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CEH exam cost at a glance
The CEH exam cost depends on two choices: how you qualify, and where you take the exam. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is EC-Council's ethical hacking certification, currently on version 13 and branded CEH AI. EC-Council's eligibility page lists these voucher prices, checked in November 2026:
| Item | Cost (USD) | Who pays it |
|---|---|---|
| Exam voucher, online with remote proctoring | 950 | Anyone taking the exam online |
| Exam voucher, Pearson VUE test center | 1,199 | Anyone taking the exam at a VUE center |
| Eligibility application fee | 100, non-refundable | Only candidates who did not complete official training |
| Annual continuing education fee | 80 per year | All certified members |
| Official training | Varies by provider and package | Only if you choose the training route |
The voucher prices appear on EC-Council's page for both the training and non-training routes. In practice, official training packages from EC-Council or its partners often bundle the exam voucher with the course, so the price you pay depends on the package. Taxes and local pricing can change the final amount, so confirm in the EC-Council store for your country.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam voucher | USD 950 (online proctored) / USD 1,199 (Pearson VUE) |
| Application fee | USD 100, non-refundable, only without official training |
| Eligibility | Official training, or 2 years of information security work experience |
| Exam | 312-50: 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours |
| Passing score | 60% to 85%, depending on the exam form |
| Renewal | 120 ECE credits per 3 years + USD 80 per year |
CEH requirements: two routes to eligibility
EC-Council's main CEH course page says there are no specific prerequisites for the program, and recommends at least two years of IT security experience. For the exam itself, the CEH requirements depend on which route you take.
Route 1: official training
Complete official CEH training through EC-Council or an Authorized Training Partner. EC-Council says that with official training you do not need to apply for exam eligibility, pay the USD 100 application fee or wait for reference checks. You will need to submit your certificate of completion.
Route 2: experience
If you self-study, you must apply for eligibility first:
- Show two years of work experience in an information security role, with proof.
- Submit the eligibility application with the non-refundable USD 100 fee.
- Wait for approval, which EC-Council says typically takes 5 to 10 business days.
- Buy the voucher using the purchase options EC-Council emails you after approval. The voucher code must match your eligibility application.
Approvals are valid for 90 days, so buy your voucher within that window. Once you buy a voucher, you have 12 months to schedule and complete the exam. If your application is rejected, the USD 100 is not refunded.
Which route costs less?
This is our own comparison, not EC-Council guidance.
| You are | Cheaper route | Typical outlay |
|---|---|---|
| An experienced security professional who can document two years in the field | Experience route, self-study | USD 100 application + USD 950 voucher = USD 1,050 for the online exam |
| Fairly new to security, or unable to document the experience | Training route | The package price, which usually includes the voucher |
| Employer pays for training | Training route | Usually no cost to you; check what the package includes, such as retakes |
The experience route is the lowest cash cost but carries the risk of a rejected application and a lost USD 100. Make sure your experience is clearly in an information security role before applying.
Training route: what to check in a package
If you go the official training route, the package price is your real CEH exam cost, so compare packages line by line rather than on headline price. Questions to ask any provider:
- Is the exam voucher included, and is it for online proctoring or a Pearson VUE center?
- Is a retake included? EC-Council notes that a bundled retake covers the exam voucher only, not proctoring fees, and applies only to the multiple-choice knowledge exam.
- Is the CEH Practical included, or would it be an extra purchase?
- What lab access do you get, and for how long? Hands-on practice matters for both exams.
- Is the training official? Only official training lets you skip the eligibility application. Ask for proof that the provider is an EC-Council Authorized Training Partner, and keep your certificate of completion.
- How long is the voucher valid? Once you have a voucher, you have 12 months to schedule and complete the exam.
A cheaper package without a voucher can end up costing more than an all-inclusive one once you add the USD 950 or USD 1,199 exam on top. Write down the full cost of each option, including any retake, before deciding.
CEH exam format
- Exam code: 312-50.
- Questions: 125 multiple choice.
- Time: 4 hours.
- Delivery: EC-Council's exam portal with remote proctoring, or Pearson VUE test centers. Remote sessions must be booked at least 3 days ahead.
- Passing score: there is no single figure. Each exam form has its own cut score set by difficulty, ranging from 60% to 85%.
- Retakes: up to 4 attempts in one year, through EC-Council's retake request process. Some training packages include a retake voucher, which covers the exam voucher but not proctoring fees.
CEH Practical and CEH Master
Passing the 125-question knowledge exam earns the CEH. EC-Council also offers an optional CEH Practical exam: 20 real-world challenges in 6 hours in its iLabs Cyber Range, with the same 60% to 85% cut score range. Passing both the knowledge exam and the Practical earns the CEH Master designation. Budget for the Practical separately if you want it.
Renewal: the ongoing cost
The CEH is part of EC-Council's Continuing Education (ECE) scheme:
- Earn 120 ECE credits within each three-year period.
- Pay the ECE fee of USD 80 per year, so USD 240 over a three-year cycle.
- If you miss the requirements, the certification is suspended. You can be reinstated if you earn the 120 credits within 12 months after the cycle ends and pay the fee; otherwise it is revoked and you must pass the exam again.
Total cost over three years
For a self-study candidate with documented experience who passes the online exam first time: USD 100 application + USD 950 voucher + USD 240 in annual fees = USD 1,290, before study materials. For the VUE exam, the same calculation gives USD 1,539. This is our arithmetic from EC-Council's published prices.
Is the CEH worth the cost?
At USD 950 or more for the voucher alone, the CEH is a significant expense; compare it with the Security+ exam cost, for example, and weigh it against your goals:
- It can be worth it if job ads or contracts in your market name the CEH specifically, or if your employer pays.
- Consider alternatives first if you are new to security. A foundation such as CompTIA Security+ costs less and covers core security concepts that the CEH assumes. Our cybersecurity certification roadmap shows where each credential fits.
- Check the format you need. The knowledge exam is multiple choice. If you want to prove hands-on skills, look at the CEH Practical as well.
We do not quote salary figures or pass rates because we have not found an authoritative, citable source for them.
How to avoid paying twice
- Check EC-Council's CEH page for the current version and its course modules before you study, so you do not prepare for an older version.
- Practise with timed question sets until you can work through 125 questions in 4 hours with time left over.
- Do not book until you score well above 85% on practice questions you have not seen, since your form's cut score could be at the top of the range.
- If you take the experience route, gather proof of your security roles before applying, so the USD 100 fee is not wasted.
PrepVerdict does not have a CEH practice test yet. Our free Security+ practice test covers many of the same security fundamentals and is a good way to find gaps before you commit to the CEH fee.