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Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.

CREST · professional
CREST CRT
CREST Registered Penetration Tester

The CREST Registered Penetration Tester is a practical, UK-oriented certification that has established itself as an important industry standard for penetration testers, particularly in the UK market and for organizations with CHECK requirements. Unlike purely theory-based certifications, the CRT exam includes a technical, partially practical component in a controlled test environment. The combination of multiple-choice, flags, and short answers distinguishes CRT from pure CTF formats like OSCP. Outside the UK and Australia, market penetration is limited; internationally, OSCP is significantly better known. However, for testers seeking to work in the UK public sector or at CREST-accredited firms, CRT is effectively mandatory.

Official page

Cost

Exam fee
CREST CRT$700
Annual maintenance fee
CREST CRT
3-year cost of ownership
CREST CRT$700

Exam mechanics

Pass mark
CREST CRT
Retake policy
CREST CRT$750 fee · 30d wait
Study time
CREST CRT200–400 hrs
Validity
CREST CRT3 yrs
CPE / yr
CREST CRT
Delivery
CREST CRTtest center

Salary signal (US base)

Range
CREST CRT
Median
CREST CRT
Premium %
CREST CRT
Role context
CREST CRT

Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)

Schema quality
CREST CRT8.0
Practice evidence
CREST CRT7.5
Maintenance
CREST CRT7.0
Market recognition
CREST CRT6.5
Average
CREST CRT7.3

Recognition & lifecycle

Recognition
CREST CRTUK · EU · Global
ISO 17024 accredited
CREST CRT
DoD 8140 baseline
CREST CRT
Holders worldwide
CREST CRT
Current version
CREST CRT

Domain coverage

A9Penetration Testing & Red Teaming
CREST CRT● core

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