Pentesting is critical for identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening an organization's defenses. As cyber threats grow in complexity, the demand for skilled pen testers who can tackle real-world challenges is on the rise.
CompTIA PenTest+ will certify the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to plan and scope a penetration testing engagement within compliance requirements, conduct enumeration and reconnaissance activities, analyze vulnerabilities, launch attacks, exfiltrate data and produce a written report with remediation techniques.
PenTest+ PT0-003 is recommended for test takers looking to prove their mastery of pentesting skills required at the 3- to 4-year experience level.
Job roles aligned with CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-003
Primary | Secondary |
Security Consultant | Web App Penetration Tester Information Security Engineer |
PenTest+ PT0-003 will continue to be approved for the same U.S. DoD Directive 8140.03M work roles as the previous version, PT0-002.
Exploitation Analyst
Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst
To view approved work roles, click here. For more information on 8140, click here.
CompTIA PenTest+ 002 vs. 003: What are the updates?
Previous exam vs. new exam comparison
The exam objectives were rearranged in the new version to better align with the stages of penetration testing, and the domain titles were renamed to better reflect the related tasks. See the exam domain comparison table below:
Communication and reporting are now taught at the beginning, which involved moving parts of the previous Domain 5 Reporting and Communication to Domain 1 Engagement Management in the new version and renaming Planning and Scoping to Engagement Management to better reflect the wider aspect of the tasks.
The previous Domain 2 Information Gathering and Vulnerability has been split into two domains in the new version, Domain 2 Reconnaissance and Enumeration and Domain 3 Vulnerability Discover and Analysis.
The previous Domain 3 Attacks and Exploits remains similar but was renumbered to Domain 4. The various tools used for attacks are included from the previous Domain 5 Tools and Code Analysis.
The new version includes Domain 5 Post-exploitation and Lateral Movement to emphasize the importance of these tasks. It includes portions of the previous Domain 3 Attacks and Exploits and Domain 5 Tools and Code Analysis.
Exam domain comparison
PT0-003 Exam Domains | PT0-002 Equivalency |
1.0 Engagement Management 13% | 1.0 Planning and Scoping 4.0 Reporting and Communication |
2.0 Reconnaissance and Enumeration 21% | 2.0 Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning |
3.0 Vulnerability Discovery and Analysis 17% | 2.0 Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning |
4.0 Attacks and Exploits 35% | 3.0 Attacks and Exploits 5.0 Tools and Code Analysis |
5.0 Post-exploitation and Lateral Movement 14% | 3.0 Attacks and Exploits 5.0 Tools and Code Analysis |
Knowledge and skills gained with CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-003
The CompTIA PenTest+ certification exam will certify the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to:
Plan, scope, and perform information gathering as part of a penetration test
Perform attacks that are aligned to and fulfill legal and compliance requirements
Perform each phase of a penetration test using and modifying appropriate tools and using the appropriate tactics, techniques, and procedures
Analyze the results of each phase of a penetration test to develop a written report, effectively communicate findings to stakeholders and provide practical recommendations
Demonstrate key pentesting skills for all attack surfaces, including the cloud, web apps, APIs, IoT, on-premises and hybrid network environments
How CompTIA PenTest+ evolves with industry needs
Demonstrate competency of current trends: Unlike other penetration testing exams that only cover a portion of stages, CompTIA PenTest+ uses both performance-based and knowledge-based questions to ensure all stages are mastered.
Prove learners know the latest techniques: CompTIA PenTest+ is the only product on the market covering artificial intelligence (AI), hands-on inventory, scanning and analysis, attacks, lateral movement, as well as planning, scoping, and vulnerability management.
Training solutions available for CompTIA PenTest+
Products available:
CertMaster Perform
CertMaster Learn
CertMaster Labs
CertMaster Practice
Instructor and Student eBooks
Main highlight – CertMaster Perform:
CertMaster Perform for PenTest+ brings together narrative instructional content, videos, performance-based questions (PBQs), skills assessments, live and simulated labs and more to offer a comprehensive learning experience to prepare candidates for their CompTIA certification exam and validate their expertise in penetration testing and security consulting. Here’s how and why:Instruction is centered around a learning progression model to help students learn concepts and actively build skills related to the course objectives. This learning methodology uses a series of steps to contextualize the material, elaborate on areas where additional instruction is needed, and provide relevance through practice and customized feedback. The course is broken into modules and lessons, and different activities throughout the course take learning to the next level by providing hands-on skills practice and personalized instruction. Videos are integrated into the text to provide instruction and illustration at the point where it's the most relevant. A variety of assessments are included throughout the course, including pre-assessments, module quizzes, and a certification practice test.
To ensure real-world tasks are completed, CertMaster Perform includes lab activities in live and simulated environments for hands-on practice using real networks with virtualized tools.
Prepare candidates for real-world pentesting challenges
PenTest+ empowers candidates to become valuable assets in the fight against cybercrime. Through comprehensive training and hands-on experience, they gain the confidence and expertise needed to help protect organizations from emerging threats.Investing in the development of skilled pen testers not only enhances an organization's security but also contributes to the broader cybersecurity community's efforts to create a safer digital world.
Learn more about CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-003
If you’re interested in discovering more about the new CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-003, reach out to your CompTIA Account Representative and Customer Success Manager.