---
url: "https://xcademia.com/courses/xcrest-xcademia-crest-aligned-penetration-testing-practitioner"
title: "XCREST: Xcademia CREST-Aligned Penetration Testing Practitioner"
description: "Earn XCREST through a 6-day CREST methodology programme. NCSC CHECK, PPN 014, DORA TLPT. UK government and NHS testing ready. Practitioner-assessed."
publishedAt: "2026-04-20T06:51:32.008559+00:00"
updatedAt: "2026-04-21T09:43:05.470688+00:00"
type: course
code: "CYB-0340"
level: Expert
duration_days: "6"
track: "Ethical Hacking & Pen Testing"
category: "Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking"
credential_tier: tier3
price_gbp: "4995"
---

# XCREST: Xcademia CREST-Aligned Penetration Testing Practitioner

> The XCREST Certification Programme is the practitioner standard for penetration testers whose work must meet UK government, NHS, and DORA-regulated financial sector standards, aligned to the CREST Penetration Testing Standard (February 2025), NCSC CHECK methodology, and PPN 014 government procurement requirements. Assessed on Day 6 through a supervised CREST-methodology penetration test. No MCQs. Methodology-first assessment.

## Overview

PPN 014 (published February 2025) makes CREST accreditation mandatory for suppliers providing penetration testing to the UK government. DORA mandates CREST or CHECK-level testing for EU financial entity threat-led penetration testing. Without CREST-aligned methodology, penetration testers are excluded from UK government contracts and DORA TLPT engagements. XCREST is built to close this gap.

Across six instructor-led days, XCREST covers the technical and methodological content underpinning CREST CRT and CCT-level capability: the CREST Penetration Testing Standard updated February 2025 across six domains, infrastructure and web application testing at CREST scope, NCSC CHECK Technical Guidance for Testers methodology, CREST-standard report writing with evidence capture, and DORA TLPT engagement requirements. Participants who hold XEHP or equivalent find XCREST the direct pathway to understanding CREST methodology before pursuing formal CREST examination.

On Day 6, participants conduct a supervised penetration test against a government-representative environment using documented CREST-aligned methodology. The senior practitioner assesses methodology quality, scope management, evidence capture, and report structure against CREST standards. XCREST certificate and Practitioner Assessment Report issued. Aligned with CREST PTS February 2025, NCSC CHECK TGT, NCSC CHECK June 2025 update, PTES, OWASP Testing Guide v4, PPN 014, and DORA TLPT requirements.

## Prerequisites

- Completion of XEHP or equivalent penetration testing experience at practitioner level with minimum 2 years hands-on testing
- Working knowledge of network infrastructure and web application penetration testing methodology and tooling
- Understanding of professional penetration test report writing at intermediate level

## What you will learn

- Apply the CREST Penetration Testing Standard (February 2025) to structure, execute, and document penetration tests at UK government and financial sector standard
- Conduct infrastructure and web application penetration testing aligned to CREST CRT and CCT scope with CREST-standard evidence capture throughout
- Produce CREST-standard penetration test reports with finding documentation, CVSS risk ratings, evidence exhibits, and remediation recommendations satisfying PPN 014 requirements
- Apply NCSC CHECK Technical Guidance for Testers methodology to government system testing engagements aligned to the June 2025 CHECK update
- Structure penetration test engagements satisfying DORA TLPT requirements for EU financial entity operational resilience obligations
- Navigate UK government penetration testing procurement including PPN 014 compliance, security clearance considerations, and the CHECK Team Member career pathway

## Skills you will gain

- CREST PTS February 2025 methodology
- NCSC CHECK TGT methodology
- Infrastructure testing (CREST scope)
- Web application testing (CREST scope)
- CREST-standard report writing
- Evidence capture to CREST standard
- DORA TLPT methodology
- PPN 014 procurement compliance
- Government target testing methodology
- CVSS rating in CREST context
- CREST career pathway planning
- Financial sector TLPT engagement structure

## Career progression

- Penetration Tester (Government Sector)
- CREST CRT Candidate
- NCSC CHECK Team Member Candidate
- Security Consultant (Regulated Sector)
- Financial Services Penetration Tester
- Red Team Operator (CNI)

## Framework alignment

- CREST PTS February 2025
- NCSC CHECK
- PPN 014 February 2025
- DORA Article 26 TLPT
- OWASP Testing Guide v4
- PTES
- NCSC Penetration Testing Guidance
- CBEST

## Curriculum

1. **Module 1**
2. **Module 2**
3. **Module 3**

## Exam & certification

You will receive an Xcademia certificate of completion based on participation and successful completion of labs and scenario simulations.

## Delivery options

- **Live Online** — Join live instructor-led sessions from anywhere. Interactive, engaging, and flexible.
- **Onsite Training** — We come to you. Training delivered at your workplace for teams of 6 or more.
- **Venue-Based** — Classroom training at a professional venue. Ideal for focused, immersive learning.
- **Blended** — Combine online and in-person learning for maximum flexibility and impact.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is XCREST equivalent to CREST CRT certification?**

No. XCREST is a training and assessment programme aligned to CREST methodology. It is designed to build the methodology knowledge and professional practice that CREST CRT and CCT examinations test, serving as direct preparation for practitioners pursuing formal CREST examination. XCREST is not a substitute for formal CREST examination but a structured preparation programme for it.

**Why is CREST alignment critical for UK government work?**

PPN 014 published February 2025 makes CREST accreditation mandatory for UK government penetration testing suppliers. Penetration testers without CREST-aligned methodology cannot win UK government contracts. The NHS references CREST for IT Health Check (ITHC) services. DORA mandates CREST or CHECK for EU financial entity TLPT. XCREST builds the methodology foundation that opens these markets.

**What is the NCSC CHECK scheme and how does XCREST relate?**

NCSC CHECK is the UK government programme under which GCHQ-approved companies test public sector and CNI systems. CHECK Team Members must hold CRT plus a UK Cyber Security Council Professional Title at Practitioner level. XCREST covers NCSC CHECK TGT methodology and the professional practice required for CHECK work. It prepares practitioners for the formal CRT examination that leads to CHECK Team Member status.

**Does XCREST cover DORA TLPT requirements?**

Yes. Day 1 Module 4 covers DORA TLPT in depth: Article 26 obligations, CREST or CHECK mandatory requirement, TLPT scope (production systems, critical functions, ICT third-party providers), independent assessment requirements, and national competent authority engagement. EU financial entities must conduct TLPT every 3 years.

**What career impact does XCREST have?**

CREST-aligned penetration testers command 20 to 40% premiums over non-CREST practitioners on government and regulated sector contracts. Senior CREST CCT holders earn £85,000 to £140,000 as employees or £1,000 to £1,800 per day as consultants. XCREST positions practitioners for these engagements with documented methodology capability.

## Course at a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Code | CYB-0340 |
| Duration | 6 days |
| Level | Expert |
| Track | Ethical Hacking & Pen Testing |
| Category | Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking |
| Credential tier | tier3 |
| Price (GBP) | £4995 |

---

## About this content

This Markdown course profile is the citation-grade twin of [XCREST: Xcademia CREST-Aligned Penetration Testing Practitioner](https://xcademia.com/courses/xcrest-xcademia-crest-aligned-penetration-testing-practitioner). It is published by **Xcademia** (UK Companies House 12322710) and is available for AI search engines and large language models to index, summarise, and cite.

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