If you’re ready to take your cybersecurity career to the offensive side—testing defenses rather than just building them—CompTIA PenTest+ offers a direct, hands-on path into penetration testing and red teaming.
PenTest+ is a performance-based, vendor-neutral certification designed to validate your ability to assess vulnerabilities, exploit weaknesses ethically, and communicate your findings to leadership and development teams.
For those looking to build or expand their ethical hacking toolkit, PenTest+ delivers a strong return on investment through practical skills, job market credibility, and a smooth transition into offensive security roles.
What PenTest+ Covers—and Why It Stands Out
PenTest+ proves that you can:
- Conduct authorized penetration tests and vulnerability assessments
- Exploit and document system weaknesses across web, wireless, cloud, and on-prem environments
- Work with tools like Metasploit, Nmap, Burp Suite, and Wireshark
- Understand engagement rules, scoping, reporting, and legal boundaries
- Collaborate with blue teams, developers, and leadership on remediation
It’s not just about scanning and exploiting—it’s about testing with purpose, communicating clearly, and reducing organizational risk.
Financial ROI: From Analyst to Ethical Hacker
PenTest+ prepares you for titles such as:
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Penetration Tester
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Vulnerability Analyst
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Red Team Operator
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Application Security Analyst
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Security Consultant
These roles often pay $90,000 to $130,000+, with demand growing fast in industries like defense, finance, and tech.
If you’ve earned Security+ or CySA+, PenTest+ helps you pivot into offensive operations and threat simulation—a growing and exciting specialty in cybersecurity.
Built for Real-World Testing Roles
PenTest+ is trusted by employers because it’s:
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Performance-based, testing your actual offensive security skills
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DoD 8570/8140 approved, making it valid for government and defense roles
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Mapped to NICE 2.0 roles like Cyber Operator and Exploitation Analyst
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Vendor-neutral, preparing you for multi-platform environments
It’s also an excellent complement to CEH, especially for professionals who want to validate their hands-on penetration testing ability alongside CEH’s broad ethical hacking framework.
PenTest+ and CEH: A Powerful Red Team Combo
While CEH is one of the most globally recognized offensive security certifications—and a leading program we proudly offer—PenTest+ offers another layer of validation, especially for those seeking performance-based, hands-on credentialing.
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CEH gives you deep coverage of tactics, techniques, and tools across the entire ethical hacking lifecycle.
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PenTest+ reinforces your ability to execute and document penetration tests in real-world scenarios.
Together, they form a well-rounded and highly respected offensive security foundation—one that hiring managers notice and value.
Free PenTest+ Webinar with Eric Reed
Curious how PenTest+ fits into your red team or ethical hacking journey?
Join our FREE live webinar to learn:
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What’s on the PenTest+ exam
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How it compares to CEH (and how they complement each other)
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What job roles, salaries, and industries it aligns with
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FastTrack prep and study tips for passing the exam with confidence
Whether you’re pivoting from blue team roles or expanding your offensive security skills, this session will help you plan your next move with clarity.
Conclusion: Real Tools. Real Skills. Real Career Growth.
CompTIA PenTest+ delivers real-world value for professionals serious about offensive cybersecurity.
Whether used alongside CEH or as a stepping stone into hands-on red team work, PenTest+ proves that you can ethically test systems, find weaknesses, and improve security from the inside out.
Get trained. Get certified. Start your offensive security journey with PenTest+.
Register now for Eric Reed’s free PenTest+ webinar and take the next step toward becoming a skilled and trusted ethical hacker.