CompTIA A+ Certification Cost in 2026: Two Exams, Total Price & Savings

CompTIA A+ has the most misunderstood price tag in the lineup, because it's two exams, not one. Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) each cost $274 in 2026, so the real total to certify is $548 — before study materials. Here's the full breakdown, plus how to keep it as low as possible.

Two exams make the A+ math easy to get wrong — the free CompTIA exam cost calculator totals both cores plus retakes and discounts in about 30 seconds.

Per-exam prices vary by region and reseller and change over time — confirm on the official CompTIA store. For all certs side by side, see the CompTIA exam cost breakdown.

Why A+ Really Costs $548

A+ certifies you only after you pass both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Each voucher is a separate $274 purchase and a separate exam sitting, so the certification's true cost is $548 in voucher fees alone. Passing one core banks that half, but you're not certified — and not spending is not an option — until you clear the other. This is the single biggest surprise in the A+ budget.

Retake Fees

Each core is scored separately, and a failed core costs the full voucher price again — there's no discounted re-entry. You can retake immediately after a first failure, with a 14-day wait from the third attempt on. Because you're already buying two vouchers, a mistimed retake can push A+ well past $548, so make sure you're ready for each core before you book it.

How to Pay Less

1. Academic / student pricing — A+ is a common first cert, and CompTIA's academic store discounts are significant across both vouchers.
2. Military & veteran — DoD and COOL programs can cover both exams.
3. Bundles — a two-exam or voucher-plus-retake bundle can shave the total if you buy directly from CompTIA.
4. Don't over-buy training — you're already paying for two exams; keep prep cheap.

Renewal Cost (Every 3 Years)

A+ is valid for three years. Renew by earning Continuing Education Units over the cycle (plus a small CE maintenance fee, roughly $25–50/year) or by earning a higher-level CompTIA cert like Network+ or Security+, which renews A+ automatically. That upgrade path is often the best value: one higher exam renews A+ and advances your career.

The Cheapest Way to Prepare

With $548 already committed to vouchers, prep is where you protect your budget. CompTIA CertMaster runs $149–349 per cert, and that's on top of two exam fees. You don't need it — you need broad, repeated practice across both cores.

SecuSpark has 1,252 A+ practice questions spanning Core 1 and Core 2, with 3 full exams free, and Campaign Pass unlocks everything for $14.99/mo or $34.99/quarter — a rounding error next to the exam fees. Start on the A+ practice test, and know your targets with the A+ passing score guide.