activities that not only count for renewal but also directly support your long-term career goals and your organization’s mission.
• Maximizing Your Time: Discover the most effective ways to earn CEUs through activities you’re likely already doing. This includes earning another certification , completing a training course or live webinar , teaching or mentoring , and demonstrating work experience.
• Streamlined Renewal: Learn the powerful rule that simplifies renewal: if you hold more than one CompTIA certification, you only need to meet the renewal requirements for your highest-level certification to automatically renew all lower-level certifications.
• The Submission Roadmap: A simple, step-by-step guide to seamlessly submitting and tracking your units. The process involves logging into your account, signing the Code of Ethics, paying any outstanding maintenance fees, and uploading documentation.

ATA’s Role in Your Renewal

Applied Technology Academy (ATA) provides training solutions that are directly applicable to your CompTIA renewal. ATA offers foundational through advanced IT, cybersecurity, cloud, and emerging technology training.

• Flexible Options: Choose from over 300 courses available via in-person , online live , or self-paced mentor supported modalities.
• Funding Solutions: Learn how to fund your training through a variety of options including AF COOL, ARMY CA, VR&E, CareerSource (in Florida), and unit/group funding options like GSA Schedule.

Don’t let your investment in your certification lapse due to administrative oversight. Renewing your credentials should be a seamless and enriching part of your professional development.

Maintain Your CompTIA Certifications with Ease

• Date: October 23, 2025
• Time: 11:00 am EST

A live Q&A session with experts from ATA and CompTIA will follow the main presentation.

Give yourself the confidence and strategy to maintain your credentials and keep your career on track.

Save Your Spot: https://appliedtechac.zoom.us/meeting/register/dEQytu1ZTWmMIVcLXYf0Ew

Contact Us for Training:

• Phone: 800.674.3550 
• Email: sales@appliedtechac.com