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CompTIA · Cybersecurity

CompTIA PenTest+

Planning an authorised test, analysing weaknesses and communicating findings and remediation.

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Understand the subject

Planning an authorised test, analysing weaknesses and communicating findings and remediation.

Apply it to the work

Useful when security work includes scoping tests, understanding a tester's findings or building a structured testing methodology.

Build practical evidence

Bring networking, operating-system and security fundamentals. Work through a small lab test and write the scope and findings as well as running the tools.

What you will learn to do

Understand the subject

Planning an authorised test, analysing weaknesses and communicating findings and remediation.

Apply it to the work

Useful when security work includes scoping tests, understanding a tester's findings or building a structured testing methodology.

Build practical evidence

Bring networking, operating-system and security fundamentals. Work through a small lab test and write the scope and findings as well as running the tools.

Certification essentials

Requirements, costs and keeping it current.

Check the vendor record and ongoing commitment alongside the career guidance.

Pricing view
Market

Vendor record

Live

Live at V3, PT0-003, launched 17 December 2024. Maximum 90 questions in 165 minutes, pass mark 750 on a 100 to 900 scale. CompTIA states retirement usually falls around three years after launch, which it estimates as 2027, so treat late bookings as version-sensitive.

Source: CompTIA · Read 17 September 2026

Sourced fields only; this does not mean every exam detail has been verified. Pricing and renewal policies have their own sources and check dates. Confirm the currency, tax and final booking total with the vendor.

Role-fit guidance is TechWaymark editorial interpretation. It is separate from the recorded vendor facts and does not measure hiring outcomes.

Costs and renewal

Exam cost
£274
Exam format
Exam format not yet verified — check the vendor's exam page
Keeping it current

Renew every 3 years with 60 continuing education units (CEUs) and the CE programme fee, or an eligible exam.

Renewal sources & exceptions

The CEU route costs US$150 in CE fees per 3-year cycle, not an annual fee. Passing the latest exam or an eligible higher CompTIA certification can renew without a separate CE fee; exam or course costs still apply. Check which lower certifications are covered.

Renewal policy checked 2026-09-28. Check the linked provider policy for current fees and eligibility.

UK storefront exam voucher only, quoted in GBP. Confirm VAT and the final booking total; training, retake assurance and renewal fees are separate. Vendor price checked 2026-09-24. Check the vendor record before booking.

Current vendor pricing source ↗
Preparation and practical skills

Recommended prior knowledge

  • Security+ knowledge
  • Basic Linux & networking

Common misconceptions

  • CompTIA PenTest+ may meet a named requirement; it does not guarantee shortlisting or replace documented work.

What this cert does NOT guarantee

  • Guaranteed interviews, a salary increase or proof of production experience.
Alternatives and related certifications

Where this fits

  • None required
This cert
CompTIA PenTest+
  • Top of this lane

Alternative routes

No single right path. These adjacent options reach similar roles.

  • eJPT
    Common follow-on or adjacent credential, see the graph for full lineage.
  • PNPT
    Common follow-on or adjacent credential, see the graph for full lineage.
  • OSCP
    Common follow-on or adjacent credential, see the graph for full lineage.

Adjacent & overlapping

  • eJPT
  • PNPT
  • OSCP
Career outcomes and limitations

Realistic first roles

Penetration-testing knowledge and methodology

How people actually get here

    Real-world career variations

    Timeline expectations

    1. Months 0–2Foundation reading, concepts, vocabulary.
    2. Months 2–4Hands-on labs, documented home projects.
    3. Months 4–6Practice exams, weak-area drills, exam.
    4. Post-examUse target vacancies to guide applications and projects. There is no guaranteed time to a first role.

    Study resources

    Study options

    Choose the right mix for your goals and experience. Links below go to official and third-party resources.

    Guided study

    Structured resources from established providers can help build knowledge and skills.

    Compare study options →

    Third-party providers. Commercial terms, pricing and availability apply.

    Practice environments

    Explore suitable environments for practical work. Check the tools, features and access you need.

    Compare practice resources →

    External resources. Check current costs and access requirements.

    Resources are selected for relevance. Compare access, syllabus coverage and total cost; a listing does not imply a commercial partnership.

    Compare the resources for CompTIA PenTest+
    CourseProvider source

    CompTIA CertMaster Learn PenTest+

    Reading + interactive

    Check the resource provider for current local pricing
    View resource
    LabProvider source

    CompTIA CertMaster Labs PenTest+

    Hands-on

    Check the resource provider for current local pricing
    View resource
    PracticeProvider source

    CompTIA CertMaster Practice PenTest+

    Quiz

    Check the resource provider for current local pricing
    View resource

    Check the current syllabus, access terms and total cost before choosing. Resource inclusion does not guarantee exam success.

    Optional home projects

    Build something you can explain.

    Ideas to explore after choosing a certification, using your own tools and keeping evidence of your work.

    Example project evidence
    Project evidence map (example)
    Assessment scope and rules of engagementScope and inputs
    Reporting and retest outlineDecisions and reasoning
    Evidence record (example)
    EvidenceWhat to capture
    Assessment scope and rules of engagementShow the inputs, scope and decisions behind this record. Third-party systems are excluded until independently authorised.
    Reporting and retest outlineInclude the evidence supporting your conclusion. The scope states stopping conditions and a communication route.

    Scope a small-business security assessment

    A small business requests a “full pentest” but has not identified its assets, service providers or acceptable disruption. You must make the engagement testable and bounded.

    Design project Your own tools Evidence guidance
    View project guide
    Track this certification

    Editorial route and career guidance. No separate external evidence review is recorded for this assessment.

    Editorial evidence review: pending · UK market. Vendor facts and prices elsewhere on this page have their own sources and check dates.