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CompTIA PenTest+

PenTest+ proves you can plan and run penetration tests — find, exploit and report vulnerabilities, legally and professionally. An intermediate, hands-on offensive-security certification.

Enrol Now — £195
Duration
5–9 weeks
Format
100% online
Prerequisites
None needed
Access
12 months

About this certification

What Is CompTIA PenTest+?

The vendor-neutral, hands-on certification that proves you can plan and run penetration tests end to end.

The certification explained

CompTIA PenTest+ is a vendor-neutral, intermediate penetration-testing certification — the current PT0-003. It’s built and maintained by CompTIA, a non-profit trade association, so it proves offensive-security skills that apply across any organisation’s systems, not just one vendor’s tools.

It covers the full engagement lifecycle: scoping and planning; reconnaissance and enumeration; vulnerability discovery; attacks and exploitation; post-exploitation; and the reporting that turns findings into action — all conducted legally and professionally.

CompTIA recommends Network+ and Security+ and 3–4 years of hands-on security experience before PenTest+, though there are no formal prerequisites. It’s an intermediate credential built for people moving into offensive-security roles.

1
exam to pass — the current PT0-003
6
exam domains, from engagement management to reporting
Hands-on
performance-based exam — complete real pen-testing tasks
100%
vendor-neutral — skills that apply across any organisation’s systems

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

CompTIA PenTest+ suits anyone moving into offensive security — whether you’re stepping up from a defensive role or building a focused penetration-testing career.

Aspiring Penetration Testers

Want to break into pen testing and need a recognised, hands-on offensive-security credential.

Security/SOC Analysts Going Offensive

Ready to move from defensive monitoring into hands-on offensive security and red-team work.

Security+ Holders

Already hold Security+ and want to specialise — the natural step into offensive security.

Ethical Hacking Enthusiasts

Love learning how attacks work and want to turn that into a professional, accredited skill set.

IT Security Pros

Have security experience and want to add penetration testing to your skill set — and your pay.

Hands-On Learners

Learn best by doing — practise real pen-testing tasks and scenarios as you go.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course runs across 8 modules covering all six exam domains, from engagement scoping through to deliverables and reporting, plus final exam prep. That’s around 30 hours of video, with hands-on demonstrations throughout.

Introduction & Penetration Testing Basics
Pen-testing phases and methodology · Legal, ethical and authorisation requirements
~3 hrs
Engagement Management
Scoping and planning · Rules of engagement · Governance and compliance
~4 hrs
Reconnaissance & Enumeration
OSINT · Active and passive recon · Enumeration and scanning
~5 hrs
Vulnerability Discovery & Analysis
Vulnerability scanning · Analysing and prioritising findings
~4 hrs
Attacks & Exploits
Network, application, wireless and social-engineering attacks · Exploitation techniques
~6 hrs
Post-Exploitation & Lateral Movement
Maintaining access · Pivoting and lateral movement · Covering tracks
~4 hrs
Deliverables & Reporting
Writing the report · Communicating risk · Recommendations and remediation
~2 hrs
Exam Preparation & Practice Questions
Practice questions · Weak-area review · Exam-day readiness
~2 hrs

What the course covers

Scoping & rules of engagement

Legal & authorisation requirements

OSINT gathering

Active & passive recon

Enumeration & scanning

Vulnerability discovery

Network attacks

Application attacks

Wireless attacks

Social engineering

Exploitation techniques

Post-exploitation & pivoting

Maintaining access

Lateral movement

Covering tracks

Writing the report

Communicating risk

Recommendations & remediation

What’s included

Everything You Need to Succeed

Each course includes the materials, hands-on practice, and support you need to learn the skills properly and walk into the exam ready.

12 Months Course Access

Full access to all course materials for 12 months. Study on any device, online 24/7. Never lose your progress.

Expert Video Lessons

Clear, on-demand video lessons covering every objective on the PT0-003 exam — learn at your own pace and rewatch as often as you like.

Hands-On Activities & Practice Tests

Guided hands-on activities using real-world pen-testing techniques, plus practice questions modelled on the real PT0-003 exam, so you build real skills and walk in knowing what to expect.

