CompTIA PenTest+
Hands-on penetration testing certification covering planning, scoping, vulnerability scanning, and reporting.
Full guide →PMI-ACP
PMI's agile certification covering Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and SAFe — ideal for PMs transitioning to agile delivery.
Full guide →CompTIA PenTest+ vs PMI-ACP
Which certification is right for your career?
Full comparison
| Category | CompTIA PenTest+ | PMI-ACP |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | ✓$404 USD | $495 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | +$14,000/yr | ✓+$15,000/yr |
| Passing score | 750/1000 | 70/1000 |
| Exam duration | 165 min | 180 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | CompTIA | PMI |
| Difficulty |
CompTIA PenTest+
Network+, Security+, or 3-4 years hands-on experience
PMI-ACP
2,000 hours general project experience + 1,500 hours agile experience + 21 hours agile education
- You have 2–4 years in security and want to specialise your role
- You want a potential +$14,000/yr salary uplift
- You're drawn to offensive security, ethical hacking, or red-team work
- You have PM experience and want to formalise agile or multi-methodology skills
- You want a potential +$15,000/yr salary uplift
- You manage delivery across Scrum, Kanban, Lean, or SAFe environments
CompTIA PenTest+ and PMI-ACP lead to entirely different careers — cybersecurity vs project management. The right choice depends on which field aligns with your current job or target role. If you want both eventually, start with CompTIA PenTest+ — it's the quicker win at the intermediate level.
Best CompTIA PenTest+ courses
Best PMI-ACP courses
Is CompTIA PenTest+ harder than PMI-ACP?
Both CompTIA PenTest+ and PMI-ACP are rated intermediate difficulty.
Which pays more — CompTIA PenTest+ or PMI-ACP?
CompTIA PenTest+ has an average salary uplift of +$14,000/yr, while PMI-ACP has +$15,000/yr. PMI-ACP has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — CompTIA PenTest+ or PMI-ACP?
CompTIA PenTest+ is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward PMI-ACP.
Can I get both CompTIA PenTest+ and PMI-ACP?
Yes — many professionals hold both. CompTIA PenTest+ and PMI-ACP complement each other, covering cybersecurity and project management respectively. Holding both signals broader expertise and typically commands a higher salary than either cert alone.
Which is worth it in 2026 — CompTIA PenTest+ or PMI-ACP?
Both are worth it in 2026. CompTIA PenTest+ offers a +$14,000/yr average salary uplift; PMI-ACP offers +$15,000/yr. PMI-ACP has the higher salary ceiling — making it the stronger ROI if you can only choose one.