APIs now account for 80% of all internet traffic. They are also the #1 attack surface for modern breaches. If you work in security, development, or DevSecOps, you already know this. The question is, which certification actually prepares you to do something about it?
Two names come up repeatedly: the Certified API Security Professional (CASP) from Practical DevSecOps and the APIsec Certified Practitioner (ACP) from APIsec University. This guide breaks down both. No fluff. Just what matters.
What Is Certified API Security Professional (CASP)?
The Certified API Security Professional (CASP) is offered by Practical DevSecOps, a cybersecurity training and certifications company specializing in hands-on DevSecOps, AI Security, and Application Security. Practical DevSecOps has trained over 12,500+ security professionals and is trusted by organizations including Roche, Accenture, IBM, PWC, and Booz Allen Hamilton.
CASP is built for security professionals who want to go beyond theory. The course spans 9 chapters covering API architecture, authentication and authorization attacks, OWASP API Top 10, input validation, GraphQL/SOAP/REST security, CI/CD pipeline integration, and DevSecOps automation. It includes 60+ browser-based hands-on labs with no VM setup required.
Certified API Security Professional
Secure REST, GraphQL & SOAP APIs: OWASP Top 10 + hands-on testing.
Exam format: 5 task-based challenges in a 6-hour practical exam, followed by a 24-hour report submission. This is a performance-based assessment. You either know how to do it or you don’t.
Price: $899. Lifetime certification. 36 CPE points included.
Who it’s for: Application security analysts, senior security engineers, penetration testers, DevSecOps engineers, API developers, and full-stack developers who need to own the security layer.
What Is ACP?
The APIsec Certified Practitioner (ACP) is offered by APIsec University. It requires completion of five core courses: API Security Fundamentals, OWASP API Top 10 and Beyond, API Authentication, API Documentation Best Practices, and Securing API Servers.
Exam format: 100 multiple-choice questions. Pass mark: 80%.
Price: Free courses. Paid exam.
Who it’s for: Entry-level practitioners looking to validate foundational API security knowledge.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | CASP (Practical DevSecOps) | ACP (APIsec University) |
| Level | Intermediate–Advanced | Entry-level |
| Exam Type | 6-hour practical, task-based | 100 MCQs, 2 hours |
| Labs | 60+ browser-based hands-on labs | No dedicated labs |
| Coverage | Auth attacks, OWASP Top 10, CI/CD, DevSecOps, GraphQL, SOAP, REST | Fundamentals, OWASP Top 10, Auth, Documentation |
| Certification Validity | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Price | $899 | Paid exam (courses free) |
| CPE Points | 36 | Not specified |
| Employer Recognition | Trusted by Roche, IBM, Accenture, and PWC | Growing community |
Why Experienced Professionals Choose Certified API Security Professional (CASP)
The difference is not just depth. It’s the type of proof you walk away with.
ACP tests whether you can recall API security concepts. CASP tests whether you can actually execute. The 6-hour practical exam requires you to identify vulnerabilities, exploit them, and write a professional report. That is the exact workflow a security engineer or penetration tester runs in the real world.
CASP also covers areas ACP does not touch: CI/CD pipeline security, SAST/DAST automation, HashiCorp Vault for secrets management, Kong Gateway configuration, and post-exploitation techniques. These are not academic topics. They are daily responsibilities for senior security roles.
For professionals already working in AppSec, DevSecOps, or penetration testing, ACP’s multiple-choice format does not add much credibility. Hiring managers at organizations like Roche, IBM, and Booz Allen Hamilton. Organizations that trust Practical DevSecOps. Want to see demonstrated skill, not recalled knowledge.
The Pay Impact
API security is not a niche skill anymore. The API security market is projected to grow from $1.06 billion in 2024 to $58.13 billion by 2034. Demand is outpacing supply.
Non-certified professionals in API security typically earn $80,000–$110,000. CASP-certified professionals report salaries ranging from $141,000 to $190,000+, with top specialists reaching $240,000. That is a 15–20% pay increase at minimum, and often significantly more when moving to a new employer or senior role.
Application Security Engineers average $146,000–$177,000. Senior Information Security Engineers with API expertise can reach $204,000. DevSecOps Engineers with API security skills command $89,500–$183,000 depending on scope and seniority.
Certifications do not guarantee a raise at your current job. What they do is position you for the roles that pay at the top of the range.
Conclusion
If you are new to API security and want a structured introduction, ACP is a reasonable starting point. The free courses are solid, and the exam gives you a baseline credential.
If you are already working in security and want a certification that holds up in a technical interview, a job application at a Fortune 500, or a senior role negotiation, CASP is the clear choice. The practical exam format, the depth of coverage, and the brand recognition behind Practical DevSecOps make it the stronger investment.
CASP is not easier. That is the point. The professionals who earn it have proven they can do the work.
Certified API Security Professional
Secure REST, GraphQL & SOAP APIs: OWASP Top 10 + hands-on testing.
FAQs
Yes, significantly. CASP uses a 6-hour practical, task-based exam where you must identify and exploit real vulnerabilities and submit a written report. The ACP is a 100-question multiple-choice test. The difficulty gap reflects the difference in target audience: CASP is built for working security professionals, ACP for those entering the field.
CASP-certified professionals typically earn $141,000–$190,000+, compared to $80,000–$110,000 for non-certified peers in similar roles. That represents a 15–20% pay increase at minimum, and often more when transitioning to a new employer or senior position.
Absolutely. The Certified API Security Professional (CASP) is specifically designed for API developers, full-stack developers, and DevSecOps engineers, not just security analysts. The curriculum covers secure coding practices, CI/CD pipeline integration, and how to build APIs that pass security reviews from day one.
CASP is self-paced with 3 years of video access and 60 days of browser-based lab access. Most professionals complete the course in 4–8 weeks, depending on their schedule and prior experience. The exam can be scheduled at any time after course completion.
Yes. CASP is listed on the NICCS (CISA) training catalog and is trusted by organizations including Roche, Accenture, IBM, PWC, and Booz Allen Hamilton. It is a vendor-neutral certification, which means it applies across industries and technology stacks.
