Security+ SY0-701 vs SY0-801: Test Now or Wait?

CompTIA Security+ is the most requested entry-level security certification in the United States, and it is about to change. CompTIA lists the next version, exam code SY0-801, as expected on or around November 17, 2026. The current SY0-701 exam keeps running for months after that, with the English version scheduled to retire on June 11, 2027.

That overlap leaves a lot of people asking the same question: should I take SY0-701 now, or wait for SY0-801? Here is how we help students decide.

The dates that matter

Now through November 2026: SY0-701 is the only Security+ exam available.
On or around November 17, 2026: SY0-801 is expected to launch. Both versions can be booked during the overlap.
June 11, 2027: the English SY0-701 exam is scheduled to retire. Some other language versions run a little longer.

CompTIA sometimes adjusts launch dates, so confirm both dates on the CompTIA website before you book. We will update this article if they change.

The certification is the same

This is the most important point, and it is often lost online. Passing SY0-701 or SY0-801 earns you the same credential: CompTIA Security+. It is valid for three years from the day you pass, no matter which version you took. Your certification does not expire early because a newer exam came out.

Employers see “Security+” on your resume, not the exam code. A hiring manager in 2027 will treat a 2026 SY0-701 pass exactly like an SY0-801 pass.

Department of Defense 8140

If you work for, or want to work for, the federal government or a defense contractor, Security+ is probably on your requirement list. Under the DoD 8140 workforce rules (which replaced the older 8570 framework), Security+ qualifies for a wide range of cybersecurity work roles at the entry and intermediate levels.

The approval belongs to the Security+ certification, not to a specific exam version. In practice, contracts and job postings say “Security+,” and a current certification from either version satisfies them.

There is one caution. If you have a hard deadline, such as a contract start date or a government position that requires the certification within a set number of days, ask your security manager or contracting officer before you choose the brand-new exam. New versions can take a little time to show up correctly in every internal tracking system. SY0-701 is the zero-risk choice for a deadline before mid-2027.

This matters a lot in the DC region, Northern Virginia and Maryland, and around large military communities such as San Antonio, Colorado Springs, Hampton Roads and San Diego, where a large share of security job postings mention DoD 8140.

What is expected to change in SY0-801

CompTIA publishes draft objectives before a launch, and the general direction is clear even before the final version is out. As with the move from SY0-601 to SY0-701, expect:

More cloud and identity. Zero trust, identity and access management, and securing cloud workloads continue to grow.
AI in security. Both using AI tools in security operations and protecting AI systems themselves are increasingly part of CompTIA’s security track. CompTIA already launched a separate SecAI+ certification in 2026 focused on this area.
Newer threats. Current attack techniques, ransomware operations and supply chain attacks.
The same core. Cryptography basics, network security, vulnerability management, incident response and governance are not going anywhere.

Treat third-party lists of “every change” with care until the final objectives are published. The official CompTIA objectives document is the only source to study from.

Take SY0-701 now if…

You are already studying. If you are more than halfway through a SY0-701 course or book, finish it. Switching versions mid-study wastes time.
You have a deadline before summer 2027. Job offers, contract requirements, probation periods and promotion reviews all favor the exam that exists today.
You want the widest choice of study material. SY0-701 has years of books, videos, practice tests and labs behind it. SY0-801 resources will take months to mature.
You can sit the exam within the next three to six months. That is a comfortable window before the June 2027 retirement.

Wait for SY0-801 if…

You are starting from zero in early 2027. If you would not finish SY0-701 study until spring, you are better off preparing for the version that will be current for the next three years.
Your employer will reimburse you next fiscal year anyway. There is no penalty for waiting if nobody is waiting on you.
You want your knowledge to match the newest objectives. For some people, studying the latest content matters more than the convenience of mature study materials.

A realistic timeline

Learners who already hold A+ or Network+, or who have IT support experience, typically prepare for Security+ in 8 to 12 weeks at about 8 hours a week. Complete beginners usually need closer to four months and benefit from taking A+ or Network+ first.

If you start studying this October for SY0-701, you will finish comfortably before the retirement date. If you are planning to start in March or April 2027, prepare for SY0-801.

Exam cost and logistics in the US

The Security+ voucher costs a little over $400 at CompTIA’s list price, and CompTIA has raised prices periodically, so check the current price in the CompTIA store. Many training providers, colleges and employers offer discounted vouchers, and some bundles include a retake.

You book through Pearson VUE and can test at a center or online with OnVUE. The exam is up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, mixing multiple choice with performance-based questions, and the passing score is 750 on a scale of 100 to 900.

Paying for it: many US employers reimburse certification exams, veterans can use GI Bill benefits for certification test fees, and state workforce programs funded under WIOA sometimes cover training for in-demand jobs like cybersecurity. Ask your local American Job Center what is available in your state.

Frequently asked questions

Will my SY0-701 certification still count after SY0-801 launches?

Yes. You hold Security+ for three years from your pass date regardless of the version. Nothing changes for current holders when a new version launches.

Can I study SY0-701 material and take SY0-801?

You can, but it is risky. Most of the core content carries over, yet new and expanded topics are where people lose points. If you are going to sit SY0-801, use materials written for SY0-801 once they are available, or at least compare your study plan against the final official objectives.

How do I renew Security+?

CompTIA certifications renew through the Continuing Education program. You can earn continuing education units through training, work experience and other activities, or pass a higher-level CompTIA certification such as CySA+ or PenTest+, which renews Security+ along with it.

Is Security+ enough to get a cybersecurity job?

It is the most common first security certification, and it opens the door to many SOC analyst and security support roles, especially with federal contractors. It works best combined with networking knowledge from Network+ or the CCNA and some hands-on lab experience.

The bottom line

Do not let the version change freeze you. If you need Security+ in the next year, take SY0-701 while it is here and the study resources are plentiful. If your start date is next spring or later, prepare for SY0-801. Either way you earn the same certification, and either way it satisfies DoD 8140.

Our Security+ course covers the current objectives with live evening classes in US time zones, and we will update the material for SY0-801 when CompTIA publishes the final objectives. If you are weighing networking against security as a career path, our article on what network and security jobs pay uses the latest BLS data.