I've been a technical trainer for 25+ years. I've taken more than 16 different cert exams from CompTIA and re-certified in many of them two, three, four, five, or even six times. I've even re-certified in two CompTIA certs that were "good for life" certifications. Mostly, this was due to requirements from end clients who wanted me to hold the most recent version of the cert exam that they wanted me to teach. It doesn't matter that I've passed Security+ in 2005, 2010, 2019, 2021, and 2023. They don't trust that my 25+ years of technical training experience, list of certs, and continuing education make me qualified to teach the latest version of the exam. Because they think that the exam is different now, since the version number changed.

Honestly, I never studied for recertification exams. By teaching the courses on a regular basis, I drilled the information into my long-term memory. Every time an exam versions, only 10%-15% of the exam objectives change, mostly because they gradually add new content. But the evolution of the exams is extremely slow. There are lots of topics on my first Security+ exam that are still on the most recent Security+ exam.

It's strange because the same clients don't seem to care that I've only taken the ISC2 CISSP, ISC2 CCSP, ISACA CISM, or any other exam only one time each. They only seem concerned that I've passed THE MOST RECENT version of the CompTIA exam, apparently because passing a previous version doesn't matter in their eyes.

CompTIA doesn't print the version number on the certifications. And they don't care if you renew the cert by taking the new version, or by racking up CEUs, or by passing a different industry cert. That's what I've been doing the last few years.

Out of all my current active CompTIA certs, the one that expires the soonest is in 2027, and the one that expires the furthest out is 2031.

I really have to thank CompTIA for all the free certs and the free and discounted Beta exams over the years. Honestly, if it weren't for them, I probably wouldn't have taken as many exams as I have over the years. The costs add up quickly. Students complain nonstop about voucher costs, when CompTIA is one of the most affordable options on the market. Go check the cost of ISC2, ISACA, OffSec, and GIAC exams if you don't believe me.

I have chosen NOT to take new versions of the exam for certs I already hold. I don't learn anything new by studying for a cert that I've already passed multiple times. I'm completely fine renewing my certs by getting different certs or by racking up CEUs from webinars, conference attendance, and other educational opportunities.

I've got vouchers for Linux+. DataAI, and I'm still waiting on a voucher for Data+ (which I let expire). I'm attending the SecAI TTT, and am looking forward to taking a crack at that exam to see if there's anything new for me on that exam. Mostly, I'm looking for new challenges, not just repeating old challenges.

For those who choose to pass version after version of the CompTIA exams, I wish you the best. If that works for you, I will not disparage it. It just doesn't work for me any more.

I was wondering if anyone has some information and resources to CEU's that have been submitted in the past to update their SecurityX (CASP+) certification. I know CompTIA provides a list of options like CISM, or CISSP, but I'm sure there are other options, like courses and educational videos to participate in as well. Just trying to create a list of options for those who have passed their CASP but don't want to take a higher level certification.

Anyone happen to have these instructor PowerPoint slides for teaching? Wiley takes a long time to respond.

Seeing so many people sharing their Security+ journeys here is motivating

Quick question for those who’ve already passed or are deep into studying:

If you had to start Security+ all over again, what would you do differently?

Would you:

• Focus more on practice exams?
• Spend more time on hands-on labs?
• Use fewer resources but go deeper?
• Or follow a completely different study strategy?

I’m especially interested in real-world advice (what actually helped you pass, not just what sounds good).

Also, for those who passed recently — how long did you study and what resources made the biggest difference?

Appreciate any insights

Hi CIN community (CINners?), and thanks in advance for the help!

As I'm setting up my profile and fulfilling the requirements for completion, I wanted to ask about the upcoming A+ TTT schedule and when the next round of exam vouchers will be available.

If this topic has already been covered, please feel free to point me to the right thread. Much appreciated!

Hi CIN Team

I currently get an email from my CompTIA account manager of all upcoming and coming soon CompTIA certifications. Shouldn't this be something that should be readily available to us CompTIA instructors in the CIN? I see posts (and I've made posts myself in the past) enquiring when a new certification is coming or when an update is coming. Maybe creating a place for displaying them all would help?

Hi CIN Team

Would TestOut Office Pro and Certiport content be competing against each other? Or is there a partnership somewhere? I'm just identifying whether TestOut Office Pro content would be something I can use for my Office courses.

