PenTest+ for people who already test: is PT0-003 worth sitting, and how to prepare
PenTest+ PT0-003 takes a CompTIA voucher that costs $439 in the US, or $579 with a retake (November 2026). A first attempt costs $593 with CompTIA's practice bundle and up to $3,734 with a live virtual class plus the voucher. PT0-003 is the current version: PT0-002 retired June 17, 2025, and CompTIA estimates PT0-003 retires in 2027. If you test for a living, we estimate 8 to 12 weeks of evening study.
Key facts
- CompTIA sells the PenTest+ voucher for $439 in the US, or $579 with Retake Assurance. (CompTIA, checked November 5, 2026)
- PT0-003 launched December 17, 2024; the previous exam retired June 17, 2025, and CompTIA estimates PT0-003 retires in 2027. (CompTIA, checked November 5, 2026)
- PT0-003 has up to 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions in 165 minutes, with a passing score of 750 on a 100 to 900 scale. (CompTIA, checked November 5, 2026)
- Renewing by continuing education costs a $150 CompTIA fee for each three-year period. (CompTIA, checked November 5, 2026)
The tester PenTest+ is written for
CompTIA says PenTest+ validates your ability to identify, mitigate and report system vulnerabilities across attack surfaces such as cloud, web apps, APIs and IoT. The exam covers a whole engagement, not only exploitation: rules of engagement, legal authorization and reports sit beside reconnaissance, vulnerability scanning, attacks and lateral movement. Attacks and exploits carry the largest weight, and the current objectives include prompt injection against AI systems. The exam is multiple choice plus performance-based questions, so it tests judgment about tools and steps rather than a live compromise of a lab network.
A good fit if
- You run penetration tests or vulnerability assessments and want a credential that names that work
- You hold Security+ and already do offensive work
- You want a test of scoping, rules of engagement and reporting as well as attack techniques
Think twice if
- You have not yet worked in security: CompTIA recommends 3 to 4 years in a penetration tester role
- You want a fully hands-on exam where you compromise machines against the clock
- Your work is defensive, such as alert triage and incident response
Consider instead: Security+ if you are earlier in security, OSCP for a hands-on practical exam, CEH if an employer names it, or CySA+ for defensive analyst work.
PT0-003 in detail
CompTIA sets no eligibility requirement. Its recommended experience is 3 to 4 years in a penetration tester job role, with Network+ and Security+ or equivalent knowledge. The exam allows 165 minutes for up to 90 questions, passes at 750 on a 100 to 900 scale, and is offered in English, French, Japanese and Portuguese. CompTIA's voucher listing names both PT0-002 and PT0-003, but PT0-002 retired on June 17, 2025, so PT0-003 is the only exam you can book. CompTIA estimates PT0-003 retires in 2027, so if you will test late in 2027, check the exam code before you buy study material.
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Engagement management | 13% |
| Reconnaissance and enumeration | 21% |
| Vulnerability discovery and analysis | 17% |
| Attacks and exploits | 35% |
| Post-exploitation and lateral movement | 14% |
Ways to prepare for PT0-003
- CompTIA CertMaster. CertMaster Practice ($209) suits experienced testers who need to find gaps. CertMaster Learn ($599) is the full self-paced course, and CertMaster Perform ($709) adds hands-on labs with instruction. CertMaster Labs alone costs $199.
- Your own lab. If you already test, your daily tools and a home lab cover much of the attacks domain; spend the study time on scoping, legal authorization and reporting, which sit in the engagement management domain (13%).
- Instructor-led class. New Horizons and Learning Tree run five-day PT0-003 classes. They suit employer-funded learners and teams who want a set week and an instructor to answer tool questions.
Free material for PT0-003 is thin: every course we read, from CompTIA, New Horizons and Learning Tree, is paid, so the cheapest structured route is a CompTIA product.
