Security+ Retake Rules Explained – Waiting Period, Cost & Attempts (SY0-701)
What are the Security+ retake rules and waiting period?
Direct Answer: You must wait 14 calendar days after failing before retaking Security+ SY0-701. There is no limit on attempts, but each retake costs the full exam fee (~$404 USD). CompTIA does not offer discounted retakes.
Security+ Retake Rules Explained – Waiting Period, Cost & Attempts (SY0-701)
If you just failed the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) exam, you need clear answers about what happens next. How long must you wait before retaking? Do you have to pay the full fee again? Is there a limit on attempts?
CompTIA’s retake policies are straightforward and well-documented. You can retake the Security+ exam after a mandatory waiting period, you will need to pay the exam fee again, and there is no limit on how many times you can attempt the exam.
This article explains the official retake rules, what they mean in practice, and how to use the waiting period effectively.
Can You Retake Security+ After Failing?
Yes. CompTIA allows candidates to retake the Security+ exam after failing.
There is no penalty beyond the immediate failed result. Your exam record shows an unsuccessful attempt, but this does not affect your eligibility for future exams, other CompTIA certifications, or your professional standing.
Failed attempts are not visible to employers, hiring managers, or anyone reviewing your CompTIA credentials. Only passed certifications appear on your official CompTIA profile. Each retake attempt is treated independently—there is no additional scrutiny, different question pool, or modified passing threshold for second or subsequent attempts.
Failing Security+ is common, particularly on first attempts. If you want to understand the common reasons candidates fail, that context can help you prepare more effectively. CompTIA has designed its policies to allow candidates to continue pursuing certification without lasting consequences from previous failures.
Security+ Waiting Period After Failing
CompTIA enforces mandatory waiting periods between exam attempts. You cannot retake Security+ immediately after failing.
Waiting period after first failure: 14 calendar days
If you fail Security+ for the first time, you must wait at least 14 days before your next attempt. The waiting period begins on the day you took and failed the exam. You can schedule your retake during this period, but the exam appointment must be at least 14 days after your failed attempt.
Waiting period after second and subsequent failures: 14 calendar days
The 14-day waiting period applies to all subsequent failures as well. Whether it is your second, third, or fifth attempt, you must wait 14 days between each exam sitting.
Important clarification for SY0-701:
These waiting period rules apply specifically to the current Security+ exam version (SY0-701). The same policies applied to previous versions (SY0-601, SY0-501) and are expected to remain consistent for future versions unless CompTIA announces a policy change.
Why does CompTIA enforce a waiting period?
The mandatory waiting period serves multiple purposes. It prevents candidates from immediately retaking the exam while specific questions are still fresh in memory, which would undermine the validity of the certification. It also encourages candidates to use the time for meaningful preparation rather than relying on short-term recall.
Can you request an exception to the waiting period?
No. CompTIA does not grant exceptions or waivers to the waiting period policy. The 14-day minimum applies to all candidates regardless of circumstances.
How Many Times Can You Retake Security+?
There is no hard limit on how many times you can retake the Security+ exam.
CompTIA allows unlimited retake attempts for Security+ and all other CompTIA certifications. The only constraints are:
You must observe the 14-day waiting period between each attempt. You must pay the exam fee for each attempt (unless you have a voucher or promotional credit). Each attempt is scored independently based on your performance that day.
Will CompTIA flag multiple failures?
No. CompTIA does not penalize candidates for multiple attempts. Many certified professionals failed Security+ once or twice before eventually passing. Your certification status only changes when you pass, and the number of attempts is never visible to employers or on your official credentials.
Should you be concerned about taking “too many attempts”?
No. The practical constraints are the waiting period and the cumulative cost of exam fees. If you are making meaningful changes to your preparation between attempts, there is no reason to feel discouraged by previous failures. What matters is passing, not how many attempts it takes.
Security+ Retake Cost: Do You Have to Pay Again?
Yes. Each Security+ exam attempt requires a separate exam fee.
