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Cert Atlas

GPEN

GIAC Penetration Tester

Offensive Intermediate GIAC
Target job title
Penetration Tester
Level
Intermediate. Assumes fundamentals and some hands-on time; typical first-job or first-promotion certs.
Prerequisites
None formal. SANS SEC560 is the aligned course.
Official page
GIAC

Recent updates

Proctored exam that includes CyberLive hands-on questions. Renewal every 4 years.

Reviewed 2026-10-02. Confirm exam details on the official page before booking.

Where it sits in Offensive Security

  1. Entry CRTA CEH OSWP eJPT TryHackMe PT1 HackTheBox CJCA
  2. Intermediate OSCP HackTheBox CPTS CRTP OSWA CompTIA PenTest+ eCPPT TCM PNPT HackTheBox CWES CRTO BSCP GPEN CARTP
  3. Advanced CRTE OSEP OSED OSAI HackTheBox CAPE TryHackMe PT2 OSWE
  4. Expert HackTheBox COAE CRTL OSEE HackTheBox CWEE

Natural next steps: CRTE, OSEP, OSED, OSAI.

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