The short version
Yes, SecAI+ expires. CompTIA’s continuing education page lists 15 continuing education units (CEUs) for SecAI+ on a three-year renewal cycle, and you can renew without sitting the exam again. If you fail CY0-001, you can retry right away once, but later attempts need a 14-day wait. Details below come from CompTIA pages checked on October 22, 2026.
Does the credential expire?
CompTIA’s renewal policy says its continuing education (CE) certifications are valid for three years from the certification date. The CE page puts SecAI+ in that program with a requirement of 15 CEUs, to be earned inside your three-year cycle. The cycle starts when you pass, not when you book.
CompTIA does not print a cost for renewal on these pages, so check your CompTIA account for current fees.
How renewal works
You collect CEUs during the cycle and submit them. CompTIA lists several ways to earn them:
- CertMaster CE. CompTIA presents this as the quick route to renew.
- Other certifications. CompTIA and some non-CompTIA IT certifications earn partial or full CEUs.
- Approved training. Preapproved courses count.
- Documented activities. Training and higher education, industry participation, publishing, and work experience are on the list.
Earning a higher-level CompTIA certification is listed as a full-CEU option. The page does not spell out further rules for it, so confirm the details in your account before you rely on it.
The rule that matters most: activities must fall inside your cycle. CompTIA’s help center says CE activities completed after the expiration date cannot be submitted.
What happens if it lapses
CompTIA’s renewal policy describes a 30-day grace period. It lets you pay outstanding CE fees, or submit CEUs earned within the original three-year cycle. After that, the policy says you must pass the latest exam version to regain the certification.
So the cheap mistake is waiting. Missing the window turns a paperwork task into a full exam.
CompTIA’s pages do not say whether the grace period applies to every certification in the same way. Read the policy text for your own certificate.
Retake rules for CY0-001
The retake rules sit in CompTIA’s candidate agreement:
| Attempt | What the agreement says |
|---|---|
| Second attempt | No waiting period after the first |
| Third and later attempts | Wait at least 14 calendar days from your last attempt |
| Fees | You pay the exam price each time; no free re-tests or retake discounts |
| After a pass | You need CompTIA’s consent to retake the same exam code |
The agreement does not set a lifetime maximum in the sections we read. It does make every attempt cost the full price, which is why a first attempt “to see what it’s like” is an expensive way to study.
When the exam retires
CompTIA’s SecAI+ page says the exam is expected to retire an estimated three years after its February 17, 2026 launch. That is an estimate, not a date. CompTIA does not name a successor version on the page.
A retirement date matters for two groups:
- Candidates who have not passed yet. After retirement you can no longer sit CY0-001. You would study for the new version instead, and your notes may need updating.
- Holders. Your certification is tied to your cycle, not to the exam code. A retired exam does not end a valid credential. Renewing is a separate matter and follows the CE rules above.
A timeline example
This is an illustration, not a quote from CompTIA.
- Month 0: you pass CY0-001. Your three-year cycle starts.
- Months 1 to 30: you earn CEUs through training, work activities, or CertMaster CE. You log them as you go.
- Month 33: you check your total against the 15 CEUs. If you are short, you plan how to close the gap.
- Month 36: the cycle ends. The 30-day grace period begins.
- Month 37: the grace period is over. A lapsed credential now means passing the latest exam version.
Set a reminder at month 30. It costs nothing.
More guides for CY0-001
- CY0-001 Domains Explained
- CY0-001 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is CY0-001 Hard? SecAI+ Difficulty
- CY0-001 Prerequisites and Skills Check
- Is CY0-001 Worth It? An Honest Look
- CY0-001 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- SY0-801 vs CY0-001: Which Exam First?
Next step
Renewal only matters once you have passed, so start with the exam format and the study plan. Back to the CY0-001 overview any time. When you want timed practice, see our CY0-001 practice tests. CompTIA’s continuing education page is the authority on current renewal rules.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake CY0-001 to renew?
Not according to CompTIA’s renewal policy, which says renewal can be done without retaking the exam, for example by earning CEUs.
Can I retake CY0-001 immediately after failing?
Once. CompTIA requires no wait between the first and second attempt. Before a third attempt you wait at least 14 calendar days.
Is there a discount on a retake?
CompTIA’s candidate agreement says it offers no free re-tests or retake discounts.