Earning Network+ CEUs [2022 update]

In today’s digital world, where cybersecurity is a major concern, companies seek IT practitioners able to minimize risks and harden and safeguard their networks. Professionals who earn the CompTIA Network+ certification can prove to their employers that they can troubleshoot, configure and manage networks using the latest best practices, tools and techniques.

Earning the credential can help professionals in standing out from pools of candidates as well as in advancing their careers; however, becoming certified is only the first step as they are asked to continue to keep abreast with the latest changes in technology and most current trends in securing networks from everchanging threats.

To keep their certification current and ensure longevity in their career, IT practitioners are required to participate in continuing education and ongoing learning activities, which are great ways to stay up-to-date on industry knowledge and trends.

So, what are CEUs (continuing education units), and why do you need them? In this article, you’ll learn about Network+ renewal requirements, CEU validity, renewal activities, the CEU submission process, and how to pay your CE fees.

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What are the Network+ renewal requirements?

The Network+ certification is valid for three years from when candidates pass the exam. To renew, they need to earn 30 CEUs during the certification lifecycle to keep their certification current, without the need to retest.

The CompTIA CE program allows aspirants to renew their certification by participating in training and activities related to the content of Network+ certification. However, these activities must fulfill the following requirements:

• Timing: it is vital to complete activities within a three-year certification renewal cycle
• Relevance: the content of your activities must be at least 50% related to one or more of your Network+ exam objectives
• Documentation: providing documentation of the following activities is essential to obtain CEUs:
• Attaining related work experience
• Publishing a book, whitepaper, article or a blog post
• Participating in IT industry activities
• Completing higher education and training
• Earning non-CompTIA IT market certifications

How can I check if my CEUs are valid?

You can check the validity of your CEUs through CompTIA’s “CEU Assessment Tool.” This tool helps you determine if your Continuing Education (CE) activities meet the CE program requirements.

What are CompTIA’s approved renewal activities?

The following sections describe which CE activities you can complete renewing your certification.

CompTIA’s CertMaster CE Network+ details

CompTIA’s CertMaster CE for Network+ is a self-paced e-learning course. When candidates pass this course successfully, their certification will be renewed automatically. The estimated time for this course is four to six hours, depending on the learner’s knowledge.

Earning a high-level CompTIA certification

If you’ve earned multiple CompTIA certifications, the CE program lets you keep all of your ISO/ANSI approved certifications current by renewing only your highest-level certification. When a candidate earns a higher-level certification, their lower-level one will automatically be renewed. Here is a list of CompTIA certifications from higher-level to lower-level:

• CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
• CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA CySA+
• CompTIA Cloud+
• CompTIA Security+
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA A+

Earning non-CompTIA industry certifications

As said above, CompTIA Network+ certification requires 30 CEUs for renewal. Earning a recognized non-CompTIA industry certification meets the Network+ renewal requirements.

Completing a training course

Candidates can obtain one CEU credit for each hour of training. They can earn a maximum of 30 CEUs, and these are sufficient to meet Network+ renewal requirements.

Attending a conference

Candidates can earn one CEU credit for each hour they attend a conference. They can earn a maximum of 6 CEUs. The conferences must be attended during the three-year renewal cycle. At least 50% of conference session content must be related to Network+ exam objectives.

Attending a live webinar

Professionals can earn one CEU for each hour they attend a webinar. They can earn a maximum of 6 CEUs. The webinar can be attended during the three-year renewal cycle. At least 50% of webinar content must be related to Network+ exam objectives.

Completing an American Council on Education (ACE) course

A student can earn 10 CEUs for each three to four credit-hour class and up to 30 CEUs. The course must be completed during the three-year renewal cycle. At least 50% of ACE course content must be related to Network+ exam objectives.

Completing a college course

A student can earn 10 CEUs for each three to four credit-hour class up to 30 CEUs. The course must be completed during the three-year renewal cycle. At least 50% of course content must be related to Network+ exam objectives.

Publishing a book

You can earn 20 CEUs by writing and publishing a book. It must be written and published during the three-year renewal cycle. At least 50% of book content must be related to Network+ exam objectives. In addition, you must submit a link to the website where the book is offered for sale or is published.

Publishing a blog post

Publishing a blog post of at least 500 words earns one CEU. You can obtain a maximum of 12 CEUs in this way. The blog post content must be written during the three-year renewal cycle. At least 50% of blog post content must be related to Network+ exam objectives.

Publishing a whitepaper or an article

A student can obtain four CEUs for a white paper or article of at least four pages in length. The maximum number of CEUs is 12. The content of the whitepaper or article must be written and published during the three-year renewal cycle, and at least 50% of the content must be related to Network+ exam objectives.

Here are other relevant IT industry participation activities that go toward your CompTIA certification renewal: You can earn 3 CEUs per year for work experience (up to nine CEUs); 1 CEU for each hour of teaching or mentoring (up to 15 CEUs); 1 CEU for each workshop hour that you participate as a CompTIA Subject Matter Expert (up to 30 CEUs); 2 CEUs for each hour of materials creation (up to 15 CEUs).

How can I submit my CEUs?

You can submit CEUs to CompTIA for approval after completing the activities. First and foremost, you need to create a Login Account. Then upload all required documentation, including activity details. Your CEUs will be automatically accepted once you submit them and audits are performed randomly.

Note: Your CE fees are due before submitting your CEUs.

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How can you pay your Network+ CE fees?

• Log in to your CompTIA certification account.
• Click on the Continuing Education menu item.
• Click on CE Maintenance Fees in the menu bar.

Note: You only need to pay CE fees for your highest-level certification.

Sources

• CE Renewal Cycle, CompTIA
• Continuing Education (CE), CompTIA
• How to Enter Your CEUs, CompTIA
• What Renewal Options Are Available to You?, CompTIA
• How to Pay Your CE Fees and View Payment History, CompTIA
• CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives EXAM NUMBER: N10-008, CompTIA
• Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), CompTIA
• Continuing Education Program FAQ, CompTIA
• How to Renew Your CompTIA Certification, CompTIA
• Network+, CompTIA