Standard retake pricing:
The retake costs the same as the original exam. As of 2025, the Security+ (SY0-701) exam fee is approximately $392 USD, though prices may vary slightly by region and testing provider. CompTIA does not offer automatic discounts for retakes. Payment is required when you schedule the exam, regardless of whether it is your first or tenth attempt.
How exam vouchers work for retakes:
Some employers, training providers, academic institutions, or CompTIA partner programs offer exam vouchers that cover the full cost. If you have a voucher, it can typically be applied to any attempt, including retakes, as long as the voucher is still valid. Voucher expiration dates are separate from retake policies—a valid voucher can be used for a retake, but an expired voucher cannot be used regardless of your exam history.
CertMaster bundles and retake vouchers:
CompTIA’s CertMaster Learn + Labs bundles sometimes include a free retake voucher as part of the package. If you purchased such a bundle and have not used the retake voucher, check your account to confirm eligibility. These vouchers typically have expiration dates and specific terms.
Important: Failing the exam does not automatically qualify you for a free or discounted retake. Unless you have a specific voucher or are participating in a promotional program, you will pay the standard fee for each attempt.
Common Misconceptions About Security+ Retakes
Several persistent myths create unnecessary confusion and anxiety for candidates preparing to retake Security+. Here are the facts.
Myth: The retake exam is harder than the first attempt.
False. CompTIA uses the same question pools and scoring methodology for all attempts. The exam you receive on your second attempt is not designed to be more difficult than your first. Question selection is randomized within the established exam blueprint, and the passing score remains constant regardless of attempt number.
Myth: Employers can see how many times you failed.
False. Your CompTIA certification record shows only passed certifications. Failed attempts are not visible to employers, clients, or anyone reviewing your credentials. When you eventually pass, your certification appears exactly the same as someone who passed on their first attempt.
Myth: There is a permanent record of failures that affects future certifications.
False. Failed Security+ attempts do not affect your eligibility for other CompTIA certifications, renewal policies, or standing within the CompTIA ecosystem. Each exam and certification is evaluated independently.
Myth: You can only retake a certain number of times per year.
False. While you must observe the 14-day waiting period between attempts, there is no annual limit on the number of retakes. You can theoretically take the exam every 14 days indefinitely, though this would rarely be a sensible preparation strategy.
Myth: Failing close to the passing score makes the next attempt easier.
False. Each exam is scored independently. A near-miss on your first attempt provides useful diagnostic information about your preparation, but it does not change the difficulty or scoring of subsequent attempts.
When Should You Actually Book Your Retake?
The mandatory waiting period is 14 days, but being allowed to retake does not mean you should retake on day 15.
Why immediate retakes often fail again:
If your preparation method did not produce a passing score the first time, repeating the same approach for 14 days is unlikely to produce a different result. Short-term cramming after a failure often leads to the same mistakes under exam pressure. Candidates who rush their retake frequently fail by similar margins or worse.
Realistic retake timeline for most candidates:
Most candidates who pass on their second attempt take between three and six weeks to prepare. This allows adequate time to analyze what went wrong on the first attempt, shift from content review to scenario-based practice, build confidence with exam-style questions, and address specific knowledge gaps identified from the first attempt. For structured guidance, see our 7/14/30-day recovery study plans.
The distinction between “allowed to retake” and “ready to retake”:
These are not the same thing. You are allowed to retake after 14 days. You are ready to retake when you have meaningfully changed your preparation approach and can demonstrate improved performance on practice materials.
How to determine when you are ready:
Before scheduling your retake, you should be able to articulate specifically what went wrong on your first attempt. You should have practiced extensively with exam-style scenario questions. You should be scoring consistently above the passing threshold on realistic practice exams. If you cannot confirm these criteria, you may not be ready despite being eligible.
Special Cases and Edge Situations
Several less common scenarios generate questions about how retake policies apply.