Hello, everyone,

The CompTIA CertMaster Practice for A+ Core 2: 220-1202 answer explanations for the multiple-choice questions in objective 2.6 do not reflect the update from 7 malware removal steps in version 220-1102 to 10 malware removal steps in version 220-1202.

I recently opened a ticket with CompTIA Support to address this, but it was closed without any action taken. Students are quick to point out this discrepancy and are deterred from continuing to use CertMaster.

What would be the best way for the CompTIA product development team to quickly address this issue? The exam has been publicly available since March 2025, so I am surprised it has not been quickly fixed.

Thank you in advance.

Dear @Stephen Schneiter ,

Thank you so much for approving our instructor, we're learning so much through the valuable resources in CIN. Just wanted to ask you on the status of other 5 instructors of us which their account is currently pending for your approval, if you want I can share their names and other detail with you? I hope they get their accounts approved ASAP.

The leaderboard at Brain Wave Technology Services Co. decided to enroll all instructors even those with lower level certifications in to the lates SecAI TTT, at least they will get familiarized with Certmaster labs and .... if not with the technical knowledge of TTT itself.

Thank you so much for everything, so excited to be part of this amazing community.

For the next CIN The Pulse session, get ready for an intriguing discussion with Linda Brooks-Rix, co-CEO of AVUE and CompTIA’s James Stanger. Linda is a recognized authority regarding federal human capital management and has been a resource for the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Journal, the Huffington Post, and members of the United States Congress. Over the years, she has implemented technical and AI solutions for the U.S. federal government. She will share her experiences with AI implementation. Linda and James will investigate the rapidly-shifting value shifts that are taking place today in the face of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). In their conversation, they will draw lessons from Linda’s experiences, and use case studies to outline:

• Forces that have been in motion for decades, and what they mean to AI and AGI
• Perceptions about the ‘shunning / tioning’ of the workforce
• The ramifications of AGI, and the most advanced technology we can provide as humans
• Why organizations “backtrack” on their AI implementations, and how this can be avoided
• How not all jobs will disappear, but every job will change
• Durable skills we can hone in the age of AI/AGI
• How tomorrow’s techs can negotiate the inevitable

What: CIN The Pulse: Unskilled. The Human Shadow Behind the Artificial Workforce
When: March 19th, 2026, 11:00 AM CT / 5:00 PM GMT
Who: James Stanger, Chief Technology Evangelist, Linda Brooks-Rix, co-CEO of AVUE
Where: ON24

Register Here

I’ve officially decided to level up my technical foundation by diving into the CompTIA A+ certification! This isn't just about passing an exam; it's about mastering the "how" and "why" of the hardware and software that keep our world running. I'm documenting my progress here to stay accountable and share the highs and lows of troubleshooting my way to professional expertise.

I’d love to tap into the collective wisdom of this community. To those who have cleared the A+ or are currently working in IT support: What is the one piece of advice or study resource you wish you had when you started? Whether it’s a specific lab strategy or a tip for tackling the networking domain, I’m all ears!

Join CIN as we provide a Sneak Peek to the next release of CompTIA CySA+ V4 certification. We will welcome special guest @James Stanger and @Nick Pierce as they walk us through why industry is looking for this exam, what is changing in cybersecurity analytics, and take a deep dive into the exam objectives. We will topics covered by the exam and some teaching practices to help deliver the content to students.

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is the premier certification for cyber professionals tasked with incident detection, prevention, and response through continuous security monitoring. It validates a tech professional's expertise in incident response and vulnerability management processes, emphasizing the critical communication skills necessary for effective security analysis and compliance.

Build skills with CompTIA training and validate them with CySA+ certification.

• Enhance security operations processes, differentiate threat intelligence and threat hunting, and identify malicious activity using appropriate tools.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments, prioritize vulnerabilities, and recommend effective mitigation strategies for vulnerability management.
• Apply attack methodology frameworks, perform incident response, and understand the incident management lifecycle to handle security incidents effectively.
• Utilize communication best practices to report on vulnerability management and incident response, providing stakeholders with actionable plans and meaningful metrics.

