CompTIA PenTest+
IntermediatePenetration TestingPaid
Vendor-neutral penetration testing certification covering the full pentest lifecycle including planning, reconnaissance, exploitation, post-exploitation, and reporting. Covers cloud, web apps, APIs, and IoT. DoD 8570 approved.
What you'll prove
- Plan and scope a penetration testing engagement including rules of engagement
- Conduct passive and active reconnaissance against target systems
- Perform vulnerability scanning and prioritize findings by exploitability
- Execute exploitation techniques against network, web, API, and cloud targets
- Conduct post-exploitation including privilege escalation and lateral movement
- Perform cleanup and restore systems after testing
- Produce professional penetration testing reports with actionable remediation guidance
Frequently asked
How much does CompTIA PenTest+ cost?
The PenTest+ exam costs $404 USD as of 2025.
PenTest+ vs OSCP — which is better?
PenTest+ is MCQ-based and broadly covers the pentest lifecycle including compliance requirements. OSCP is a 24-hour hands-on practical exam with significantly higher technical depth and industry recognition for technical pentest roles.
Is PenTest+ DoD approved?
Yes. PenTest+ is DoD 8570/8140 approved for CSSP Analyst roles.