CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002)
CompTIA PenTest+ (V3) validates hands‑on penetration testing skills and the ability to manage and report engagements across modern attack surfaces.
- Exam fee
- $425
- Duration
- 165 minutes
- Passing score
- 750 (on a scale of 100–900)
- Typical salary
- $90K–$125K
PenTest+ is a solid choice for security professionals who already have a few years of hands‑on experience and want to prove both technical and managerial penetration‑testing abilities. If you lack practical testing experience, a more foundational certification may be a better starting point.
What PT0-002 covers
The only pentesting certification that covers all stages of the penetration testing lifecycle. Validates both hands-on technical skills and management skills required to plan and scope engagements.
Key topics covered: Planning & scoping engagements, Information gathering & vulnerability scanning, Attacks & exploits, Post-exploitation techniques, Reporting & communication, Tools & code analysis.
Best suited for: Security professionals with hands-on IT experience wanting to move into penetration testing roles.
Common career paths: Penetration Tester, Vulnerability Analyst, Security Consultant, Red Team Analyst.
PT0-002 exam details
maximum of 90 questions, including multiple‑choice and performance‑based items
Exam domains
- Engagement management (13%)
- Reconnaissance and enumeration (21%)
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $425
- Duration
- 165 minutes
- Passing score
- 750 (on a scale of 100–900)
- Prerequisites
- 3–4 years in a penetration tester role, with Network+ and Security+ or equivalent knowledge
How to prepare for PT0-002
| Stage | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the exam outline Read the official objectives and become familiar with the two weighted domains – Engagement management and Reconnaissance & enumeration. | Week 1 |
| 2 | Deep‑dive into engagement management Study planning, scoping, legal/ethical compliance, stakeholder communication and report writing; practice creating mock engagement documents. | Weeks 2‑3 |
| 3 | Master reconnaissance and enumeration techniques Learn active/passive OSINT, network sniffing, enumeration tools; run labs to gather and validate target information. | Weeks 4‑5 |
| 4 | Hands‑on lab practice Use CertMaster Perform or similar labs to execute scans, attacks, persistence, and lateral movement in simulated cloud, web, and IoT environments. | Weeks 6‑7 |
| 5 | Timed exam simulation Complete full‑length practice exams under the 165‑minute limit, review explanations, and close any knowledge gaps. | Week 8 |
Jobs and salary with PT0-002
People holding this certification commonly report pay around $90K–$125K. Pay depends heavily on role, location and total experience. See the salary breakdown.
Roles this certification supports
PT0-002 questions answered
What is the CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) certification?
CompTIA PenTest+ (V3) validates hands‑on penetration testing skills and the ability to manage and report engagements across modern attack surfaces. It is issued by CompTIA and sits in the Cybersecurity field.
Is CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) hard?
CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) is rated Intermediate. It assumes some foundational knowledge or entry-level experience.
How much does the CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) exam cost?
The listed exam fee is $425. Fees vary by country and change over time, so confirm the current price with CompTIA before you book.
How long is the CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) exam?
The exam runs for 165 minutes.
What is the passing score for CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002)?
The passing score is 750 (on a scale of 100–900).
Are there prerequisites for CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002)?
3–4 years in a penetration tester role, with Network+ and Security+ or equivalent knowledge
What salary can I expect with CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002)?
Professionals with CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) commonly report pay in the $90K–$125K range. Actual pay depends on role, location and total experience.
How should I prepare for CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002)?
Start with the official exam outline, build hands-on practice for each domain, then finish with timed practice questions. The study plan on this page breaks this into steps.
Alternatives to PT0-002
| Certification | Vendor | Level |
|---|---|---|
| CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional | ISC2 | Advanced |
| CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker | EC-Council | Intermediate |
| CompTIA Security+ | CompTIA | Beginner |
| CISM - Certified Information Security Manager | ISACA | Advanced |
| Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer | Google Cloud | Advanced |