Cybersecurity Credential Verification
How to Verify a CompTIA Security+ Certification
CompTIA Security+ is the most widely held entry-to-mid-level cybersecurity certification and a mandatory baseline credential for many DoD and government contractor positions. Verification takes under two minutes using CompTIA's free portal — but there are nuances around version history and CE renewal that matter for compliance.
Quick answer
Verify CompTIA Security+ at verify.comptia.org. Enter the candidate's name and certificate number (from the certificate) or name and date of birth. The portal confirms active CE status and expiration date. You can also ask for the candidate's Credly badge URL — CompTIA issues shareable digital badges for all current certifications.
What CompTIA Security+ is
Security+ is CompTIA's core cybersecurity certification, covering threat detection, network security, cryptography, identity and access management, risk management, incident response, and security operations. It is vendor-neutral and designed for professionals with approximately 2 years of IT experience with a security focus.
Security+ is the most common cybersecurity certification in the U.S. workforce and serves as the baseline requirement for a large segment of government and defense contractor roles. Key use cases:
- › DoD 8140/8570: Approved baseline for IAT Level II (Information Assurance Technical) and IAM Level I roles in DoD environments
- › Federal civilian agencies: FISMA-covered agencies frequently require Security+ for IT security positions
- › Commercial roles: Entry-level security analyst, SOC analyst, security support technician roles in enterprise environments
How to verify at verify.comptia.org
Step 1: Go to verify.comptia.org
Navigate to verify.comptia.org. This is CompTIA's official verification portal for all CompTIA certifications including Security+, A+, Network+, CySA+, CASP+, and PenTest+.
Step 2: Search by certificate number or date of birth
The most reliable method is name + certificate number. The certificate number is printed on the physical or digital certificate and is also visible in the candidate's CompTIA CertMetrics account. Alternatively, search by name and date of birth.
CompTIA Credly badges provide a third verification path: the badge URL (credly.com/badges/...) resolves to a live verification page showing the earner name, issue date, and expiration — no certificate number needed.
Step 3: Confirm active CE status and expiration date
The portal shows the certification name, status (Active/Expired), and expiration date. For DoD and federal compliance, the certification must be Active — an expired Security+ does not satisfy DoD 8140 requirements, even if the candidate held the certification previously.
Security+ CE renewal requirements
Security+ is a CompTIA CE (Continuing Education) certification with a 3-year validity period.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Validity period | 3 years from exam date |
| CEU requirement | 50 CEUs over 3 years (reported via CompTIA CertMetrics) |
| Annual fee | $50 renewal fee per year (or pass a higher-level exam) |
| Alternative renewal | Pass Security+ again, or pass a higher CompTIA cert (CySA+, CASP+) |
DoD compliance: expiration is not waivable
For DoD 8140-covered positions, an expired Security+ cannot be used to satisfy the baseline certification requirement. Personnel in covered roles must maintain an active Security+ or hold a higher-level qualifying credential. Verify at the time of hire and set calendar reminders to re-verify before the expiration date.
Security+ version history: what exam version matters
CompTIA periodically releases updated exam versions. Current version as of 2024 is SY0-701 (released November 2023). Prior versions:
| Exam code | Released | Retired |
|---|---|---|
| SY0-701 | November 2023 | Current |
| SY0-601 | November 2020 | July 2024 |
| SY0-501 | October 2017 | July 2021 |
Passing an older exam version does not invalidate the certification, provided the CE renewal requirements have been met. The verify.comptia.org portal reflects actual current status, not just the exam version — trust the portal over the version listed on a physical certificate.
Security+ in the cybersecurity credential landscape
| Credential | Level | DoD 8140 | Verify at |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Security+ | Entry–mid | IAT Level II | verify.comptia.org |
| CompTIA CySA+ | Mid | CSSP Analyst | verify.comptia.org |
| CompTIA CASP+ | Advanced | IAT/IAM Level III | verify.comptia.org |
| CISSP | Senior | IASAE/ISSM Level II–III | isc2.org/verify |
| CISM | Management | ISSM Level II–III | isaca.org/credentialing/verify-a-certification |
| CEH | Mid | CSSP Analyst | aspen.eccouncil.org |
Verify the degree behind the certification
Many Security+ holders cite IT or computer science degrees. Use VerifyED to confirm that a candidate's degree comes from a legitimately accredited institution — especially critical for cleared roles where educational credentials are reviewed during the SF-86 background investigation process.
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