As of November 1, 2024, Offensive Security is making significant changes to its well-known certificate: The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) will become OSCP+. If you are in the IT and security industry or are planning to obtain the OSCP certificate, there are some important changes you should be aware of. Here’s your overview of the new developments and how they affect you!
What's new about OSCP+?
1. OSCP+ and the expiration date:
The previously open-ended OSCP will become the OSCP Plus, which must now be renewed every three years. While the previous OSCP certification remains valid forever, the OSCP+ must be renewed regularly to ensure that your knowledge is always up to date. If you fail to renew, you will retain the OSCP certificate without the “+” – for life and without an expiry date.
2. Modifications in the OSCP examination:
One of the most significant changes concerns the Active Directory (AD) scenario in the OSCP exam. From now on, you will start with a standard user account within the network – a so-called “assumed compromise” approach. This change makes the exam more realistic and better prepares you for real cyberattacks. In addition, the exam now awards points for partial successes, which means that you don’t necessarily have to complete everything to pass.
3. Elimination of bonus points:
You used to be able to collect bonus points if you completed 80% of the course modules and compromised 40 machines in the lab. These bonus points are now a thing of the past. The elimination ensures more fairness and a level playing field for all candidates, regardless of how many exercises they complete before the exam.
What does the OSCP+ cost and how can you renew it?
OSCP costs will remain stable despite the changes: the course and certificate bundle and the Learn One option will retain their prices, although the annual price adjustment may continue. When it comes to renewing the OSCP+, there are three options:
- Pass the OSCP+ exam again.
- Take another qualifying Offensive Security certification (e.g. OSEP, OSWA, OSED, OSEE).
- Complete the new OffSec CPE program, which will be introduced in late 2024 or early 2025.
The cost of renewing the OSCP+ is 799 US dollars.
Special deal for existing OSCP holders
Do you already have the OSCP? Good news! Until March 31, 2025, you can upgrade to the OSCP Plus for just 199 US dollars. After that, the regular upgrade to the OSCP+ costs 799 US dollars – so don’t miss out!
Why these changes?
Offensive Security wants to ensure that the OSCP+ stays up to date and aligned with international standards such as ISO 17024. In addition, the OSCP+ could soon be recognized for the DOD 8570 program, which could open doors to exciting jobs in the government sector.
What does the community say?
There are mixed reactions on the OffSec Discord platform. Some users are skeptical because of the additional costs and the new expiration date. Others see the changes as positive and welcome the fact that the certificate is aligned with the current requirements of the industry.
Conclusion: OSCP+ - The next step in cyber security
With the OSCP+, Offensive Security is taking a big step towards the future. The new requirements ensure that you always stay up to date and continuously expand your knowledge. Whether you already have an OSCP certificate or are thinking about getting one, the OSCP Plus is an exciting but necessary step to stay ahead in the cyber security industry!
FAQ about the new OSCP+ certificate from Offensive Security
OSCP+ is the new, extended version of the previous Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certificate. It has a validity period of three years, while the original OSCP remains valid for life. OSCP+ must be renewed regularly to ensure that your knowledge is up to date.
There are three options for renewing the OSCP+:
- Passing the OSCP+ exam again.
- Passing another qualifying Offensive Security certification (e.g. OSEP, OSWA, OSED, OSEE).
- Participation and successful completion of the new OffSec CPE program, which will be introduced in 2024/2025.
If you do not renew your OSCP+ within three years, you will lose the “+” in the certificate but keep your original OSCP certificate, which remains valid for life.
Yes, the OSCP cost for the course and certificate bundle and the “Learn One” option will remain the same, although annual price increases are still possible. The OSCP+ renewal costs 799 US dollars.
The OSCP+ exam has been updated, especially in the area of Active Directory (AD). You now start from a position of assumed compromise within the network and must achieve partial success to earn points. The previous bonus point mechanism has been removed to allow for more consistent scoring.
Yes, existing OSCP holders can upgrade to OSCP+ for only $199 until March 31, 2025. After that, the upgrade will cost 799 US dollars.
Your current OSCP certificate remains unchanged and valid for life. The new rules and the OSCP+ will only affect you if you decide to upgrade or recertify.
No, the PEN-200 course material remains unchanged and continues to provide comprehensive preparation for the updated OSCP+ exam.
The bonus point system has been removed to ensure more fairness and consistency. This ensures that all candidates have the necessary skills, especially in the area of Active Directory, which plays a central role in the exam.
Offensive Security is considering introducing a Plus system for other certificates as well, but there are currently no concrete plans or dates.