Account Manager Support

A dedicated account manager to keep you on track, answer your questions, and help you arrange your exam when you’re ready.

Help when you need it →

Certificate & Digital Badge

Complete the course and you’ll receive a Career Smarter certificate of completion and a shareable digital badge for your LinkedIn and CV. The official CompTIA PenTest+ certification itself comes from passing the exam.

Shareable & verifiable →

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not the right course? If you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling, we’ll refund you — no fuss.

Risk-free enrolment →

In practice

CompTIA PenTest+ in the Real World

Pen testers find the holes before the attackers do. See the kind of work PenTest+ trains you for.

Reconnaissance

Mapping the target before you touch it

Gathering OSINT, scanning networks, enumerating services and users. PenTest+ teaches you to build a clear picture of the attack surface — so you know exactly where to focus before you launch a single exploit.

CompTIA PenTest+ in action Thorough recon turns a sprawling, unknown environment into a prioritised list of the weak points worth testing.

Exploitation

Proving the risk is real

Network, application, wireless and social-engineering attacks. PenTest+ teaches you the exploitation techniques attackers use, so you can safely demonstrate genuine impact rather than just flagging a theoretical weakness.

CompTIA PenTest+ in action A working exploit turns “this might be vulnerable” into evidence the business can’t ignore.

Reporting

Turning findings into action

A pen test is only as good as its report. PenTest+ covers how to communicate risk clearly, prioritise findings, and give practical remediation advice — so technical and non-technical stakeholders both know what to fix first.

CompTIA PenTest+ in action A clear, well-prioritised report is what actually gets vulnerabilities fixed before someone else finds them.

Exam details

About the CompTIA PenTest+ Exam

CompTIA PenTest+ is a single exam — the current PT0-003. It’s an optional add-on here: add your exam voucher at checkout, and we’ll provide it so you can book through Pearson VUE — online with a proctor, or at a test centre — when you’re ready.

Exam
One(PT0-003)
Format
MC + performance
Questions
Up to 90
Duration
165 minutes
Result
Pass / fail
Booking
We help arrange

What to Expect on Exam Day

The CompTIA PenTest+ exam is booked and sat through Pearson VUE. You can take it online with a remote proctor, or at a local test centre — whenever you’re ready.

Booking

When you add the exams and feel ready, your account manager helps you redeem your voucher and book through Pearson VUE — online or at a test centre near you.

Equipment required

For online testing you need a laptop or desktop (not a mobile or tablet), a working webcam and microphone, a quiet private room, and a stable internet connection.

On the day

You have 165 minutes and up to 90 questions, including performance-based questions that ask you to complete real pen-testing tasks in a simulated environment — not just multiple choice.

Results

You get your result as soon as you finish, with a report showing how you did in each area. Pass and you’re CompTIA PenTest+ certified.

Rescheduling

If something comes up, you can reschedule through Pearson VUE up to 24 hours before your exam. Your account manager can help if you’re not sure how.

Student reviews

What Our Students Say

4.8

1,247 verified reviews

The majority of students pass first time, based on an internal student survey conducted in May 2026.

5★
80%
4★
15%
3★
5%
2★
0%
1★
0%
trustpilot
BEN Carter
Very approachable team to talk to set you up on your courses and a quick response to get you started soon as possible. Sandy was very helpful for me and setting me up for my course. Thank you
...
trustpilot
an iFi Audio Zen DAC
Highly recommend Career Smarter! Account manager Lanie is very responsive and always willing to help.
...
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Moby
I was looking for an AgilePM foundation course and found Career Smarter (thorough the Reed website), I requested information and received a prompt and helpful response from Lanie detailing the different options and prices etc. Lanie followed up a few days later but there was no sense of feeling pressured, nor any phone calls, just email and WhatsApp messages, giving me the time to consider the options and compare with others. I’ve now booked my course (which was easy, the website is good) which as it happens is also less expensive than other offers, and I’m encouraged by the other very positive reviews of this company.
Thank you Lanie, we haven’t spoken yet but I haven’t forgotten that you are on hand if I need further assistance.
...

