How to Schedule a CompTIA Exam at Pearson VUE in 2026

Scheduling Your CompTIA Exam: What First-Timers Miss

Scheduling a CompTIA exam at Pearson VUE is more involved than most candidates expect. There are account requirements, voucher purchasing steps, delivery format decisions, and ID rules that can derail your exam day if you discover them at the last minute. This guide walks through the entire process so you arrive prepared.

If you are still deciding when to schedule, read the CompTIA A+ study guide to understand how much preparation time you need before booking.

Step 1: Create Your Pearson VUE Account

Go to pearsonvue.com and create a candidate account. The name you enter must exactly match the name on your government-issued photo ID. This is not a suggestion: if there is a discrepancy between your Pearson VUE account name and your ID on exam day, you may be turned away. Use your full legal name as it appears on your passport or driver's license.

If you already have a Pearson VUE account from a previous exam, verify your name is correct before purchasing a new voucher.

Step 2: Purchase Your Exam Voucher

You can purchase exam vouchers directly from the CompTIA store at store.comptia.org. Vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

Third-party authorized resellers often offer discounts of 10 to 15 percent off CompTIA vouchers. Sites like Examvouchers.com and certificationvouchers.com are commonly used. Always verify the reseller is authorized by CompTIA before purchasing. The voucher code will be provided by the reseller and entered at checkout on the Pearson VUE scheduling page.

Step 3: Choose Your Delivery Format

CompTIA exams are available in two delivery formats through Pearson VUE:

• Online proctored (OnVUE): Take the exam at home or in any private location. Requires the OnVUE app (Pearson VUE's lockdown browser), a webcam, a microphone, and a quiet, private space. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No travel required.
• Test center: Take the exam at a physical Pearson VUE testing location. You check in with a proctor, store your belongings in a locker, and sit in a supervised room. This format eliminates technology setup anxiety and is preferred by candidates who find online proctoring stressful.

Neither format is harder than the other. The exam content and passing score are identical. Choose based on your comfort level with technology setup and your access to a quiet private space.

Step 4: Select Your Date and Time

Log in to your Pearson VUE account, find CompTIA in the testing program list, and select your exam. Enter your voucher code when prompted, then browse available dates. For online proctored exams, slots are generally available within 24 to 48 hours. For test centers, book 1 to 3 weeks in advance since popular locations fill quickly.

Choose a time when you are naturally alert. Do not schedule a 7am exam if you are not a morning person. Your cognitive performance matters, and a 10am slot where you are fully awake outperforms an early slot where you spent the morning rushing.

Step 5: Pre-Exam Checklist for Online Proctored Exams

• Technical requirements: Windows or Mac computer with the latest version of Chrome and the OnVUE app installed. Run the system compatibility check at least 24 hours before your exam, not 10 minutes before.
• Room requirements: You must be completely alone in the room. Your desk must be clear except for your computer. Second monitors must be disconnected or covered. The webcam must be able to show your full workspace when requested by the proctor.
• ID requirements: Government-issued photo ID (passport or driver's license). The name must exactly match your Pearson VUE account. Digital ID is not accepted.
• Sign in 30 minutes early: The online check-in process (ID verification, workspace scan, proctor connection) takes 15 to 25 minutes. Starting 30 minutes before your exam time ensures you begin on time without stress.

Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy

Pearson VUE's policy for CompTIA exams: rescheduling is free if you make the change more than 24 hours before your scheduled exam time. If you cancel or reschedule within 24 hours, you forfeit your entire exam fee. There is no partial refund.

If you need to reschedule due to illness or an emergency, contact Pearson VUE support directly. In documented circumstances, they may make exceptions, but this is not guaranteed.

What Happens on Exam Day at a Test Center

• Arrive 15 minutes early: Late arrival may result in being turned away. There is no grace period at most test centers.
• Store all belongings in a locker: Phones, wallets, keys, bags, and food all go in the locker. You bring only yourself to the terminal.
• No smart watches: Smart watches are not permitted in the exam room. Leave yours at home or store it in your locker.
• You will be given scratch paper: CompTIA test centers provide a whiteboard or scratch paper for notes. Use it for the first few minutes of your exam to dump memory items (acronyms, port numbers, OSI layers) before starting the questions.

Retake Scheduling After a Failed Exam

CompTIA requires a minimum wait of 3 business days before you can retake a failed exam. There is no limit on the number of retake attempts, but each attempt requires a new voucher purchase. For detailed retake policy information across certifications, read the complete retake policies guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take CompTIA exams online from outside the US?

Yes. Online proctored CompTIA exams (OnVUE) are available in most countries. Check the Pearson VUE website for your specific country's availability. Test center locations outside the US are also available in most major cities globally. The exam content and passing standard are identical worldwide.

What happens if my internet goes out during an online exam?

If your internet drops during an online proctored exam, the exam session will pause. The proctor will attempt to reconnect. If the connection cannot be restored, Pearson VUE's policy allows you to reschedule at no additional cost if the disconnection is outside your control. Contact Pearson VUE support within 24 hours of the incident with documentation of your connectivity issue. For candidates in areas with unreliable internet, a test center is strongly recommended.