Five PenTest+ routes priced
Four of these five prices already cover the exam. The exception is New Horizons, where the $439 voucher is an add-on at checkout. Because the three CompTIA bundles carry Retake Assurance, a second attempt is already paid for on those routes.
| Route | Provider and course | Published price | Exam fee | First attempt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice tests with voucher | CompTIA, PenTest+ Practice and Exam Bundle with Retake: CertMaster Practice plus a voucher with Retake Assurance (PT0-003) (prices in the Buy now panel). Checked November 5, 2026. | $593 | Included | $593 |
| Official e-learning with voucher | CompTIA, PenTest+ Learn and Exam Bundle with Retake: CertMaster Learn plus a voucher with Retake Assurance (PT0-003) (prices in the Buy now panel). Checked November 5, 2026. | $884 | Included | $884 |
| Labs, practice and voucher | CompTIA, PenTest+ Complete Bundle with Retake: CertMaster Perform and Practice plus a voucher with Retake Assurance (PT0-003) (prices in the Buy now panel). Checked November 5, 2026. | $1,058 | Included | $1,058 |
| Live virtual, 5 days | New Horizons, CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-003), virtual instructor-led; the exam voucher is a $439 add-on. Checked November 5, 2026. | $3,295 | + $439 voucher | $3,734 |
| Live class with voucher, 5 days | Learning Tree, CompTIA PenTest+ training, commercial price, exam voucher included; its page spells the exam code PTO-003. Checked November 5, 2026. | $3,455 | Included | $3,455 |
What the totals leave out: testers who skip the bundles and buy a single $439 voucher pay that amount again after a fail, against $579 up front for the retake version. CompTIA gives 12 months to redeem any bundle, so do not buy one long before you plan to sit. Keeping PenTest+ adds a $150 continuing-education fee per three-year cycle.
Before you book a PenTest+ class
- The exam code is PT0-003. Learning Tree's page writes it as PTO-003 and mentions PT0-002 elsewhere on the page, so confirm the materials and voucher are for PT0-003.
- Who supplies the voucher. Learning Tree includes one in its tuition; New Horizons sells it as a $439 add-on. Ask whether either includes a retake.
- Session status. New Horizons marks its listed virtual sessions as guaranteed to run; for other providers, ask whether your date is confirmed.
- Lab access after class. Ask how long you keep the lab environment; practice after the class week matters more for the performance-based questions than the lectures.
Renewing PenTest+
PenTest+ runs on a three-year renewal cycle. Renewing by continuing education takes 60 CEUs earned in that cycle and the $150 CompTIA fee. If you hold several CompTIA certifications, CompTIA says you pay CE fees only for your highest-level one when renewing it also renews the others; ask CompTIA whether that applies to your set.
Questions people ask about PenTest+
- How much is the PenTest+ exam?
- $439 for a CompTIA voucher in the US as of November 2026, or $579 with Retake Assurance.
- Is PT0-002 still available?
- No. It retired June 17, 2025. PT0-003 is the current exam.
- PenTest+ or OSCP?
- PenTest+ is a 165-minute question-based exam covering the whole engagement, including reporting. OSCP is a long hands-on exam where you attack machines; see our OSCP page for its format and costs.
- Do I need Security+ first?
- It is not required. CompTIA recommends Network+ and Security+ or equivalent knowledge plus 3 to 4 years of testing experience.
Next step
If you are choosing between PenTest+, OSCP and a class, send us your experience and budget.
Ask for help choosing PenTest+ training
Sources
- CompTIA: PenTest+ V3 (PT0-003) exam details, voucher and bundle prices, checked November 5, 2026
- CompTIA: continuing education renewal fees, checked November 5, 2026
- CompTIA: CEUs required for each certification, checked November 5, 2026
- New Horizons: CompTIA PenTest+ course and voucher add-on, checked November 5, 2026
- Learning Tree: CompTIA PenTest+ training, checked November 5, 2026
Prices are published list prices we recorded on the dates shown, not quotes. How we research.