Exam fees, validity periods, and renewal rules for 15 AWS, Cisco, CompTIA, and Google Cloud certifications in one place.
Before you commit to a certification, it helps to see what it actually costs: the exam fee, how long the credential stays valid, and what you have to do to keep it. This page puts those three numbers side by side for all 15 certifications CertSharp covers across AWS, Cisco, CompTIA, and Google Cloud.
Exam fees here range from $99 (Google Cloud Cloud Digital Leader) to $369 (CompTIA Network+). Most credentials are valid for three years, while Cisco CCST certifications earned from 15 July 2025 last five years and earlier CCSTs do not expire, so the real cost of the fee is spread over a longer period.
Fees are indicative US list prices in USD. Taxes, regional pricing, and vouchers vary, so confirm the current fee on the vendor site before you book.
| Certification | Exam fee | Valid for | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 | $100 | 3 years | Recertify before expiry by retaking the exam or passing a higher-level AWS exam. |
| AI Practitioner AIF-C01 | $100 | 3 years | Recertify before expiry by retaking the exam or passing a higher-level AWS exam. |
| Solutions Architect Associate SAA-C03 | $150 | 3 years | Recertify before expiry by retaking the exam or passing a higher-level AWS exam. |
| Developer Associate DVA-C02 | $150 | 3 years | Recertify before expiry by retaking the exam or passing a higher-level AWS exam. |
| Certification | Exam fee | Valid for | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCST IT Support 100-140 | $125 | 5 years | Valid 5 years for exams passed on or after 15 July 2025, renewed by passing a current exam. Earlier CCSTs do not expire. |
| CCST Networking 100-150 | $125 | 5 years | Valid 5 years for exams passed on or after 15 July 2025, renewed by passing a current exam. Earlier CCSTs do not expire. |
| CCST Cybersecurity 100-160 | $125 | 5 years | Valid 5 years for exams passed on or after 15 July 2025, renewed by passing a current exam. Earlier CCSTs do not expire. |
| CCNA 200-301 | $300 | 3 years | Retake the exam, pass a higher-level exam, or earn Continuing Education credits. |
| Certification | Exam fee | Valid for | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ Core 1 220-1201 | $253 | 3 years | Earn continuing education units (CEUs) or retake/upgrade. A+ needs both Core 1 and Core 2. |
| A+ Core 2 220-1202 | $253 | 3 years | Earn continuing education units (CEUs) or retake/upgrade. A+ needs both Core 1 and Core 2. |
| Network+ N10-009 | $369 | 3 years | Earn continuing education units (CEUs) or retake/upgrade. |
| Tech+ FC0-U71 | $146 | See vendor | Check CompTIA for the current renewal policy on this fundamentals certification. |
| Certification | Exam fee | Valid for | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Digital Leader CDL | $99 | 3 years | Retake the exam within the vendor recertification window before expiry. |
| Generative AI Leader GAIL | $99 | 3 years | Retake the exam within the vendor recertification window before expiry. |
| Associate Cloud Engineer ACE | $125 | 3 years | Retake the exam within the vendor recertification window before expiry. |
The per-exam fee is only part of the bill. Two of the certifications here are made of more than one exam. CompTIA A+ needs both Core 1 and Core 2, so the exam fees come to about $506. If you take all three Cisco CCST exams (IT Support, Networking, and Cybersecurity), the fees add up to $375, though each CCST stands on its own and you do not need all three.
Then there are the costs people forget to budget. A failed attempt usually means paying the full fee again, and most vendors require a waiting period before you can retake. Study materials, practice exams, and lab time add to the total. Employers often reimburse exam fees, and vendors sometimes publish vouchers or discounts, so ask before you pay out of pocket.
The cheapest way to avoid a retake is to find out you are not ready before you book. A short readiness quiz takes under five minutes, and practice under timed conditions shows whether your weak areas are closing.
Renewal rules differ by vendor, but they follow a few patterns. AWS and Google Cloud expect you to recertify by retaking the exam before the credential expires. Cisco lets you retake the exam, pass a higher-level exam, or, for CCNA, earn Continuing Education credits. CompTIA certifications such as A+ and Network+ renew through continuing education units (CEUs) or by retaking or upgrading. Cisco CCST certifications earned from 15 July 2025 are valid for five years and renew by passing a current exam, while earlier CCSTs do not expire.
A three-year validity period means the true cost of a renewable certification is the original fee plus whatever renewal path you choose, spread over the years you plan to use the credential.
Google Cloud Cloud Digital Leader (CDL) has the lowest listed fee at about $99.
CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) has the highest listed fee at about $369.
Most expire after three years and must be renewed by retaking an exam, passing a higher-level exam, or earning continuing-education credit, depending on the vendor. Cisco CCST certifications earned on or after 15 July 2025 are valid for five years, and CCSTs earned before that date do not expire.
A+ requires passing two exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). At $253 each, the exam fees total about $506.
No. These are indicative US list prices. Taxes, regional pricing, vouchers, and discounts vary, so always confirm the current fee on the vendor site before booking.
Practice under timed conditions first. CertSharp offers 30 free questions per session for every certification listed here, and exam-mode practice for $11.99 one-time per certification.
Practice with 30 free questions per session on every certification above, or unlock the full 500-question bank and timed exam mode for $11.99 one-time per certification.