CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-003) Online Training

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UPDATED: April 10, 2025

Beginner

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In this PenTest+ course, cybersecurity expert Bob Salmas guides you through simulating real-world cyberattacks, uncovering network vulnerabilities, and sharpening your ethical hacking skills. Once you complete this course, you’ll be prepared to pass the PenTest+ PT0-003 exam with confidence. This PenTest+ training is ideal for junior cybersecurity pros ready to advance or seasoned pentesters looking to validate their skills. You’ll practice modern penetration testing techniques in realistic virtual labs, document your findings in industry-standard reports, and prepare for exam day with unlimited PenTest+ practice tests.

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What you'll learn with PenTest+ training

Identifying exploitable weaknesses in systems by performing vulnerability scans
Executing real-world penetration testing strategies with industry-standard tools
Documenting findings in reports that meet compliance and regulatory standards
Refining scripting and automation skills to make penetration tests more efficient
Performing risk assessments to identify security threats and potential exploits
Developing incident response strategies and mitigating security breaches during penetration tests

PenTest+ training FAQs

Is PenTest+ harder than CySA+?

It's tough to say whether PenTest+ or CySA+ is harder, since they deal with different aspects of cybersecurity, and they both depend on background and skill set. PenTest+ focuses on offensive security and would be hard for someone who didn't have practical experience with proactive cybersecurity measures. CySA+ emphasizes defensive security and would be a challenge for someone without a background in analytical tasks or incident response.

What is the difference between Comptia PenTest+ and CySA?

PenTest+ and CySA+ both cover skills in cybersecurity, but PenTest+ is mostly focused on offensive security and CySA+ is focused on defensive cybersecurity. PenTest+ teaches ethical hacking, vulnerability exploitation and penetration testing methods. CySA+ covers threat detection, incident response, and system hardening. PenTest+ is great for aspiring red team roles and ethical hackers – CySA+ is good for professionals in blue team roles, SOC analysts, or someone managing cybersecurity defense strategies.

Is the PenTest+ worth it?

PenTest+ is a big commitment of time and effort, and it's worth it for IT professionals who want certain things from their careers. If you already know you want to work in ethical hacking, penetration testing, or offensive security, the PenTest+ is worth it because it validates practical and hands-on skills in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in a network. The PenTest+ isn't as advanced as other offensive security certs, but it offers a well-rounded foundation in pen testing and is vendor-neutral, which makes it applicable in a wide range of environments.

Do I need Security+ if I have PenTest+?

Security+ is an earlier, less advanced certification compared to PenTest+, so if you're able to pass the PenTest+ exam, you might not benefit from going back for Security+. That said, CompTIA strongly recommends having the Network+, Security+, or both, before attempting the PenTest+, and at least three years of work experience in offensive security. So if you're experienced and trained and ready to move on to advanced offensive security techniques, you can go straight to the PenTest+. But the Security+ is a great way to get your feet under you first.

Who should earn the PenTest+?

IT professionals who know they want to work as ethical hackers, penetration testers, or find work doing red team operations are the ideal audience for this PenTest+ course and the certification. This course takes your foundational knowledge in cybersecurity and practical experience with security tools and puts them into practice in deliberate, forward-looking, proactive ways. Network administrators, security analysts, and aspiring offensive security specialists benefit the most from this course and the PenTest+ certification.

Who is PenTest+ training for?

This CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-003) training is considered professional-level CompTIA training, which means it was designed for penetration testers. This penetration testing skills course is designed for penetration testers with three to five years of experience with penetration testing.

What our learners say

It feels like the best and the brightest people are training with you — and they are just hanging out with you and showing you the ropes.
John McCann | IT manager and CBT Nuggets learner
You constantly have to invest in training for your people.
Rick N. | CEO
This is the gold standard of video training. You always hear in grade school or college that the best teachers are the ones who are passionate in their field. The CBT Nuggets team are extremely passionate and get you motivated for the material.
Michael J. | IS&T Major Incident Manager

Study guide

Download the free PenTest+ study guide to complete this course in about 32 hours.

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Topics related to PenTest+ training

CompTIA