Career Growth Path

Where This Certification Takes You

PenTest+ takes you from general security into dedicated offensive-security roles. See where it leads — and the certifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

Security+ or security experience

CompTIA PenTest+

£40k–£55k avg.

You are here

Penetration Tester

£45k–£65k avg.

Senior Pentester / Red Teamer

£60k–£80k avg.

Security Consultant / Lead

£70k–£95k avg.

Penetration testing is among the most in-demand cybersecurity skills
Offensive security roles are well paid and growing fast

Recommended next certifications

→ Defend as well as attack

CompTIA CySA+

See the defensive side — threat detection and SOC analysis.

£45k–£60kLearn more →
 → Go advanced

CompTIA SecurityX

The advanced, expert-level security certification (formerly CASP+).

£60k–£85kLearn more →
 → Start here if you haven’t

CompTIA Security+

The baseline security cert that underpins PenTest+.

£35k–£55kLearn more →
 → Go all-in

CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Bundle

Bundle the leading CompTIA security certs, with exams.

£45k–£70kLearn more →

Go further for less

Why stop here? Get our entire IT library.

Upgrade to the IT Certification Training Bundle and unlock 12 months’ access to our full range of CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft certification courses — dozens of certifications for one price. Add the upgrade in one click in the enrolment form below.

Explore the Bundle

Pricing

Simple, Transparent Pricing

One course, no hidden extras. Add your exam voucher at checkout when you’re ready.

Course only — right for you if…

You want to study first and buy your exam voucher later, or you already have a way to fund the exam (for example through an employer).

Course & exam — right for you if…

You want everything sorted in one go. Choose the Include Exam option below to add your official PT0-003 voucher at a discount on buying it separately.

CompTIA PenTest+ — Sale Price

£395 £195 inc. VAT Save £200

Everything you need to prepare for the PT0-003 exam. Add your official exam voucher at checkout when you’re ready.

12 Months Course Access
Study anytime, on any device, 24/7
Expert Video Lessons
Covering every exam objective
Practice Exams & Test Prep
Modelled on the real exam
Official Exam
Optional — add your voucher at checkout
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Change your mind, get a refund
Certificate & Digital Badge
On course completion — shareable & verifiable

Finance available at checkout · 14-day money-back guarantee

Pay Monthly

From £12.4/month

CAREER SMARTER LTD is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Social Money Limited t/a Payl8r who is authorised by the FCA under Ref. Number 675283. Credit is subject to creditworthiness and affordability assessments. Missed payments may affect your credit file, future borrowing and incur fees. Representative Example: £440.00 over 12 months at 2.50% fixed per month. Rep APR 65.5%. Monthly: £47.67. Total repayable: £572.04. 0% interest rate applies only where the loan is repaid in full within 3 months.

Team & Corporate

Bulk discounts available

Training 3 or more employees? Get volume pricing, a dedicated account manager, and custom reporting.

Talk to Our Team

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you enrol.

Is PenTest better than CEH?

No. PenTest+ training is more focused on penetration testing assessing and reporting the security of a specific aspect of information security. CEH has a rounded focus on ethical hacking, hacking methods and the related tools.

Can PenTest+ get you a job?

Absolutely. This is a well recognised certification internationally, offered by CompTIA. If you are looking to become a penetration tester or a related career, the PenTetst+ credential will add great credibility to your CV and chances of getting hired.

Should I get PenTest+ or CySA+?

We would recommend getting the PenTest+ or CySA+ first, as recommended by CompTIA on their cybersecurity career path. If you feel you are already at the skill level of a CySA+ then possibly that's the better choice for you. There is no reason you couldn't invest in both training courses and tackle both.

Is PenTest+ entry-level?

No. PenTest+ is not regarded as entry-level, it follows the Network+ and Security+ certifications on the CompTIA cybersecurity career path.

Start Today

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pen testing today.

Join the UK professionals who chose Career Smarter. Flexible, affordable, and built around the in-demand offensive-security certification employers trust.

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