CompTIA Network+ guideExam day, scoring, and renewal
How to Schedule CompTIA Network+: OnVUE or a Pearson VUE Test Center
Book N10-009 through CompTIA Central and Pearson VUE, choose between OnVUE and a test center, and plan around the reschedule deadlines, the late-arrival rule, and three places where CompTIA's and Pearson's pages disagree.
Short answer
You book CompTIA Network+ by signing in to CompTIA Central, which hands you to Pearson VUE. There you choose exam N10-009, a Pearson VUE test center or online testing through OnVUE, the exam language, and a date, then pay with a credit card or a voucher. The steps are the same for both delivery modes. A test center appointment must be rescheduled or canceled at least 24 hours ahead, while an OnVUE appointment can be changed up to its start time. Request any accommodation before you schedule, because it cannot be added afterward.
Booking CompTIA Network+ N10-009, step by step
CompTIA Network+ V9 is exam N10-009, and that is the code you select when you book. CompTIA's "Schedule Exam" page, checked on October 18, 2026, describes one process for both delivery modes. Grouped by where you are, it looks like this:
- In CompTIA Central. Sign in, or create an account. Open the section for scheduling and managing exams, then complete or confirm your profile. Use your name exactly as it appears on your ID.
- On Pearson VUE's site. Select exam N10-009. Choose a Pearson VUE test center or online delivery through OnVUE.
- Preferences. Pick the exam language, agree to the testing policies, and, for a test center, compare up to three locations.
- Date and payment. Choose a date and time, review the appointment, and pay with a credit card or an exam voucher. Submitting confirms the booking.
Network+ is offered in English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish, according to CompTIA's Network+ page. A CompTIA voucher is single-use and, per the product text on the same page, valid for 12 months from purchase. Current prices are in the Network+ cost guide.
CompTIA's FAQ also notes that some of its products are not available in regions under U.S. sanctions or in areas with local restrictions, naming the Canadian province of Quebec. If either applies to you, contact CompTIA before buying a voucher.
OnVUE or a test center: the differences that matter
| Pearson VUE test center | OnVUE online | |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | The center's computer and network | Your computer: Windows 10 or a recent macOS (see the conflict below), webcam, microphone, speakers, one display, no virtual machines |
| Network | Provided | At least 6 Mbps down and 2 Mbps up, on a private connection with no VPN or corporate network |
| Check-in | Staff photograph you for the printed score report. CompTIA says candidates who refuse the photo cannot test. | Opens 30 minutes before. You take photos of yourself, your ID, and the room, plus a 360° room scan |
| Late arrival | Follow the center's instructions | CompTIA says more than 15 minutes late means you cannot test |
| During the exam | Proctored in the center | Recorded through your webcam. A digital whiteboard only, no physical notes, no reading aloud |
| Reschedule or cancel | At least one full business day (24 hours) before | Up to the scheduled start time |
| Breaks | No scheduled breaks | No scheduled breaks. CompTIA's online guidelines say breaks need an approved accommodation and are allowed only at a test center |
Two rules apply to both modes. A late change or a no-show forfeits the exam fee, and CompTIA's policies say exams booked with certain accommodations can take up to three days to reschedule. OnVUE proctors cannot pause the exam or add time, so a home network problem costs you exam time. If your connection or room is unreliable, a test center removes that risk.
Three places where CompTIA's and Pearson's pages disagree
The CompTIA and Pearson VUE pages checked on October 18, 2026 give different rules on three OnVUE details. Neither side states which page wins, so the safe plan is to meet the stricter one.
| Detail | CompTIA's page | Pearson VUE's CompTIA OnVUE page | Plan that satisfies both |
|---|---|---|---|
| macOS version | macOS 13 or higher (online guidelines) | macOS 14 or higher | Test on macOS 14 or later, or use Windows 10 or later |
| Drinks at the desk | Remove food and drinks (online guidelines) | A beverage in an unmarked container is allowed | Keep the desk clear of drinks |
| ID | Two original, unexpired IDs: a government-issued primary with photo and a secondary with name and signature or photo (Candidate ID Policy) | One valid government-issued photo ID that exactly matches the booking. CompTIA's own online guidelines also ask for one | Have both IDs ready, with names matching your registration exactly |
All three sources agree that U.S. military IDs cannot be used for OnVUE. The country lists for OnVUE also differ slightly between CompTIA and Pearson, so check both lists if you live outside the United States.
Candidates under 18 face a fourth difference. CompTIA's ID policy says that from June 23, 2026, minors need parental consent through CompTIA Central before registering. Pearson's OnVUE page says a parent or guardian must be present at check-in with ID, and CompTIA's online guidelines say a parent or guardian must be available to give consent. If this applies to you, read all three pages and confirm the procedure with Pearson VUE before exam day.
A booking timeline worked back from exam day
| When | What to do | The rule behind it |
|---|---|---|
| Before you book | Request any accommodation through Pearson VUE and wait for approval | Accommodations must be approved before scheduling and cannot be added once the exam has started |
| When you book | Check that your CompTIA Central name matches your IDs exactly | Both CompTIA's and Pearson's ID rules require an exact match |
| A week or more ahead (OnVUE) | Run the OnVUE system test on the same computer and network you will use | Both CompTIA and Pearson tell you to run it on your exam-day setup |
| Before the test-center change deadline | Check the deadline in your confirmation and change the appointment early | CompTIA describes one full business day (24 hours); do not assume a weekend or holiday leaves a safe last-minute window |
| Up to the start (OnVUE) | Last moment to reschedule or cancel without losing the fee | OnVUE changes are allowed until the scheduled start |
| 30 minutes ahead (OnVUE) | Begin check-in | Check-in opens 30 minutes before the appointment |
| 15 minutes after the start (OnVUE) | Too late to test | CompTIA's 15-minute rule |
The exam itself is a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, as the Network+ format guide explains. CompTIA's blog adds that check-in time does not count toward the 90 minutes.
Extra time on CompTIA Network+: ESL and accommodations
ESL time. CompTIA gives a 30-minute extension for exams delivered in English in non-English-speaking countries where a localized version of the exam is not available. It is not offered in English-speaking countries, and in eligible countries Pearson VUE grants it automatically at registration. Because Network+ is also offered in German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish, whether your country qualifies is not spelled out on the pages checked. Look for the extension when you register, and ask Pearson VUE if it does not appear.
Accommodations. Extra time, scheduled breaks, or other adjustments go through Pearson VUE's accommodations process. Start it before you pick a date, and leave time for the review.
After the exam, the passing score guide covers the score report and CompTIA's retake waits. Passy cannot book or change CompTIA appointments. Every booking change goes through CompTIA Central and Pearson VUE.
Trust the source
Official sources
Exam policies can change. Use these primary sources for the most current details.