The HTB Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (HTB CPTS) was a two-year practical learning path around end-to-end penetration testing methodology. It covered enumeration, exploitation, web attacks, privilege escalation, pivoting, Active Directory, and professional reporting before I passed the exam on 28 September 2025.

Focus areas: structured enumeration, web application attacks, Linux and Windows privilege escalation, Active Directory, pivoting, and report writing.