If you want a single number for the oscp exam cost in 2026, it sits between roughly $1,699 and $2,749 for most new candidates, depending on how much PEN-200 training and lab time you bundle with your exam attempts. The floor is the standalone OSCP+ exam at $1,699 (two attempts, no course or labs); the most common “exam plus training” spend lands in the $1,749–$2,749 range. That single sentence answers the search, but it hides the real decision: you are not just buying an exam, you are buying a mix of course content, lab hours, and retake insurance, and the cheapest sticker price is often the most expensive path to a passing result.
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OSCP exam cost in 2026: the short answer
OffSec has rebranded the modern exam path as OSCP+, and what you pay depends entirely on how much of the ecosystem you bundle with your exam attempts. The headline numbers, in USD, break down cleanly:
| Package | Price (USD) | Exam attempts | Lab access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standalone OSCP+ exam | $1,699 | 2 | None |
| PEN-200 Course + Cert Bundle | ~$1,749 | 1 | 90 days |
| Learn One (PEN-200 path) | $2,749/yr | 2 | 365 days |
| Learn Unlimited | ~$6,099/yr | Unlimited | Multi-course |
From a pure oscp exam cost angle, the direct minimum for a new candidate who wants only the exam and no training is $1,699. The most common “exam plus training” spend sits between $1,749 and $2,749. Existing OSCP holders upgrading to OSCP+ can pay as little as $199 during OffSec’s promotional recertification window, though that number rises sharply once the window closes.
The important nuance is that the same certification is reachable through very different financial and time commitments. A cheaper entry price often means you shoulder more preparation risk yourself; a higher price usually buys you time, retakes, and structured lab practice. If you already know the exam path fits your skills, our OSCP Exam Support Services let you pair your chosen OffSec package with mentor-guided preparation so the money you spend converts into a pass rather than a retake.
What you are actually buying when you pay for the OSCP
The OSCP is anchored to OffSec’s PEN-200: Penetration Testing with Kali Linux, a course built around practical exploitation, privilege escalation, and reporting skills aligned to the 24-hour practical exam. When you pay OffSec, you are typically buying three tightly linked components rather than a single test.
- Course content (PEN-200) — self-paced modules, videos, and exercises that mirror the skills tested on the exam.
- Hands-on labs — virtual environments where you attack real systems, which matters because the exam is fully practical rather than multiple choice.
- Exam attempts — your actual 24-hour OSCP+ sessions, plus any bundled retakes.
The way these three pieces are packaged is what moves the price. In the Course + Cert Bundle you receive PEN-200 content, about 90 days of lab access, and a single exam attempt — enough for a focused learner committing to an intensive three-month sprint. In Learn One you are buying extended time: 12 months of course and lab access, Proving Grounds Practice, and two exam attempts, which gives you far more room to balance study against a full-time job.
Existing OSCP holders sit in a separate lane. There is a dedicated OSCP+ recertification exam priced at $199 during the promotional window (Nov 1, 2024–Mar 31, 2025) and $799 afterwards. That path grants one recertification attempt, and any further attempts revert to the regular exam price.
The four OSCP pricing paths and how each one works
Understanding oscp exam cost means recognizing that the same exam can be reached through four different commitments of money and time.
Standalone OSCP+ exam ($1,699, two attempts). This is aimed at candidates who already hold strong skills or separate training and want only the certification. You pay once and receive two exam attempts, with no PEN-200 course or labs bundled. The upside is a lower total price if you already know how to pass; the downside is that every hour of preparation must come from somewhere else.
Course + Cert Bundle (~$1,749, one attempt, 90 days labs). A middle ground: PEN-200 plus roughly three months of lab access and one OSCP+ attempt. It favors learners who can commit to a tight preparation window and who want official material without paying for a full year of access. The catch is the single attempt — one failure and you are into retake territory.
Learn One subscription ($2,749/year, two attempts, 365 days labs). OffSec’s flagship subscription buys one course track (such as PEN-200) with a full year of labs, Proving Grounds Practice, and two exam attempts. It is the most common choice for professionals studying alongside a full-time job because it removes the pressure of squeezing everything into 90 days.
Learn Unlimited (~$6,099/year, unlimited attempts). Built for organizations or heavy users, one annual fee unlocks broad access to multiple courses and unlimited exam attempts — useful for teams certifying several internal pentesters. For a single individual focused only on OSCP, it is usually overkill unless an employer is covering it.
Midway through this decision, many candidates realize they need to compress study time while keeping failure risk low. That is the point where pairing an official OffSec package with our mentor-backed OSCP Exam Support Services becomes worthwhile — we specialize in fast, structured preparation and instant delivery for OSCP and other offensive certifications, built for professionals who cannot afford a failed attempt and another retake fee. If you want to compare the wider offensive-security ladder, our guide to the CPTS certification shows how the HTB pentest path lines up alongside OffSec.
Hidden costs and risks behind the headline price
The visible price tag is only part of your total investment. Several less obvious costs shape what OSCP really takes from your wallet and calendar.
Retake fees. If you fail and have no included retake, you typically pay around $249 for each additional attempt. That is modest next to the full exam price, but multiple failures stack into hundreds of dollars fast.
