Top 10 Penetration Testing Certifications
- Manisha Chaudhary
- Sep 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 26
Planning to enter the field of ethical hacking and want to stand out in the fast-growing cybersecurity job market? Here’s a comprehensive guide to the Top 10 Penetration Testing Certifications in 2025 that are most valued by employers. These certifications highlight hands-on labs, real-world attack simulations, structured reporting, and practical skill-building — helping you secure high-demand penetration testing roles. From beginner-friendly certifications like eJPT and CompTIA PenTest+ to advanced benchmarks such as OSCP and PNPT, this roadmap will help you boost credibility, refine your expertise, and confidently step into professional pentesting.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing (ethical hacking) is the process of simulating cyberattacks on applications, networks, and cloud platforms to uncover vulnerabilities before real attackers do.
A skilled penetration tester is expected to master scoping, reconnaissance, exploitation, post-exploitation, lateral movement, documentation, and client communication.
👉 In India, institutes like Craw Security deliver specialized Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking training programs that align directly with these certifications.
Top 10 Penetration Testing Certifications
1. OffSec OSCP (PEN-200)
Widely regarded as the “gold standard” in pentesting certifications. Focuses on Linux/Windows exploitation, privilege escalation, and clear report writing. Known for its 24-hour hands-on exam.
Job Roles: Junior Penetration Tester, Network Security Engineer, Ethical Hacker
Fee: $999 | Validity: 3 years | Exam: 24-hour lab + professional report
Best For: Candidates ready for their first serious practitioner-level milestone.
2. TCM Security PNPT
An end-to-end pentesting certification simulating real-world consulting. Covers scoping, OSINT, exploitation, AD attacks, reporting, and live client debriefs.
Job Roles: Penetration Tester, Red Teamer, Security Consultant
Fee: $499 | Validity: 3 years | Exam: Multi-day engagement + 48-hour report + presentation
Best For: Learners seeking consultancy-style, client-facing pentest practice.
3. CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-003)
A vendor-neutral certification covering planning, ethics, network/web/cloud pentesting, and documentation. Great as a step up from Security+.
Job Roles: Pentester, Vulnerability Assessor, IT Security Analyst
Fee: $349 | Validity: 3 years | Exam: MCQs + performance-based tasks
Best For: Entry and mid-level professionals looking for foundational lifecycle knowledge.
4. GIAC GPEN (SANS SEC560)
Methodology-driven certification focusing on password attacks, AD exploitation, pivoting, and structured reporting. Highly respected in enterprise and government sectors.
Job Roles: Senior Pentester, Security Consultant, Vulnerability Manager
Fee: $1,999 | Validity: 4 years | Exam: Proctored, knowledge-based
Best For: Professionals targeting enterprise and regulated industries.
5. INE/eLearnSecurity eJPT v2
A beginner-friendly certification testing basic network scanning, exploitation, and web/system attacks. Perfect entry point for freshers.
Job Roles: Entry-Level Pentester, Security Analyst
Fee: $199 | Validity: 3 years | Exam: Practical labs
Best For: Beginners stepping into cybersecurity.
6. EC-Council CPENT → LPT Master
Advanced-level exam testing perimeter security, AD attacks, pivoting, IoT/ICS exploitation. High scorers in CPENT automatically qualify for LPT Master, EC-Council’s elite credential.
Job Roles: Senior Pentester, Red Team Operator, Ethical Hacker
Fee: $1,199 (CPENT) / $3,500 (LPT Master) | Validity: 3 years
Exam: 24-hour practical challenge
Best For: Learners already on EC-Council’s CEH track.
7. CREST CRT (Registered Penetration Tester)
Globally respected certification, especially within the UK/EU government sector. Ensures high-quality consulting and compliance standards.
Job Roles: Pentester, Security Consultant
Fee: $1,000–$2,000 | Validity: 3 years | Exam: Practical exam
Best For: Professionals working in government or regulated industries.
8. Hack The Box CPTS
Delivered through HTB Academy, CPTS focuses on modern attack chains, AD exploitation, and highly practical labs. Excellent for hands-on learners.
Job Roles: Pentester, Red Teamer, Security Researcher
Fee: $200 | Validity: 2 years | Exam: Practical labs + reporting
Best For: Learners who prefer lab-driven, gamified paths.
9. PortSwigger Burp Suite Certified Practitioner (BSCP)
A niche certification entirely focused on web application security. Tests advanced Burp Suite usage, vulnerability chaining, and web exploitation.
Job Roles: Web Pentester, Bug Bounty Hunter, AppSec Engineer
Fee: $199 | Validity: 3 years | Exam: Web challenges under time limits
Best For: Web security specialists and bug bounty professionals.
10. INE/eLearnSecurity eCPPTv2
A mid-level certification bridging the gap between eJPT and advanced options like OSCP/PNPT. Covers network, web, pivoting, and report writing.
Job Roles: Pentester, Security Consultant, Red Team Specialist
Fee: $799 | Validity: 3 years | Exam: Practical labs + professional report
Best For: Learners advancing from beginner to professional certifications.
Best penetration testing course in India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which certification is best for beginners?
Start with eJPT v2 for fundamentals, then move to CompTIA PenTest+ before attempting OSCP or PNPT.
2. OSCP or PNPT – which comes first?
PNPT = Real client-style pentest simulation.
OSCP = Global benchmark in exploitation skills.
Choose based on whether you want hands-on engagement or global recognition first.
3. How long does it take to become job-ready?
With 8–12 hours/week, most learners reach junior pentester level in 6–9 months.
4. Do I need coding skills?
Yes, basics in Python or Bash are helpful. You can learn coding alongside certification prep.
5. Is BSCP only for web pentesters?
Yes — it’s specifically designed for web app security and bug bounty hunters.
6. Which certs matter for government/regulatory roles?
GIAC GPEN and CREST CRT are highly recognized in compliance-heavy industries.
7. Can I skip PenTest+ and go straight to OSCP?
Yes, but PenTest+ helps build strong lifecycle methodology before advanced exams.
8. Does Craw Security provide mentorship for these exams?
Yes — with labs, mock tests, reporting practice, and mentorship mapped to eJPT, OSCP, PNPT, GPEN, BSCP, and CRT.
9. Do I need expensive hardware?
No — most labs run on modest setups or cloud-based virtual machines.
10. Can Craw Security help design my certification path?
Absolutely. Career counselors at Craw Security create tailored learning roadmaps based on your career goals.
Conclusion
Breaking into penetration testing requires a structured learning journey. Start small with eJPT or PenTest+, then move to OSCP or PNPT as your major milestones. Later, specialize in areas like web testing (BSCP) or enterprise pentesting (GPEN/CRT).
Hands-on labs, effective reporting, and continuous practice are the real keys to success. For learners in India, Craw Security offers one of the best platforms for training, mentorship, and practical pentesting exposure.
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