Is the CompTIA PenTest+ Certification worth it today? Costs, salary and FAQ

What is the CompTIA PenTest+ Certification?

CompTIA PenTest+ validates hands‑on skills across the complete penetration testing lifecycle: planning and scoping engagements, legal and ethical compliance, reconnaissance and enumeration, vulnerability discovery, exploitation, post‑exploitation and reporting. It emphasises the ability to use and modify tools and techniques, analyse findings, and communicate clear remediation guidance to stakeholders. These outcomes are defined in the official exam objectives.

The current version is PT0‑003 (V3). Official exam details include: maximum of 90 questions, a mix of multiple‑choice and performance‑based items, 165 minutes duration, and a passing score of 750 (on a 100–900 scale). Recommended experience: three to four years in a penetration tester or security consultant role. The exam is accredited under ISO/IEC 17024.

The V3 content reflects modern attack surfaces. Alongside traditional on‑prem and web application testing, PenTest+ covers cloud, containers, APIs, IoT, and emerging topics such as AI prompt‑injection and model misuse—skills increasingly useful in contemporary engagements.

CompTIA uses performance‑based questions (PBQs) to assess practical problem solving. PBQs are delivered as simulations or in virtual environments; multiple valid approaches exist and partial credit may be awarded. Understanding PBQs helps manage time on exam day.

PenTest+ is valid for three years and can be renewed through CompTIA’s Continuing Education program. PenTest+ requires 60 CEUs within the renewal cycle, earned via approved training, higher‑level certifications, or other CompTIA‑listed activities.

Why is the CompTIA PenTest+ Certification so popular?

1. It validates real offensive security skills. Employers want testers who can plan ethically, gather intelligence, exploit securely, pivot laterally, and write actionable reports. PenTest+ covers that end‑to‑end workflow.
2. It keeps pace with modern attack surfaces. V3 expands coverage to cloud, APIs, containers, IoT and AI‑related risks—making the cert relevant to today’s environments.
3. Accredited and recognised. CompTIA’s certifications are accredited to ISO/IEC 17024, giving hiring managers confidence in exam development and maintenance.
4. PBQ emphasis signals practical capability. PBQs demonstrate you can apply knowledge in realistic scenarios, not just recite concepts.

Is the CompTIA PenTest+ Certification worth it today?

For aspiring or practising penetration testers in Australia, yes. PenTest+ is a credible, vendor‑neutral credential that maps to daily job tasks. Global workforce data shows a 4.8 million professional gap, with 58% of respondents saying skills shortages put organisations at risk—evidence that validated, practical skills remain valuable.

Networks and applications are becoming more complex: organisations are converging networking and security, adopting AI‑assisted operations, and securing multicloud workloads. A certificate proving offensive skills and remediation communication helps contribute to secure‑by‑design initiatives with network and application teams.

Pros of PenTest+ Certification

Job availability

Sustained global cyber demand and skills gaps favour roles requiring scoping, exploit development, and reporting. PenTest+ skills match positions like security analyst, vulnerability assessor, red team operator, and consultant.

PenTest+ salary potential

Pay varies by city, sector, and experience. PenTest+ is often associated with progression into specialised offensive security or consultancy roles, which typically command higher packages than broad IT support or entry‑level SOC work.

Global recognition

Vendor‑neutral and accredited under international standards, PenTest+ is portable across employers and markets, useful for global teams or clients.

Career pathways

PenTest+ complements Security+ and CySA+. Professionals can advance into red teaming, web app/cloud security testing, or higher‑level certifications while maintaining CEUs for renewal.

Cons of PenTest+ Certification

Cost considerations (including the exam fee in Australia)

CompTIA sells region‑specific vouchers. The current base voucher is USD $425; Australian pricing varies with taxes or promotions. Bundles with training or retakes can be cost‑effective.

Evolving industry demands

Cloud-native architectures, APIs, and AI-enabled systems require testers to continually adapt. PenTest+ V3 is current, but ongoing lab practice is necessary.

Certification difficulty

PenTest+ is intermediate with PBQs. Success requires knowledge of tools and exploits, ethical considerations, strong reporting, and time management. Understanding PBQ formats and partial‑credit behaviour helps reduce exam friction.

Where to begin to get your PenTest+ Certification

1. Map your study to official objectives. Plan study aligned to PT0‑003 domains (engagement management, reconnaissance/enumeration, vulnerability discovery, attacks/exploits, post‑exploitation/reporting). Weight time toward exploitation and reporting.
2. Choose hands‑on training. Balance reading with labs; focus on ethical scoping, tool proficiency, exploitation fundamentals, and report writing.
3. Practise PBQs deliberately. Rehearse interpreting scan results, prioritising exploits, producing concise remediation notes. Learn PBQ rules to manage pacing.
4. Plan your renewal early. Track CEUs through webinars, projects, and additional certifications during the three-year cycle.

Key topics covered in PenTest+

• Engagement management and legal/ethical compliance: rules of engagement, authorisation letters, scoping boundaries, mandatory reporting.
• Reconnaissance and enumeration: OSINT, passive sniffing, protocol scanning; DNS, service, and directory enumeration; customising scripts for discovery.
• Vulnerability discovery and analysis: authenticated/unauthenticated scans; SAST/DAST; validation and false-positive management.
• Attacks and exploits: network and host tactics, web application attacks, cloud and container exploitation, AI-related risks.
• Post‑exploitation and lateral movement: persistence, pivoting, cleanup, and crafting attack narratives that lead to action.
• Reporting and communication: executive summaries, clear findings, prioritised remediation plans, stakeholder communication.
• Performance‑based practice: simulating realistic workflows under time pressure and understanding the scoring model.

Is a PenTest+ enough to get a job?

PenTest+ opens doors, but practical evidence wins interviews. Pair the certification with a small portfolio:

• Case study showing engagement scoping and consent documentation
• Lab write-up showing enumeration → exploit → lateral movement → cleanup
• Sample report page with prioritised remediation and business risk framing

Validated offensive skills plus demonstrable practice will help you stand out for junior penetration tester or security consultant roles in Australia.

Is PenTest+ worth it in Australia?

Yes—especially for ethical hacking credentials recognised by employers but vendor-neutral. Organisations are modernising networks, converging security, and securing multicloud environments. Analysts/testers who explain findings in business terms and collaborate with network/application teams fit well.

Does having a PenTest+ Certification pay well?

Pay depends on role, sector, experience, and ability to generate measurable outcomes. PenTest+ can help you qualify for specialised offensive security roles. As experience grows and reporting/web/cloud skills expand, earning potential increases.

Is the PenTest+ very difficult?

Challenging but fair if prepared deliberately. PBQs require quick judgement. Focus on reconnaissance, exploit selection, reporting clarity, and practise PBQs to build exam-day rhythm.

Is the PenTest+ certification stressful?

Timed exams with simulations can be stressful. Reduce pressure by:

• Learning PBQ mechanics (skip/revisit, partial credit)
• Setting strict time budgets per domain
• Practising full mocks to familiarise exam cadence

How many fail PenTest+?

CompTIA does not publish pass or fail rates. Passing thresholds are set statistically and may change. Focus on study quality over pass-rate claims.

The future of networking jobs in Australia

Networking and security are converging. Organisations plan integrated multicloud networking and security platforms with AI-enabled operations. Testers who understand control deployment, telemetry flow, and can communicate with network teams will be increasingly valuable.