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CompTIA · Data & Analytics · Associate

CompTIA DataSys+ exam guide

Exam DS0-002 (V2); DS0-001 retires April 16, 2027

CompTIA DataSys+ validates the ability to design, deploy, manage, secure and integrate databases across on-premises, cloud and hybrid environments. The V2 exam (DS0-002) launched October 13, 2026; DS0-001 retires April 16, 2027. It targets database administrators and engineers rather than analysts.

QuestionsUp to 90
Time limit90 minutes
Passing score700 (100-900 scale)
Exam fee$399 USD
Valid for3 years
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or online proctored (OnVUE)

Format: Multiple choice and performance-based. Fee note: 2026 US retail price; about $519 with retake.

Who it's for

Database administrators and engineers with 2-3 years of hands-on database experience.

What the exam covers

Database Fundamentals19%
Database Deployment17%
Database Management and Maintenance18%
Data and Database Security19%
Business Continuity14%
Data Integration13%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None

Recommended: 2-3 years of hands-on experience as a database administrator.

Keeping it active

Valid 3 years. Renew through CompTIA Continuing Education: earn 30 CEUs in the 3-year cycle and pay the $150 CE fee, or pass a newer version or a higher-level CompTIA exam that renews it automatically, or complete the matching CertMaster CE course.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Relational and non-relational database concepts
  • Deploying databases on-prem and in the cloud
  • Performance tuning, indexing and maintenance
  • Database security, access control and encryption
  • Backup, replication and high availability
  • Data integration and ETL pipelines
  • SQL scripting

Job roles

Database AdministratorDatabase EngineerData Engineer (junior)DevOps EngineerSystems Administrator

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Database fundamentals: relational vs NoSQL, normalization, SQL DDL/DML.
  2. Week 2: Deployment and management: installation, cloud DBaaS, indexing, tuning, patching.
  3. Week 3: Data and database security (19%): access control, encryption, auditing, compliance.
  4. Week 4: Business continuity and data integration: backups, replication, HA, ETL and APIs.
  5. Week 5: Timed practice exams using DS0-002 materials.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Make sure your study materials match DS0-002; V2 adds a separate Data Integration domain.
  • Know backup and recovery types and how they affect RPO and RTO.
  • Expect SQL snippets; know joins, constraints and transaction behavior.
  • Security and fundamentals are tied as the largest domains at 19% each.
  • Know when NoSQL (document, key-value, graph) is a better fit than relational.

Key terms for this exam

All 243 terms Study with thinQcards™

Frequently asked questions

How much does DataSys+ cost?

$399 USD at CompTIA's 2026 US retail price.

Should I take DS0-001 or DS0-002?

New candidates should take DS0-002, launched October 13, 2026. DS0-001 retires April 16, 2027.

DataSys+ vs Data+?

Data+ is for analysts; DataSys+ is for people who build and run the databases.

How do I renew DataSys+?

Earn 30 CEUs within 3 years and pay the $150 CE fee.

DataSys+ vs DP-300?

DataSys+ is vendor-neutral; Microsoft DP-300 focuses on Azure SQL administration.

Official page: www.comptia.org. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.