The comptia a+ retirement date for any given exam version is set by CompTIA and published on its official certification page months in advance. Here's the surprising part: the A+ certification itself is not being retired at all — only the numbered exam versions (like 220-1101 and 220-1102) get replaced every few years through a structured refresh cycle.
That distinction trips up thousands of candidates who panic after reading outdated forum posts. The real challenge is knowing which date affects you: the exam version expiry, your three-year certification renewal window, or a retired credential you still list on LinkedIn.
This guide breaks down how the retirement schedule works, what to do before and after a version retires, and how to keep your credential current without wasting money on exams you don't need.
How CompTIA's A+ Exam Retirement Cycle Actually Works
CompTIA typically refreshes the A+ exams roughly every three years, and the retirement date follows a fixed pattern.
When a new version launches (for example, the 220-1201 and 220-1202 series that replaced the 1100 series in 2025), the outgoing exams stay available for a limited overlap period — historically about six to nine months — before the comptia a+ retirement date takes effect.
The mechanics are straightforward:
- New exam versions launch and become the only option for new candidates after the overlap window
- The retiring version receives a published last testing day on the official CompTIA site
- Once retired, that version cannot be scheduled or taken at any Pearson VUE center
- Your passing score on a retired version still counts toward certification if you completed the full exam requirement before the cutoff
The key data point: CompTIA's official A+ page historically lists exam retirement dates alongside each version code, and Pearson VUE's scheduling system stops offering retired exams immediately.
A common scenario is a candidate who passed core 1 on the old version but didn't finish core 2 before the comptia a+ retirement date — that partial credit expires, and both exams must be retaken on the current series.
How to apply this: Bookmark the official CompTIA A+ certification page and check the exam version section before you buy any voucher.
The Three Dates That Confuse Everyone
Candidates routinely mix up three distinct dates. The exam version retirement date kills the specific test. The certification expiration date (three years from your pass date) requires renewal through Continuing Education. And a "retired" status only applies to the credential itself if you let renewal lapse — CompTIA marks it as expired, not retired, and you must re-certify from scratch.
Confirm which date applies to your situation before making any scheduling decisions.
What Happens If Your Exam Version Retires Mid-Study
If the comptia a+ retirement date lands while you're still preparing, you have two realistic paths, and choosing correctly saves both time and money.
The first is to accelerate and test before the cutoff — feasible if you're already scoring consistently above 75% on practice exams (CompTIA's passing score is 675 on a 100–900 scale for core 1 and 700 for core 2).
The second is to pivot to the new version, which is usually the safer bet. Content overlap between consecutive A+ versions is high — CompTIA reports that the refresh process involves subject matter expert surveys to identify what changed in the field, so the bulk of objectives carry forward.
You'll mainly need to study the added topics, often around cloud virtualization, security operations, and newer operating system features.
One practical trap: third-party study materials lag behind official launches. A common scenario is buying a discounted course bundle for the outgoing version right as it retires — the provider may not update it. Check the publication date on any prep book or video course before purchase.
How to apply this: Download the official exam objectives PDF for both the old and new versions and diff them side by side — the delta is your only new study list.
Can You Mix Exam Versions?
No. CompTIA requires both core exams from the same series. Passing core 1 on 220-1101 and core 2 on 220-1202 is not permitted, which is exactly why the comptia a+ retirement date matters for anyone mid-journey.
Plan to finish both cores within a single version window.
How to Verify the Official Retirement Date (Don't Trust Forums)
The only authoritative source is CompTIA itself, and the data is freely published. Reddit threads and YouTube comments frequently recycle dates from previous cycles, which is how misinformation spreads.
Use these verification steps:
- Visit the official A+ page and locate the "Exam details" or version section — retirement dates appear there
- Cross-check with Pearson VUE's CompTIA scheduling portal, which stops listing a version once its last testing day passes
- Set a calendar reminder 90 days before any listed cutoff so you can adjust your study plan
CompTIA's certification FAQ explains the policy directly: exam versions are retired on a scheduled basis, and once a version is retired, it cannot be taken again — candidates must test on the current version. That statement is the ground truth; treat any other date as unverified.
