Best Ethical Hacking Certifications for Beginners: How to Choose the Right First One
Ethical hacking is a rapidly growing field, and getting certified is one of the best ways for beginners to enter the industry. This blog explores the best ethical hacking certifications for beginners, covering their importance, difficulty level, career benefits, and cost. It provides a detailed comparison of top certifications like Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), CompTIA Security+, GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), and more. You’ll learn how these certifications can help you get high-paying jobs, improve your cybersecurity skills, and establish credibility in the industry. By the end of this blog, you will know which certification suits your career goals and how to start preparing for it.
Quick answer: The best ethical hacking certifications for beginners are CompTIA Security+ for security fundamentals, EC-Council's CCT or CEH v13 for an ethical hacking introduction, and CompTIA PenTest+ for hands-on testing skills. OSCP (PEN-200) is the respected practical goal once you have networking, Linux and lab experience. Pick by your current level, not by popularity.
Key takeaways
- Start with fundamentals. Networking, Linux and basic security knowledge make every later certification easier.
- CEH v13 is the current version of EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker. CEH Practical is a separate hands-on exam. Versions v10, v11 and v12 are retired.
- OSCP is a hard, practical exam. It suits people who already have lab hours behind them, not complete beginners.
- A certificate gets you an interview. Lab write-ups and the ability to explain what you did get you the job.
- This page does not quote salaries. Check current pay on job listings for your city.
Which ethical hacking certification should a beginner start with?
Choose by what you already know.
| If you are... | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New to IT and networks | A networking and Linux base, such as CCNA topics and a Linux course, then Security+ | Security work sits on top of networks and operating systems |
| Comfortable with IT, new to security | CompTIA Security+ or EC-Council CCT | Teaches security concepts and vocabulary |
| Ready to learn hacking methods | CEH v13, then CEH Practical | Covers the ethical hacking process and tools |
| Want a hands-on testing credential at mid level | CompTIA PenTest+ | Includes performance-based questions on testing tasks |
| Have lab experience and want a respected practical credential | OSCP (PEN-200) | A hands-on exam where you compromise machines and write a report |
What are the main beginner-friendly certifications?
CompTIA Security+
A vendor-neutral foundation in threats, cryptography, network security, identity and risk. It is not a hacking certification, but it gives the vocabulary every tester needs. See CompTIA's certification pages for the current exam code and objectives.
EC-Council Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT)
An entry-level EC-Council certification for people starting out in security operations and technical roles. It suits learners who want something earlier than CEH. Learn more on WebAsha's CCT course page.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH v13)
CEH from EC-Council covers the phases of ethical hacking: reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access and covering tracks, with the tools used in each. The current version is CEH v13, branded CEH v13 AI. The knowledge exam is separate from CEH Practical, which tests skills in a lab. Details are on EC-Council's CEH page. Employers differ in how much they value it, so check job listings in your area. WebAsha teaches it as CEH v13 AI, with a practical track in CEH v13 AI Practical.
CompTIA PenTest+
A mid-level certification covering planning, scoping, information gathering, attacks, reporting and tools, with hands-on style questions. It is a good bridge between theory and OSCP. WebAsha offers the CompTIA PenTest+ course.
OffSec SEC-100 (CyberCore) and OSCP
OffSec's SEC-100 CyberCore teaches security essentials. OSCP, taken after the PEN-200 course, is a practical exam, and a pass awards OSCP and OSCP+. It is demanding and rewards people who have practised a lot. See OffSec PEN-200 and WebAsha's OSCP course page. WebAsha also lists the entry course, SEC-100 CyberCore.
Do certifications affect pay?
They can influence which roles you can apply for and how an employer sets an offer, but no certification guarantees a figure. Bounty income is irregular and not typical for beginners. For realistic pay, check current job listings for roles like SOC analyst, security analyst and junior penetration tester in your city, and read our entry-level cybersecurity salary breakdown.
What usually moves pay and offers upward:
- Practical proof: lab write-ups, a GitHub repository of scripts, bug reports you were allowed to make.
- Skills employers list in the job post, such as Linux, networking, scripting, cloud, SIEM tools.
- Communication, because testers must explain risk.
- Location, company size and your negotiation.
How should you plan your study order?
- Months 1 to 3: networking and Linux basics. Practise the command line daily.
- Months 3 to 6: Security+ or CCT, plus a home lab with Kali Linux and vulnerable VMs.
- Months 6 to 9: CEH v13 with practical lab work, writing up each exercise.
- Months 9 to 12: PenTest+ or CEH Practical, and apply for SOC or junior security roles.
- Afterwards: OSCP when you can solve beginner and intermediate lab machines without hints.
This is a suggested plan, not a promise. Adjust it to your hours and background. If you are searching for your first role, our guide on getting a cybersecurity job as a fresher covers applications and interviews.
Common mistakes beginners make
- Going straight for OSCP without basic networking and Linux skills.
- Choosing a certification because a friend did, not because it fits the job you want.
- Studying an outdated version, such as CEH v11, instead of v13.
- Collecting certificates and building no portfolio.
- Practising on real websites. Test only your own lab or systems you have written permission to test. Unauthorised access is an offence under India's Information Technology Act, 2000.
Next steps
If you want guided preparation, start with the CEH v13 AI course at WebAsha. For a longer comparison, read best ethical hacking certifications to start with.
Related reading
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Vaishnavi is a skilled tech professional at the Ethical Hacking Training Institute in Pune, responsible for managing and optimizing the technical infrastructure that supports advanced cybersecurity education. With deep expertise in network security, backend operations, and system performance, she ensures that practical labs, online modules, and assessments run smoothly and securely. Her behind-the-scenes contributions play a vital role in delivering a seamless and secure learning experience for aspiring ethical hackers.
