How to Verify a CompTIA PenTest+ Certification

About PenTest+

CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002 is the current exam) covers the full penetration testing lifecycle: planning and scoping, information gathering and vulnerability scanning, attacks and exploits, reporting, and communication. It targets practitioners with 3–4 years of hands-on experience in information security.

PenTest+ is broader than OSCP (which focuses on hands-on exploitation) and more affordable than GPEN. It is the only DoD-approved penetration testing certification that covers vulnerability management alongside hands-on testing.

How to verify at verify.comptia.org

1. Go to verify.comptia.org
2. Enter the candidate's first name, last name, and email address, or their CompTIA verification code from their certificate
3. All active CompTIA certifications for that individual are displayed
4. Confirm “CompTIA PenTest+” appears with an Active status
5. Note the certification date and expiration — PenTest+ is valid for 3 years under the CE model

If the candidate has multiple CompTIA certifications (Security+, CySA+, PenTest+, CASP+), all active ones appear together in the verification result.

CE renewal requirements

PenTest+ follows CompTIA's Continuing Education (CE) program:

• 60 CEUs required within the 3-year certification period
• CEUs can come from attending security conferences, completing training, publishing articles, teaching, or passing other exams
• Alternatively, candidates can renew by retaking the current PenTest+ exam
• A higher-level CompTIA certification (CASP+) automatically renews PenTest+

PenTest+ vs. competing offensive security certifications

OSCP is broadly considered the most hands-on and rigorous of these credentials, but it is not on the DoD 8140 approved list. For federal or defense roles, PenTest+, CEH, and GPEN are the approved alternatives.

Red flags

• Not found at verify.comptia.org by name — ask for the verification code from their CompTIA certificate
• Status shows Expired — PenTest+ has a 3-year CE cycle; expired means the certification is no longer active
• Candidate lists PT0-001 (older exam version) — verify the certification is still within its 3-year validity window
• Confuses PenTest+ with OSCP or treats them as equivalent — different issuers, different verification methods, different rigor levels
• Claims PenTest+ for DoD CSSP Analyst position but certification is expired — DoD 8140 compliance requires an active, current certification

Verification checklist