Time and opportunity cost. Candidate journey guides estimate 300–500 hours of study for many first-time OSCP takers, especially those coming from limited practical experience. Those hours compete directly with your job, family, and other learning, and they routinely stretch across several months.
Recertification risk for existing holders. The $199 OSCP+ recert price only applies between Nov 1, 2024 and Mar 31, 2025; after that, it climbs to $799. Fail the recert and subsequent attempts are charged at the higher price even inside the promotional period — real financial pressure on experienced professionals who delay or rush the upgrade.
Regional pricing and reseller variation. Authorized partners sometimes sell Learn One or bundles with regional pricing that shifts your effective cost by roughly 10–15% depending on country. That can work in your favor, but it also means reading the fine print on included attempts and lab time so you neither under-buy nor overpay.
For most candidates, the largest hidden cost is failing once and then discovering they needed clearer structure and targeted practice before the next $249 or $1,699 attempt. This is exactly where front-loaded, mentor-supported preparation earns its keep. Ready to move faster? Our OSCP Exam Support Services are designed to raise the probability that your first serious attempt is the one that passes.
How to choose the right OSCP package for your situation
Choosing an OSCP pricing path is a strategic call about risk, time, and current skill level — not just about the lowest sticker price.
Be honest about your baseline. If you already perform penetration testing professionally with deep Linux, Active Directory, and exploit-development experience, the $1,699 standalone exam is viable. If you are entry-level or intermediate, skipping PEN-200 and lab time usually raises your chance of failing, which then triggers retake fees or a second full purchase.
Match the package to your study rhythm. Candidates who can dedicate several hours per day for two to three months get strong value from the Course + Cert Bundle, since 90 days of labs aligns with a focused sprint. Those working full-time or balancing family responsibilities typically benefit from Learn One’s full-year window, which allows extended practice, multiple mock exams, and a more sustainable schedule.
Factor in who pays. If an employer reimburses training, Learn One or Learn Unlimited often deliver the best value through multiple attempts and deeper lab access. If you are self-funding, starting with a more modest bundle and supplementing with affordable practice platforms can contain costs while still preparing you adequately.
Think about your longer certification path. Learners aiming beyond OSCP — toward OSWE, OSEP, OSDA, CPTS, CRTO, PNPT and similar credentials — usually plan in multi-year terms, where longer subscriptions or bundled training make more sense. If you are mapping that ladder, our OSWE service list and other credential pages show where each certification fits.
For candidates who need fast, low-risk results, layering an OffSec package with our mentor-supported preparation is a common pattern. We focus on exam-style practice for OSCP and related certifications, mentor guidance that keeps you off low-impact topics, instant access to materials and structured exam simulations, and a success-oriented approach for professionals who cannot spare hundreds of unguided hours.
Why time-constrained professionals add mentor support
Most official OSCP offerings assume you will self-direct your learning and lab practice. That works for some, but it creates real friction for overworked IT professionals, entry-level candidates who do not yet know how to prioritize OSCP-relevant topics, and red team operators who simply need the credential quickly to meet a job or promotion requirement.
We built our offering for precisely this audience, focusing on mentor-backed preparation with instant access across OSCP, OSWP, OSWE, OSWA, OSEP, OSED, OSDA, CPTS, CRTO, PNPT and similar offensive certifications. Instead of experimenting across scattered resources, you anchor your plan around an OffSec exam package and use our mentoring to compress the path, minimize retakes, and make the overall oscp exam cost more predictable.
When you are ready to move from research to action, pair your chosen OffSec package — whether that is Learn One or the standalone exam — with our dedicated support. The combination is built for candidates who want the credential quickly, with focused study time and a far higher certainty of passing on the next serious attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to sit the OSCP exam in 2026?
The lowest direct price for new candidates is the $1,699 standalone OSCP+ exam, which includes two attempts but no PEN-200 training or labs. That is the cheapest route only if you already have the skills to pass without official training; otherwise the risk of failing and buying training later can make it more expensive overall.
How much does the OSCP exam plus training typically cost?
Most first-time candidates pay about $1,749 for the PEN-200 Course + Cert Bundle (90 days of labs, one attempt) or $2,749 for Learn One (365 days of labs, two attempts). Your choice comes down to whether you prefer a three-month sprint or a full year of more flexible study.
What are OSCP retake fees?
If no retake is bundled and you fail, you generally pay around $249 per additional attempt, unless you are on an annual subscription that handles retakes differently. Multiple retakes add up quickly, which is why many candidates invest in stronger preparation to avoid them.
How much does OSCP+ cost for existing OSCP holders?
Existing OSCP holders can buy the OSCP+ recertification exam for $199 during the promotional window from Nov 1, 2024 to Mar 31, 2025; after that, the price rises to $799. The promotional price covers only the first recertification attempt, and subsequent attempts use the regular higher price.
Is Learn One worth the extra cost over the Course + Cert Bundle?
For candidates balancing full-time work or family responsibilities, Learn One’s 365-day lab access and two exam attempts often justify the higher price by reducing time pressure and failure risk. Intensely focused learners who can study several hours every day for two to three months may be fine with the cheaper Course + Cert Bundle.