CompTIA · Professional Certification · Associate
CompTIA PenTest+
Crydd Score 70
Demand Growing
Career Value Strong
Recognition Strong
PenTest+ at a glance
- Provider
- CompTIA
- Credential type
- Professional Certification
- Exam required
- Yes
- Category
- Security
- Level
- Associate
- Cost
- $439
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Time to earn
- 2–3 months
- Validity
- 3 years (renewable via continuing education)
- Format
- Exam PT0-003: up to 90 questions, 165 minutes; 750 to pass
- Prerequisites
- None required; 3–4 years in penetration testing, with Network+ and Security+ knowledge, recommended
What is PenTest+?
CompTIA's certification for penetration testers, on exam PT0-003: engagement management, reconnaissance and enumeration, vulnerability discovery and analysis, attacks and exploits, and post-exploitation and lateral movement.
Skills it covers
- Penetration testing
- Scoping and reporting
- Exploitation basics
- Scripting
Is PenTest+ worth it? The Crydd Verdict
CS 70Choose it if
You want to move into penetration testing and need a vendor-neutral credential that covers the whole engagement, including scoping and reporting.
Consider alternatives if
You want a hands-on exam that offensive security employers prize: OffSec's OSCP. For broader brand recognition, EC-Council's CEH.
Why we say so
It covers planning and reporting as well as attacks, which is what real engagements require, and it is approved for US defence roles.
Market demand
Penetration testing roles are fewer than defensive ones; PenTest+ is a solid stepping stone, with the OSCP carrying more weight for specialist roles.
Where PenTest+ takes you
- Cybersecurity Analyst
Career roadmaps show where this certification fits in each path. See the roadmaps.
Related certifications
Curated connections from the catalog — each labelled with how it relates to PenTest+, so you know why it’s here.
Careers PenTest+ leads to
The professional paths this certification genuinely serves — browse every relevant credential for each.
A sensible order
Where PenTest+ sits on the path — build up, then step on.
Recommended next after PenTest+
A step up on a shared path