What: CIN Sneak Peek: CySA+ V4
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 12:00- 2:00 PM CST
Who: Dr. James Stanger, CompTIA and Nick Pierce, Northern Virginia Community College
Where: ON24
Register Here

We’re excited to invite our global training partners to an exclusive briefing on key updates impacting the certification and learning ecosystem. This session will provide early insights into new products and updates from your customer success team.

During this webinar, we'll cover:

• Celebrate the launch of CompTIA SecAI+: Get an overview of the new certification and how to request more detailed information and resources.
• See a live demo: View the experience of using CertMaster Perform for SecAI+.
• Updates from your Customer Support and Customer Success team: Don't miss out on the latest updates.

Your participation will also allow you to ask questions. If you cannot attend live, register to view the on-demand recording.

What: Global Delivery Partner Webinar Meet-Up
When: February 17th, 2026, 10:00 AM CT / 4:00 PM GMT
Who: CompTIA Delivery Partner Team and CompTIA Products Team
Where: ON24
Register Here

Hello everyone,


I am an experienced technical trainer and digital transformation specialist currently holding MCT, FCT, and CertNexus Authorized Instructor credentials. I deliver training in cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI for both youth and professional audiences.


I am interested in becoming a CompTIA instructor and would appreciate guidance from the community on the current qualification requirements and recommended pathway.


Are there specific certifications, partnership models, or authorization steps required to teach CompTIA courses officially?


Thank you in advance for your support and insights.

Good morning,

I haven’t received the Data+ V2 voucher yet and was just checking to see if they’ve been sent out.

Thank you!
Tracey

I finally buckled down and took the Linux+ and passed it today. It took some extra study but after I let the 005 get away from me I swore to myself I wouldn't let it happen again. HUGE thanks to @Stephen Schneiter, Jason Eckert's great TTT and the amazing CIN network for the voucher. Watching the expiration timer tick down on it gave me the kick in the pants I needed to finish!

Hello

I may be required to teach the Tech+ . I am looking for the option to get instructor material such as the instructor PDF and PowerPoint slides.

Which of these do I pick?



Regards
Chintan Patel

What is the progress of Security 8+

Hi everyone,

I’m a member of the CompTIA Instructor Network (CIN) and I’m planning my CE renewals. Before I purchase any continuing education resources, I wanted to ask:

Do CIN members receive discounts on CE renewal materials or tools?
For example, the Security+ CertMaster CE is currently listed at around $200 — is there an instructor discount available through CIN for this or similar products?

If there are specific procedures or promo codes that CIN members should use to access these discounts, I’d really appreciate details.

Thanks in advance!
Nick

For those heading to the TCEA Convention & Exposition in San Antonio next week, be sure to drop by our StackFord booth #1963.

If you are an IT teacher, we are also right around the corner from CompTIA. Jared will be at the booth, great guy. I worked with him while I was in the classroom, and he was amazing to my students and me.

Hey fellow Linux+ candidates

I wanted to share a free resource that’s been super helpful in my prep for the XK0-006 exam: Skunkworks Academy Linux+ Mock Exam Tool

It’s a browser-based readiness tracker that lets you:

• Run randomized assessments (20–25 questions recommended)
• Track your best and latest scores locally
• Identify domain gaps across all exam objectives
• Export/import your progress between machines

Tip: For a realistic exam feel, set it to “Timed = Yes” and “Show answers = No.”

It’s not a replacement for hands-on labs, but it’s great for quick self-checks and building confidence. If you’ve tried it, I’d love to hear your thoughts or suggestions for improvement!

Happy studying and good luck to everyone aiming for Linux+

Hello Guys,
Has Anyone of you received Linux+ V8 Exam vouchers? I haven't received it yet.
is there anything have to do?

I have seen a demo of a computer hardware simulation in the TTT series. It was some type of game that have simulation used to connect peripheral devices, cables etc . If you know about this game name, please provide a link.
@LynW @Stephen Schneiter

Thank you in advance

Anyone know (or where can I keep updated) about the new version of CYSA+? I see the Exam Objectives are in "Draft" mode...just wondering if we have a ballpark release date yet for the TTT, course and beta exam?

Hi, please can anyone check if the Core1 labs is working? I tried in different devices is not loading since 09:00 AM UK time zone.