The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ is a question that keeps many cybersecurity professionals awake at night. CompTIA officially retired the CAS-003 exam on April 2, 2024, replacing it with CAS-004, which itself was later superseded by the new SecurityX certification in late 2024.
According to CompTIA's official certification roadmap, the Advanced Security Practitioner credential has undergone three major revisions since 2018, each bringing substantial content updates.
The problem is clear: if you hold a CASP+ certification tied to CAS-003, you need to understand how retirement affects your credential status, renewal requirements, and career trajectory. Many certified professionals mistakenly believe their certification expires when the exam retires.
This article breaks down the exact retirement timeline, what it means for your current certification, renewal pathways, and the strategic moves you should make before your credential status changes.
Understanding the CAS-003 Retirement Timeline
The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ marked the end of an era for the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner certification. CAS-003 launched in April 2018 and served as the gold standard for advanced cybersecurity skills assessment for six years.
CompTIA typically maintains each exam version for approximately three years before introducing a replacement. The CAS-003 exam remained available longer than average due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on testing centers and candidate preparation timelines. CompTIA's official exam retirement policy states that "retired exams are no longer available for scheduling, but certifications already earned remain valid until their expiration date."
How to apply this: Check your certification transcript on CompTIA's website immediately to confirm which exam version your CASP+ credential is tied to.
What the CAS-003 Retirement Means for Current Certification Holders
If you passed CAS-003 before the retirement date, your certification remains fully valid. The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ does not invalidate your existing credential. CompTIA certifications are version-agnostic once earned — your CASP+ credential shows as active regardless of which exam version you passed.
However, renewal requirements have shifted. Starting with CAS-004 and continuing with SecurityX, CompTIA introduced updated continuing education requirements. According to CompTIA's official renewal policy, certification holders must earn 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) over a three-year cycle to maintain active status.
A common scenario involves employers requiring recertification against the newest exam version. Some government and defense contractors mandate that employees hold certifications aligned with current DoD 8570/8140 requirements, which now reference the SecurityX certification rather than CASP+. Understanding the cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ helps you anticipate these alignment issues before they affect your role.
How to apply this: Review your current CEU balance in CompTIA's Certification Manager and calculate how many units you need before your renewal deadline.
Renewal Pathways After CAS-003 Retirement
The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ created three distinct renewal paths for certification holders. Understanding these options helps you choose the most cost-effective route.
Option 1: Earn CEUs Through Activities
CompTIA accepts CEUs from multiple sources: attending conferences, publishing articles, completing higher education courses, and earning other industry certifications. Each activity carries a specific CEU value.
Option 2: Pass the Newer Exam
You can renew by passing CAS-004 or the new SecurityX exam. This approach refreshes your knowledge and demonstrates current competency to employers. CompTIA reports that candidates who recertify by examination show stronger job performance metrics.
Option 3: CertMaster CE
CompTIA's CertMaster CE platform offers an online, self-paced renewal course. This option costs less than retaking the full exam and requires no testing center visit.
| Renewal Path | Time Investment | Cost Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEU Accumulation | 3 years (ongoing) | Varies by activity | Active professionals attending events |
| New Exam (CAS-004/SecurityX) | 2-3 months prep | $494 exam fee | Those wanting current validation |
| CertMaster CE | 6-8 hours | $199 | Busy professionals needing quick renewal |
How to apply this: Compare your current CEU count against the 75-unit requirement, then select the renewal path that fits your timeline and budget.
How the SecurityX Transition Affects CASP+ Holders
The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ is part of a broader rebranding strategy. In late 2024, CompTIA renamed CASP+ to SecurityX, positioning it as an expert-level credential in their revised certification portfolio.
CompTIA's official announcement explains: "The SecurityX certification represents the evolution of CASP+, designed to meet the changing demands of enterprise security architecture." This transition means your CASP+ credential will eventually display as SecurityX on verification reports, though CompTIA has committed to honoring all active CASP+ certifications.
The DoD 8140 framework now lists SecurityX as an approved baseline certification for certain cybersecurity workforce roles. If you work in government contracting, verifying your certification's alignment with current requirements is essential. The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ sits at the center of that alignment review.
How to apply this: Download your certification verification report from CompTIA's verification portal to see how your credential currently displays to employers.
Strategic Career Moves Before Your Credential Lapses
The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ should prompt a proactive career review. Waiting until your certification expires creates unnecessary risk.
First, assess whether your current role requires active CASP+/SecurityX status. Many private-sector employers list CASP+ as "preferred" rather than "required," meaning a lapsed certification may not impact your position. However, government and defense roles often mandate active status.
Second, consider stacking complementary certifications. Earning credentials like CISSP, CISM, or specialized cloud security certifications from AWS or Microsoft can offset any perceived gap from a lapsed CASP+. Industry surveys consistently show that professionals holding multiple security certifications command higher salaries than those with a single credential.
Third, document your practical experience. Hiring managers increasingly value demonstrated incident response experience and security architecture projects over certification lists alone.
How to apply this: Schedule a 30-minute career planning session this week to map your certification renewal timeline against your professional goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+
What happens if my CASP+ certification expires before I renew?
If your CASP+ credential lapses, CompTIA requires you to retake the current exam version to regain certified status. The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ means you can no longer retake that specific exam — you must pass CAS-004 or SecurityX. CompTIA offers a grace period of approximately 90 days after expiration during which you can still renew with CEUs.
Can I still claim CASP+ on my resume after the retirement date?
Yes, you can list CASP+ as long as your certification remains active. The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ does not retroactively invalidate your credential. However, once CompTIA fully transitions to the SecurityX branding, you should update your resume to reflect the new name to avoid confusion during employer verification checks.
How do I verify which exam version my CASP+ is tied to?
Log into your CompTIA account and access your certification history. The transcript shows the exam code (CAS-003, CAS-004, etc.) and the date you passed. The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ information appears alongside your credential details, helping you determine which renewal requirements apply to your specific situation.
Does the CAS-003 retirement affect my CEU requirements?
No, the CEU requirement remains 75 units per three-year cycle regardless of exam version. The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ changed the available renewal methods but not the underlying continuing education framework. Some CEU activities introduced for CAS-004 and SecurityX may not have been available when you originally certified.
Should I renew CASP+ or pursue a different certification instead?
This depends on your career trajectory. The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ creates a natural decision point. If your role emphasizes hands-on security architecture and you work in government contracting, renewing through SecurityX makes sense. If you are moving toward management, CISSP or CISM may offer better long-term value.
Next Steps for Your Certification Strategy
- Confirm your current CASP+ status and expiration date through CompTIA's certification manager
- Calculate your CEU balance and determine which renewal pathway fits your schedule
- Decide whether to renew, transition to SecurityX, or pivot to an alternative certification
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your certification strategy
The cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ represents a transition point, not a dead end. Your existing credential retains value, and the renewal options provide flexibility for different career stages. Tracking the cas-003 retirement date comptia casp+ against your own renewal calendar keeps you ahead of every deadline.
Take action today: log into your CompTIA account, verify your expiration date, and commit to a renewal decision within the next 30 days. Your career momentum depends on it.