Missed exam vs. failed exam:
If you scheduled a Security+ exam but did not attend (no-show), this is not treated the same as a failed attempt. No-shows typically result in forfeiture of the exam fee without creating a formal “failed attempt” on your record. The 14-day waiting period applies specifically to failed attempts, not missed appointments. However, you will still need to pay for a new exam registration.
Exam crashes or technical issues:
If your exam is interrupted due to technical problems at the testing center (system crash, power outage, etc.), you should work with the testing center and Pearson VUE to reschedule. Interrupted exams due to technical issues are typically not counted as failed attempts, and the 14-day waiting period does not apply. Document any issues immediately and contact both the testing center and Pearson VUE customer support.
Online proctored vs. test center exams:
CompTIA’s retake policies apply equally to both online proctored exams (OnVUE) and in-person test center exams. The waiting period, attempt limits, and cost structure are identical regardless of delivery method.
Voucher expiration vs. retake timing:
Voucher expiration dates operate independently from retake waiting periods. If your voucher expires during the 14-day waiting period, you cannot use it for your retake even though you are entitled to retake the exam. Conversely, a valid voucher can be used for any eligible attempt as long as it has not expired. Check your voucher terms carefully if you are planning to use one for a retake.
Exam version transitions:
If CompTIA retires the current exam version (SY0-701) and replaces it with a new version while you are in the middle of retake attempts, you may need to take the new version instead. Retake attempts on a retired exam version are generally not permitted after the official retirement date. Monitor CompTIA announcements about exam version transitions if you are planning retakes over an extended period.
Using Your Waiting Period Effectively
Candidates who succeed on their second attempt typically use the waiting period to practice exam-style decision scenarios rather than simply reviewing content they have already studied.
Effective retake preparation emphasizes scenario-based questions that mirror SY0-701 format, clear explanations of why each answer option is right or wrong, and focus on the decision-making skills that distinguish passing from failing candidates.
The most productive use of your waiting period is practicing scenarios that force you to think the way the exam expects—prioritizing risks, evaluating trade-offs, and selecting the best answer under realistic constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to wait before retaking Security+?
You must wait 14 calendar days after your failed attempt before you can retake the Security+ exam. This waiting period applies to first failures and all subsequent failures. You can schedule your retake during the waiting period, but the appointment must be at least 14 days after your previous attempt.
Do I have to pay again if I fail Security+?
Yes. Each exam attempt requires a separate payment at the standard exam fee (approximately $392 USD). Failing does not grant a free or discounted retake unless you have a voucher or are part of a promotional program.
Is there a free Security+ retake?
Not by default. CompTIA occasionally offers promotions, and some CertMaster bundles include retake vouchers. Check the CompTIA website or your training provider for current offers. Failing alone does not qualify you for a free retake.
How many times can I retake Security+?
There is no limit. You can retake the exam as many times as needed, observing the 14-day waiting period between attempts and paying the standard fee for each try.
Can employers see that I failed Security+?
No. Only passed certifications appear on your official CompTIA profile and certification verification. Failed attempts are not visible to employers, clients, or anyone reviewing your credentials.
Is the retake exam harder than the first attempt?
No. CompTIA uses the same question pools and scoring methodology for all attempts. The exam difficulty and passing threshold remain constant regardless of attempt number.
What happens if I miss my scheduled Security+ exam?
A no-show typically results in forfeiture of the exam fee but is not recorded as a failed attempt. The 14-day waiting period applies specifically to failed attempts, not missed appointments.
Moving Forward
CompTIA’s Security+ retake rules are clear and consistent. You can retake the exam after 14 days, you will pay the standard exam fee, and there is no limit on attempts. Failed attempts are not visible to employers and do not affect your future certification eligibility.
The waiting period is not a punishment—it is an opportunity. Use this time to analyze what went wrong on your first attempt and make meaningful changes to your preparation approach.
Failing once is common among eventually successful Security+ certified professionals. What separates those who pass on their second attempt from those who fail again is not additional content consumption—it is focused practice on the decision-making skills the exam actually tests.
For guidance on what to do immediately after failing, see our article on what to do after failing Security+.