LPF LPQ study guide
LPF LPQ · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The LPF LPQ (Licensed Penetration Tester Qualification, often shortened to LPQ) is a vendor-neutral, multiple-choice credential aimed at practitioners who want evidence that they understand penetration testing as a disciplined, documented process rather than a collection of exploits. It suits junior-to-mid-level testers, SOC and blue-team staff moving toward offensive work, and security generalists who must scope, review, or commission penetration tests. The LPF LPQ study guide has 10 sections and about 3,329 words.
01Information Security Fundamentals and Governance
This domain tests how well you connect penetration-testing activity to security governance: the CIA triad, risk, control selection, policy hierarchy, access control, and cryptography at a conceptual level. Expect questions that ask you to classify a control or decide whether a finding is a vulnerability, a risk, or a compliance gap.
364 words, about 2 min02Reconnaissance and Information Gathering
This domain tests passive and active information gathering: building an asset and attack-surface picture before exploitation, while staying inside authorization. Questions often ask you to distinguish passive from active collection or to choose the least intrusive way to confirm a finding.
349 words, about 2 min03Network and Infrastructure Penetration Testing
This domain tests host discovery, service enumeration, vulnerability validation, exploitation, and pivoting in network environments, including Active Directory. The exam expects methodical testing, not a single tool run.
326 words, about 2 min04Web Application Security Testing
This domain tests structured web and API testing using OWASP WSTG and the OWASP Top 10: authentication, session management, access control, input handling, and business logic. The exam favors manual confirmation over scanner output.
313 words, about 2 min05Wireless and Mobile Security Testing
This domain tests WLAN, Bluetooth, and mobile application security. You need to know the handshake and pairing mechanics, the limits of each attack, and how mobile testing differs from web testing.
340 words, about 2 min06Exploitation and Post-Exploitation
This domain tests controlled exploitation, privilege escalation, lateral movement, persistence decisions, and evidence handling. The goal is to prove impact, not to cause damage.
311 words, about 2 min07Social Engineering and Physical Security
This domain tests authorized human-layer and physical assessments: phishing, vishing, pretexting, tailgating, badge cloning, and lock bypass. The exam emphasizes consent, safety, and measurement over trickery.
319 words, about 2 min08Reporting, Remediation and Communication
This domain tests the deliverable: clear findings, defensible risk ratings, actionable remediation, and audience-appropriate communication. A technically correct test with a poor report loses marks.
310 words, about 2 min09Legal, Ethical and Compliance Considerations
This domain tests authorization, scope, law, data protection, and professional ethics. Many exam scenarios hinge on whether the tester had permission and what they did with unexpected data.
356 words, about 2 min10Penetration Testing Methodology and Tooling
This domain tests whether you can run a repeatable engagement: choose a methodology, select tools by task, keep evidence, and avoid tool-driven testing. The exam values process knowledge as much as command syntax.
341 words, about 2 min