How to apply this: Screenshot the current exam details page today and save it, so you have a dated record if dates shift.
| Item to Check | What It Tells You | Action to Take |
|---|---|---|
| Exam version code | Which series you're studying | Match your study materials to it |
| Published last testing day | The actual retirement cutoff | Book your exam 30+ days early |
| Certification expiry (3 years) | When renewal is due | Log Continuing Education activities |
| Objectives PDF date | Whether content is current | Download the latest version |
| Pearson VUE listing | Real-time availability | Confirm before paying |
The only authoritative source for the comptia a+ retirement date is CompTIA itself, which publishes the data freely.
Reddit threads and YouTube comments often recycle old dates, which is exactly how misinformation about the comptia a+ retirement date spreads.
What Retirement Means for Your Existing Certification
Here's the reassuring fact: once you earn A+, the comptia a+ retirement date of the exam version you took has zero effect on your credential. Your certification remains valid for three years from the date you passed, regardless of which exam series you used.
After three years, you renew through CompTIA's Continuing Education program, which requires 20 CEUs earned via activities like training courses, industry certifications, or teaching. The alternative is retaking the current exams, which resets the clock but costs more.
- Your cert status lives in your CompTIA account — check it annually
- CEUs can be logged anytime during the three-year window, not just at the end
- Letting it lapse means the credential shows as expired, and employers verifying through CompTIA's lookup will see that status immediately
How to apply this: Log into your CompTIA account now and note your exact expiration date — then schedule one CEU activity per year so you never scramble at the deadline.
Common Mistakes That Cost Candidates Time and Money
The most expensive error is buying exam vouchers for a version that's about to retire without checking the comptia a+ retirement date first. Vouchers are typically valid for 12 months, but they only work for exams that still exist — a voucher bought for a retired version becomes unusable for that exam.
Other frequent missteps:
- Assuming A+ itself is being discontinued (it isn't — only versions rotate)
- Delaying core 2 until after the cutoff, wiping out core 1 credit
- Using study guides published before the current objectives version
- Forgetting that employer tuition reimbursement often requires passing within a set window
A common scenario involves employers who pre-purchase vouchers in bulk for staff — if the version rotates before employees test, those vouchers need careful management. Confirm the version and expiry terms at purchase time.
How to apply this: Before buying any voucher, verify the target exam version is currently scheduled on Pearson VUE and confirm the voucher's validity terms in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions About comptia a+ retirement date
Is the A+ certification itself being retired?
No. CompTIA has not announced retirement of the A+ credential — only individual exam versions rotate out on a roughly three-year cycle. The comptia a+ retirement date applies to a specific numbered exam, such as 220-1101, not to the certification. If you see claims that A+ is disappearing, check the official CompTIA site directly before reacting.
What if I fail core 2 right before the retirement cutoff?
You lose the core 1 credit and must retake both exams on the current version. CompTIA does not extend testing windows for individual candidates. If your comptia a+ retirement date is close and you're not confident, reschedule earlier rather than gambling on a late attempt — most candidates need two to three months of dedicated prep per core.
Do employers care which exam version I passed?
No. Employers verify that you hold active A+ certification, not which version series you completed. The comptia a+ retirement date of your exam version never appears in verification results. What matters is that your certification remains active — an expired credential shows up clearly in CompTIA's verification tool, and that is what hiring managers actually see.
How do I find retirement dates for older exam versions?
CompTIA archives exam details on its site, and Pearson VUE retires scheduling pages once a version expires. For the comptia a+ retirement date of legacy series like 220-1001, check archived CompTIA pages or the certification FAQ. Third-party exam-prep blogs often list historical dates, but verify against official sources before relying on them for planning.
Can I renew my certification instead of retaking a retired exam?
Yes — Continuing Education is the standard path and doesn't require any exam. You need 20 CEUs over three years, earned through approved training, higher-level certifications, or industry activities. The comptia a+ retirement date is irrelevant to renewal; your obligation is tied to your certification's expiration date, not the exam version you originally passed.
Final Takeaways and Your Next Step
The retirement schedule is predictable once you know where to look, and it protects the value of your credential rather than threatening it.
- Exam versions retire on a roughly three-year cycle; the A+ certification itself is not going away
- Both core exams must come from the same version series — never mix them
- Your certification stays valid for three years regardless of which version you passed
- Renew with 20 CEUs through Continuing Education, no retake required
Your next step: open the official CompTIA A+ page today, note the current exam version and its last testing day, and put a reminder in your calendar 90 days before the comptia a+ retirement date. That single habit keeps your study plan and your credential on track.
