The short answer
Yes, Network+ expires. CompTIA says it is valid for three years from the date you earn it, and you can renew it through its continuing education (CE) program instead of sitting the exam again. If you fail the exam, you can retry right away once, then you wait at least 14 calendar days between later attempts.
This page goes deeper than the retake paragraph on the exam format page. All facts are from CompTIA’s pages as read on October 22, 2026. Fees change, so we do not print any; check CompTIA’s site before you pay.
How long the credential lasts
CompTIA’s renewal policy states that A+, Network+, Security+ and several others are valid for three years from the certification date. The clock starts when you pass, not when you book or when the exam version launched.
The three-year cycle is also why the exam itself gets a refresh. CompTIA says Network+ content is updated about every three years, and it shows an estimated 2027 retirement for N10-009, which launched on June 20, 2024. That is an estimate on the vendor page, not an announced date.
Ways to renew
CompTIA’s CE pages list several routes. You need only one of them:
- CertMaster CE. An online course for Network+ that CompTIA presents as the quick route, with no exam to pass.
- Pass a newer exam. Passing the latest release of the Network+ exam renews you. CompTIA’s policy says you cannot renew by passing the exact same exam twice.
- Earn a higher certification. CompTIA says renewing or earning a higher-level certification also renews the lower ones. Network+ sits below Security+ in that ladder, so a current Security+ should cover it, and so should Cloud+.
- Earn CEUs. Network+ needs 30 continuing education units (CEUs) in your three-year cycle, according to CompTIA’s CE table. Activities can include training, other IT certifications, industry participation, publishing and related work experience. At least half of the content of an activity must map to the Network+ objectives, and CompTIA makes the final call on whether an activity counts.
Heads-up on numbers: an older CompTIA blog post from December 2024 mentions 50 CEUs for Network+. The current CE table lists 30. When sources disagree, trust the page that is newest and part of the CE program itself, and confirm in your own CompTIA account.
Deadlines and the grace period
All CE activities must fall inside your three-year cycle. CompTIA’s policy adds a 30-day grace period to pay outstanding CE fees or to submit qualifying CEUs. The wording says that period is for paying and submitting, not for doing new activities, so do not plan to earn credits during it.
What happens if it lapses
If you miss the window, the credential cannot be renewed. CompTIA’s policy says you must pass the latest exam version to get it back, and its blog says the same in plain words: the way back is to pass the certification exam again. You keep what you learned, but the credential itself needs a fresh pass.
Retake rules in detail
These come from CompTIA’s retake policy page:
| Attempt | Waiting rule |
|---|---|
| Second attempt | No waiting period |
| Third attempt and later | At least 14 calendar days after your last attempt |
| Every attempt | The full exam fee is due, with no free retests or discounts |
Two more points from the policy:
- Once you pass an exam, you cannot take the same exam code again without CompTIA’s prior consent. You wait for a new series, such as V10 after V9.
- A test taken in violation of the policy can be invalidated, and repeated violations can lead to a ban.
CompTIA’s pages we read do not state a maximum number of attempts, so we do not claim one.
When a version retires
CompTIA replaced N10-008 with N10-009, and says the English version of N10-008 retired in December 2024. A draft of the V10 objectives is listed on CompTIA’s site with no dates. For you this means two things.
- If you are still studying, book before the version you studied for retires, or switch to the new objectives. Retirement dates for Network+ are still estimates, so watch the vendor page.
- If you already hold the credential, the three-year renewal clock is what matters for you. Whether a retired version changes anything for an earned credential is not spelled out on the pages we read, so check your CompTIA account.
A simple timeline example
This is an illustration, not a quote from CompTIA.
- Month 0: you pass N10-009. Your three-year cycle starts.
- Months 1 to 30: you log CEUs from training, or you pass Security+ along the way.
- Month 33: you check your account. If you are short, CertMaster CE is the fast fix.
- Month 36: the cycle ends. The 30-day grace period covers paying fees and submitting documents.
- After that: a lapsed credential needs a new exam pass.
FAQ
Can I renew Network+ by retaking N10-009?
CompTIA’s policy says you cannot renew by passing the exact same exam twice. Passing the latest release, or another route above, works.
Does Security+ renew Network+?
CompTIA’s CE FAQ says a higher-level certification renews the lower ones, and Network+ sits below Security+.
Is there a limit on retakes?
The pages we read name waiting rules but no attempt limit.
More guides for N10-009
- Network+ N10-009 Study Plan: 4 and 8 Weeks
- Network+ N10-009 Domains Explained
- Network+ N10-009 Sample Questions
- Is Network+ N10-009 Hard? An Honest Look
- Network+ N10-009 Prerequisites
- N10-009 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- N10-009 vs SY0-801: Which First?
- CCNA vs Network+: Which Exam First?
Next step
See the exam format page for the full structure, then decide whether the credential is worth it for you. When you want to prepare calmly and avoid paying for a second attempt, the N10-009 practice tests offer original practice questions across all five domains. The exam overview is at /exams/n10-009/.