OSCP
OSCP
Offensive Security Certified Professional
Offensive Security
Hands-on penetration testing certification focused on identifying vulnerabilities and exploiting them in controlled lab environments.
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Explore job families and certification issuers — two ways to map credentials to your path.
Penetration Tester
Simulates real attacks to find exploitable weaknesses and produce remediation reports.
Roles in this job family
Junior Penetration Tester
JuniorRuns scoped tests, documents findings, and pairs with seniors.
Senior Penetration Tester
SeniorLeads engagements, chains exploits, and presents to executives.
Related certifications
PenTest+
PenTest+
CompTIA PenTest+
CompTIA
Intermediate penetration testing certification covering planning, scanning, exploitation, and reporting.
eJPT
eJPT
eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester
INE / eLearnSecurity
Entry-level pentest credential validating reconnaissance, exploitation basics, and report writing in lab environments.
PNPT
PNPT
Practical Network Penetration Tester
TCM Security
Practical pentest exam with report writing; popular career bridge before OSCP.
CEH
CEH
Certified Ethical Hacker
EC-Council
Ethical hacking certification covering reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and post-exploitation techniques from an attacker mindset.
OSWE
OSWE
Offensive Security Web Expert
Offensive Security
Advanced web application penetration testing exam focused on white-box review, custom exploits, and complex app logic bypasses.
OSEP
OSEP
Offensive Security Experienced Penetration Tester
Offensive Security
Advanced red-team style exam emphasizing evasion, Active Directory attack chains, and operational tradecraft beyond OSCP.
CCT INF
CCT INF
CREST Certified Tester — Infrastructure
CREST
Advanced CREST qualification for infrastructure penetration testing: network and operating-system layer assessment, report writing, and hands-on exploitation. Recognized for UK NCSC CHECK and equivalent to roughly 5–6 years of pentest experience.
GPEN
GPEN
GIAC Penetration Tester
GIAC / SANS
Penetration testing certification validating skills in scoping engagements, executing attacks, and reporting actionable findings.
LPT
LPT
Licensed Penetration Tester Master
EC-Council
Elite EC-Council practical license for senior pentesters; often earned via exceptional CPENT performance or dedicated LPT track.
CCT
CCT
CREST Certified Tester
CREST
UK/EU-recognized practical penetration testing exam for consultants delivering CREST-accredited client engagements.
CRTO
CRTO
Certified Red Team Operator
Zero Point Security
Red team operations certification covering C2 tradecraft, evasion, and adversary simulation beyond pure AD exploitation.
OSED
OSED
Offensive Security Exploit Developer
Offensive Security
Advanced Windows exploit development (EXP-401) — stack overflows, DEP/ASLR bypass, and custom shellcode for senior offensive researchers.
OSED
OSED
Offensive Security Exploit Developer
Offensive Security
Offensive Security Exploit Developer — professional certification mapped from the Paul Jerimy security certification roadmap.
GWAPT
GWAPT
GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester
GIAC / SANS
Deep web application security testing certification covering authentication, session management, and modern app attack surfaces.
CPENT
CPENT
Certified Penetration Testing Professional
EC-Council
Advanced 24-hour practical penetration test simulating multi-segment enterprise networks, AD, and evasion techniques.
CPTS
CPTS
HTB Certified Penetration Testing Specialist
Hack The Box
Practical penetration testing certification built on Hack The Box Academy labs and a multi-machine capstone exam.
BSCP
BSCP
Burp Suite Certified Practitioner
PortSwigger
Web application security exam proving ability to find and exploit vulnerabilities using Burp Suite in timed practical scenarios.
CRT
CRT
CREST Registered Tester
CREST
UK/EU recognized practical penetration testing qualification — common prerequisite before CREST CCT in consulting firms.
S-EHL
S-EHL
SECO Ethical Hacking Leader
SECO Institute
Top tier of the SECO ethical hacking track for experienced professionals: requires expert-level knowledge (S-EHE or equivalent such as OSCP) plus at least three years of relevant work experience. Focus on leadership, complex engagements, and continuous professional development.