PrepWhat is CEH?
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) is EC-Council's certification showing you understand how attackers work so you can find and fix weaknesses before they are exploited. The current version is CEH v13, branded CEH AI, exam 312-50: 125 multiple-choice questions in four hours across nine domains, from reconnaissance to cloud and cryptography. See our CEH certification guide.
How do I become a Certified Ethical Hacker?
To become a CEH you pass exam 312-50 after qualifying through one of two routes. Either complete official EC-Council training, or show two years of information security experience and get an eligibility application approved, which costs a US$100 non-refundable fee and takes 5 to 10 business days. Our CEH cost and eligibility guide explains both routes.
How much is the CEH exam?
A CEH exam voucher costs US$950 for online proctoring or US$1,199 at a Pearson VUE center, according to EC-Council, and it is valid for 12 months. The experience route adds a US$100 application fee, and official training is priced separately. See the full breakdown in our CEH exam cost guide.
Is the CEH certification worth it?
CEH is worth it if a job, employer or government framework asks for it, or if you want a structured theory grounding in attacker techniques. It is costly compared with entry certifications and is a knowledge exam rather than a hands-on one, so many people pair it with practical lab work. Our CEH study guide discusses who benefits most.
CEH Study Guide: A 10-Week Plan Mapped to the CEH v13 Modules
How hard is the CEH exam?
The CEH exam is broad rather than deep. You face 125 questions over nine domains in four hours, and most candidates find the volume of terminology, ports, protocols and tools the main challenge. A networking background helps a lot. Our CEH study guide covers how to prepare.
CEH Study Guide: A 10-Week Plan Mapped to the CEH v13 Modules
What does CEH stand for?
CEH stands for Certified Ethical Hacker. An ethical hacker is a security professional who, with permission, looks for weaknesses in systems the way an attacker would, so the owner can fix them. The certification is awarded by EC-Council and the current exam is 312-50 (CEH v13).
What organization offers the CEH certification exam?
The CEH is offered by EC-Council, which writes the exam, sets the eligibility rules and runs the continuing education program. EC-Council's own pages are inconsistent about whether delivery is through its own exam centre or Pearson VUE, so confirm the delivery option when you book.
What are the requirements for CEH?
You need either official EC-Council training or at least two years of information security experience with an approved eligibility application. Approval takes 5 to 10 business days and is valid for 90 days, so apply before you plan your exam date. The CEH eligibility guide has the details.
Which is better, CCNA or CEH?
Neither is better overall; they lead to different jobs. CCNA proves Cisco networking skills for network roles, while CEH covers attacker techniques for security roles. Because CEH assumes you understand TCP/IP and ports, many people learn networking first. Read our CCNA FAQ for that side.
Can I get CEH for free?
The exam is not free: EC-Council's pages list a paid voucher (US$950 or US$1,199) and no free exam route. You can, however, keep preparation costs low by studying the free exam blueprint, building a lab on virtual machines you own and using our free CEH practice test. Some employers pay for the voucher.
How many questions are on the CEH exam?
The CEH exam (312-50) has 125 multiple-choice questions and a four-hour (240-minute) time limit. It is not open book. The heaviest domains are network and perimeter hacking (24%), reconnaissance techniques (17%) and system hacking (15%). Try our free CEH practice test to check your pace.
What is the CEH passing score?
There is no single CEH passing score. EC-Council sets the cut score per exam form, somewhere between 60% and 85%, depending on how difficult the question bank you receive is. Aim to score well above that range on practice exams before booking.
How long does it take to study for CEH?
As an editorial estimate, plan about 10 weeks of part-time study at 8 to 10 hours a week if you already understand networking. EC-Council does not publish a figure. Add two to four weeks first if TCP/IP, subnets and common ports are new to you. Our CEH study guide has the 10-week plan.
CEH Study Guide: A 10-Week Plan Mapped to the CEH v13 Modules
How do I keep my CEH certification?
CEH is valid for three years. To keep it, earn 120 EC-Council Continuing Education (ECE) credits in each three-year cycle and pay the US$80 annual fee. The CEH cost guide covers renewal costs and what happens if you miss the deadline.