OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional
The OSCP certifies you can ethically find, exploit, and report real‑world vulnerabilities through a rigorous 24‑hour hands‑on exam.
- Exam fee
- $1,699
- Duration
- 24 hours
- Typical salary
- $120K–$165K
OSCP is worth it for security professionals who want proven, hands‑on offensive skills and can commit to intensive practice. If you need a quick, theory‑heavy credential, another certification may suit you better.
What OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional covers
The most respected hands-on penetration testing certification in the world. Requires passing a grueling 24-hour practical exam. Demanded by top security firms, government agencies, and red teams globally.
Key topics covered: Active information gathering, Buffer overflow exploitation, Privilege escalation, Antivirus evasion, Post-exploitation techniques, Professional report writing.
Best suited for: Experienced security professionals targeting senior penetration testing and red team positions.
Common career paths: Senior Penetration Tester, Red Team Lead, Security Researcher, Offensive Security Consultant.
OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional exam details
24‑hour proctored practical exam
Exam domains
- Active information gathering
- Buffer overflow exploitation
- Privilege escalation
- Antivirus evasion
- Post-exploitation techniques
- Professional report writing
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $1,699
- Duration
- 24 hours
- Prerequisites
- Hands‑on practical knowledge of Linux and Windows administration, networking, and network scripting
How to prepare for OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional
| Stage | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the OSCP exam structure Read the official exam guide, learn about the 24‑hour proctored format, lab environment, and scoring criteria. | Week 1 |
| 2 | Master core penetration‑testing techniques Follow the PEN‑200 modules to cover enumeration, web attacks, privilege escalation, Active Directory, and cloud exploitation. | Weeks 2‑4 |
| 3 | Hands‑on lab practice Spend extensive time in the OffSec labs, completing module labs and the nine challenge labs to build speed and accuracy. | Weeks 5‑7 |
| 4 | Simulated exam runs Do full‑length 24‑hour practice exams on the three standalone machines and AD scenario, then refine reporting. | Weeks 8‑9 |
Jobs and salary with OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional
People holding this certification commonly report pay around $120K–$165K. Pay depends heavily on role, location and total experience. See the salary breakdown.
Roles this certification supports
OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional questions answered
What is the OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional certification?
The OSCP certifies you can ethically find, exploit, and report real‑world vulnerabilities through a rigorous 24‑hour hands‑on exam. It is issued by Offensive Security and sits in the Cybersecurity field.
Is OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional hard?
OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional is rated Advanced. It usually assumes several years of hands-on work, so most candidates prepare for longer.
How much does the OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional exam cost?
The listed exam fee is $1,699. Fees vary by country and change over time, so confirm the current price with Offensive Security before you book.
How long is the OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional exam?
The exam runs for 24 hours.
Are there prerequisites for OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional?
Hands‑on practical knowledge of Linux and Windows administration, networking, and network scripting
What salary can I expect with OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional?
Professionals with OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional commonly report pay in the $120K–$165K range. Actual pay depends on role, location and total experience.
How should I prepare for OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional?
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 OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional
| 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 |