The CEH exam costs $950 for a remote-proctored voucher, has 125 multiple-choice questions in four hours, and uses a passing cut score that varies by exam form. Self-study candidates need two years of information security experience; completing official EC-Council training removes that requirement.
CEH at a glance
| Detail | What the issuer says |
|---|---|
| Issuer | EC-Council |
| Exam | CEH v13 (exam code 312-50) |
| Questions | 125 |
| Question types | Multiple choice (knowledge-based) |
| Time limit | 4 hours |
| Passing score | Varies by exam form, typically between 60% and 85% |
| Exam fee | $950 (online remote-proctored voucher); $1,199 (Pearson VUE voucher) |
| Experience | 2 years of information security experience, or official EC-Council training |
| Renewal | 120 ECE/CPE credits per certification within the 3-year period; credits registered annually; Certification valid 3 years from date of certification |
| Ongoing fee | US$80 annual continuing education (CE) fee |
| DoD 8140 | Approved by U.S. DoD under Directive 8140 for 4 of 5 CSSP roles (per EC-Council); DCWF roles include 111, 141, 511, 531, 541, 661 |
| Delivery | ECC Exam Centre (EC-Council remote proctoring) or Pearson VUE testing centers; can also be proctored at training centers |
Who the CEH is for
The Certified Ethical Hacker covers how attackers work, from reconnaissance to web, wireless, cloud and IoT attacks. It is a knowledge exam, so it suits analysts and junior testers who want a broad offensive-security foundation before a hands-on cert such as OSCP.
Self-study candidates need two years of information security experience and a $100 eligibility application. Completing official EC-Council training, including through an approved academic institution, makes you eligible without the experience application.
CEH exam domains
The exam outline sets how much of the test covers each area. Spend study time in proportion to the weights.
| Domain | Exam weight |
|---|---|
| Information Security and Ethical Hacking Overview | 6% |
| Reconnaissance Techniques | 17% |
| System Hacking Phases and Attack Techniques | 15% |
| Network and Perimeter Hacking | 24% |
| Web Application Hacking | 14% |
| Wireless Network Hacking | 5% |
| Mobile Platform, IoT, and OT Hacking | 10% |
| Cloud Computing | 5% |
| Cryptography | 5% |
How much the CEH costs
Self-study candidates also pay a non-refundable $100 eligibility application fee. You get up to four attempts in one year. The optional six-hour CEH Practical exam costs $550.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam voucher (remote-proctored) | $950 |
| Eligibility application (self-study route) | $100 |
| Annual continuing education fee, 3 years | $240 |
| Total | $1,290 |
Totals add the issuer's published fees for one exam attempt and a full three-year cycle. Training, books and retakes are extra.
Keeping the CEH active
120 ECE/CPE credits per certification within the 3-year period; credits registered annually (Certification valid 3 years from date of certification). US$80 annual continuing education (CE) fee.
Careers and pay
Information security analysts earned a median $129,180 in May 2025, and BLS projects the field to grow 21% from 2025 to 2035. Computer and information systems managers earned a median $175,140 in May 2025, and BLS projects the field to grow 15.8% from 2025 to 2035. BLS does not report pay by certification, so treat any single "CEH salary" figure with caution.
See our cybersecurity salary guide and cybersecurity analyst career guide.
CEH compared with related certifications
| Certification | Issuer | Exam fee | Experience to certify |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEH | EC-Council | $950 | 2 years of information security experience, or official EC-Council training |
| PenTest+ | CompTIA | $439 | None required |
| OSCP / OSCP+ | OffSec | $1,699 | None required |
| Security+ | CompTIA | $439 | None required |
| C|PENT | EC-Council | $1,999 | None formally |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the CEH exam cost?
$950 for the exam, per EC-Council. Over a full three-year cycle, published fees total about $1,290 before training.
How hard is the CEH exam?
You get 4 hours for 125 multiple-choice questions. The passing cut score varies by exam form, typically between 60% and 85%. Study each domain in proportion to its weight.
Do I need experience for the CEH?
2 years of information security experience, or official EC-Council training
Does a degree help with the CEH?
Self-study candidates need two years of information security experience and a $100 eligibility application. Completing official EC-Council training, including through an approved academic institution, makes you eligible without the experience application.
How do I renew the CEH?
120 ECE/CPE credits per certification within the 3-year period; credits registered annually (Certification valid 3 years from date of certification). US$80 annual continuing education (CE) fee.
Sources
Exam, price and renewal details come from each issuer's official pages, checked October 2026. Issuers change prices and exam versions, so confirm before you register.