PenTest+
CompTIA PenTest+ · CompTIA
PenTest+ covers the whole penetration testing engagement: scoping and rules of engagement, reconnaissance, vulnerability discovery, attacks on networks, applications and the cloud, post-exploitation and reporting. It is recognised by the US DoD and gives a methodical, vendor-neutral view. Its strength is to give weight to scoping, the law and reporting; its limit is that it is mostly questions-based, so pentest recruiters prefer fully practical exams such as OSCP, PNPT or CPTS.
- Exam
- PT0-003 (since 17 December 2024): up to 90 questions (multiple choice and performance-based) in 165 minutes, pass mark 750 on a 100-900 scale.
- Exam price
- $439US list price; €323 on CompTIA’s European store. Prices vary by country. Voucher with a retake (Retake Assurance): US$579.
- Required experience
- None required. CompTIA recommends 3-4 years as a penetration tester, with Network+ and Security+ or equivalent knowledge.
- Validity and maintenance
- Valid 3 years: 60 CEUs plus a US$150 continuing education fee per cycle, or pass the latest version or a higher CompTIA certification (no fee).
- Format
- Multiple choice and hands-on
- Recognition
- ISO/IEC 17024 accredited · DoD 8140 approved
Who is it for?
Juniors moving into penetration testing or vulnerability assessment, and security staff who manage or commission pentests and need to understand them.
Domains covered
- Engagement management: 13%
- Reconnaissance and enumeration: 21%
- Vulnerability discovery and analysis: 17%
- Attacks and exploits: 35%
- Post-exploitation and lateral movement: 14%
Nestor’s take
Information checked on 2 October 2026 against the official site. Prices exclude tax and training, and may change.
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