Exam Overview

The 156-401 exam is associated with Hacking 101 Check Point Certified PenTesting Associate (CCPA). Check Point's March 2026 certification FAQ does not list this exam among the current HackingPoint exams. Confirm live scheduling availability in the official Pearson VUE catalog before purchasing training or a voucher.

• Exam Code: 156-401
• Level: Associate
• Duration: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider in the public certification materials.
• Passing Score: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.
• Unscored Content: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.

Exam Structure

The 156-401 exam measures the objectives in the official CCPA syllabus. Number of Questions: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.

• Question Types: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.
• Number of Questions: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.
• Hands-On Questions: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider.

Exam Policies

Before completing CCPA exam registration, review Check Point's candidate rules, Pearson VUE identification requirements, appointment policies, online-testing requirements, and the confirmation email.

• Rescheduling Policy: Reschedule at least five days (120 hours) before the appointment for a full refund. Rescheduling within five days but more than 24 hours before the appointment incurs a USD 50 service fee. Changes are not permitted within 24 hours.
• Cancellation Policy: Manage cancellation through Pearson VUE within the deadlines and terms shown for the appointment. A late cancellation or missed appointment can forfeit the exam payment or voucher.
• Retake Policy: After the first failure, wait 24 hours before a second attempt. After the second failure, wait 30 days before the third and every subsequent attempt.
• Retake Fee: Each retake requires payment of the current CCPA exam fee or another eligible voucher unless the purchase terms explicitly include a retake.

Certification Validity and Renewal Options

Passing the 156-401 exam earns the certification or accreditation associated with Hacking 101 Check Point Certified PenTesting Associate (CCPA), subject to the current Check Point program rules and any stated prerequisite.

• Validity: Check Point certifications and accreditations are valid for two years (24 months) from the exam date.
• Renewal Options: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider for this exam in the current public certification catalog.

Exam Fee

• Base CCPA exam fee: Not officially disclosed by the certification provider. Confirm the current regional amount during official Pearson VUE registration. This is the main component of the CCPA certification cost.
• Taxes: VAT, GST, or other local taxes may change the final CCPA certification cost. The official Pearson VUE checkout displays the applicable amount.
• Example (India): Review the INR amount and applicable GST shown during CCPA exam registration; do not assume that a converted U.S. price is the final regional charge.

Prerequisites

Formal Prerequisites: Check Point's older HackingPoint catalog presented this as an introductory course. Current prerequisite information is not officially disclosed by the certification provider.

• Recommended Experience: Practical work aligned with penetration-testing methodology and ethics, reconnaissance and attack-surface discovery, and the technologies in the official course data sheet.
• Preparation should combine the official CCPA syllabus, Check Point documentation and SecureKnowledge resources, authorized training, and appropriate hands-on practice.
• Verify the exact exam code, product version, and live availability before studying or buying a voucher. Check Point's March 2026 certification FAQ does not list this exam among the current HackingPoint exams. Confirm live scheduling availability in the official Pearson VUE catalog before purchasing training or a voucher.

Exam Topics

The official CCPA syllabus focuses preparation on these course and assessment areas:

• Penetration-testing methodology and ethics – Official weighting not disclosed: Review the configuration, operation, analysis, and troubleshooting objectives associated with penetration-testing methodology and ethics in the official course data sheet.
• Reconnaissance and attack-surface discovery – Official weighting not disclosed: Review the configuration, operation, analysis, and troubleshooting objectives associated with reconnaissance and attack-surface discovery in the official course data sheet.
• Scanning, enumeration, and vulnerability validation – Official weighting not disclosed: Review the configuration, operation, analysis, and troubleshooting objectives associated with scanning, enumeration, and vulnerability validation in the official course data sheet.
• Password and authentication attacks – Official weighting not disclosed: Review the configuration, operation, analysis, and troubleshooting objectives associated with password and authentication attacks in the official course data sheet.
• Introductory infrastructure and web exploitation – Official weighting not disclosed: Review the configuration, operation, analysis, and troubleshooting objectives associated with introductory infrastructure and web exploitation in the official course data sheet.
• Evidence handling and penetration-test reporting – Official weighting not disclosed: Review the configuration, operation, analysis, and troubleshooting objectives associated with evidence handling and penetration-test reporting in the official course data sheet.

Intended Audience

The 156-401 exam is intended for professionals whose work or goals align with its current product and security objectives, including:

• Penetration Testers
• Red-Team Professionals
• Security Consultants
• Vulnerability Analysts
• Application Security Engineers
• Offensive-Security Practitioners
• Cybersecurity Professionals

Career Opportunities

Knowledge represented by the 156-401 exam supports development toward roles such as:

• Penetration Tester
• Red-Team Operator
• Offensive-Security Consultant
• Application Security Engineer
• Vulnerability Researcher
• Security Assessment Specialist

Average Salary (Approximate)

Check Point does not publish salary ranges for CCPA holders. These reputable employment-market estimates use closely related roles. Salaries vary by experience, employer, location, job role, and industry.

• United States: Approximately USD 100,000–165,000 per year for penetration testers and offensive-security consultants (Glassdoor and Indeed, July 2026).
• India: Approximately INR 700,000–2,000,000 per year for penetration testers and offensive-security consultants (Glassdoor and Indeed, July 2026).
• United Kingdom: Approximately GBP 48,000–88,000 per year for penetration testers and offensive-security consultants (Glassdoor and Indeed, July 2026).
• UAE: Approximately AED 140,000–310,000 per year for penetration testers and offensive-security consultants (Glassdoor and Indeed, July 2026).

Exam Delivery Options

During CCPA exam registration, choose an available Pearson VUE Authorized Testing Center or OnVUE online-proctored appointment when the option is offered for the exam and location.

• Pearson VUE Test Center – Take the exam in person at an authorized center with controlled equipment and on-site admission procedures.
• OnVUE Online Testing – Take the exam remotely on a compatible webcam-enabled computer when online delivery is available.
• Online Exam Rules: Run the system test, use a private and quiet testing area, present accepted identification, remove prohibited materials, and follow the proctor's instructions.
• Test Center Rules: Arrive as directed, present accepted identification, store prohibited items, complete admission procedures, and follow the candidate and center rules.

Exam Registration

Follow these steps to complete CCPA exam registration:

• Visit the official Pearson VUE Check Point portal and sign in or create the testing account linked to the same email address as the Check Point User Center profile.
• Search for the 156-401 exam and confirm that the title, code, product version, and delivery options match the intended credential.
• Choose the location, delivery method, date, and time, then verify the legal name, identification rules, accommodation status, and appointment policies.
• Pay the displayed CCPA exam fee or apply an eligible voucher on the Payment and Billing page, confirm the booking, and retain the confirmation email.

After Passing the Exam

After passing the 156-401 exam, retain the score report and allow the result to be associated with the Check Point User Center profile.

• Passing the 156-401 exam earns the applicable Check Point certification or accreditation when every current program requirement has been satisfied.
• Use the Check Point User Center to review certification status and expiration information and to download the official electronic certificate.
• If the credential is missing after three days, contact Check Point Account Services and provide the appointment details. Keep account recovery and contact information current.

Why the 156-401 exam Is Worth It

• Aligns preparation with official Check Point course objectives
• Demonstrates focused, vendor-specific cybersecurity knowledge
• Supports practical administration, engineering, or testing capability
• Creates a verifiable foundation for specialization and career development