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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.

GIAC / SANS · professional
GPEN
GIAC Penetration Tester

Penetration testing methodology + documentation.

Official page

› Cost

Exam fee
GPEN$979
Annual maintenance fee
GPEN—
3-year cost of ownership
GPEN$979

› Exam mechanics

Pass mark
GPEN75% (scaled per attempt)
Retake policy
GPEN$999 fee · 30d wait
Study time
GPEN100–200 hrs
Validity
GPEN4 yrs
CPE / yr
GPEN9 CPEs
Delivery
GPENonline proctored

› Salary signal (US base)

Range
GPEN$115K – $175K
Median
GPEN$140,000
Premium %
GPEN—
Role context
GPENPenetration tester, US, 3-5 years.

› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)

Schema quality
GPEN8.5
Practice evidence
GPEN6.5
Maintenance
GPEN7.0
Market recognition
GPEN6.5
Average
GPEN7.1

› Recognition & lifecycle

Recognition
GPENGlobal · US · EU · UK
ISO 17024 accredited
GPEN✓
DoD 8140 baseline
GPEN—
Holders worldwide
GPEN10,000
Current version
GPEN2024 SEC560 refresh (2024-04)

› Domain coverage

A2Network Security
GPEN● core
A4Application Security
GPEN○ touched
A6Identity & Access Management
GPEN○ touched
A9Penetration Testing & Red Teaming
GPEN● core

Browse the full catalog or open any one of these on its detail page for full study materials, peer comparisons, and lifecycle notes.

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