Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Requirements & Exam Details

Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential is issued by the EC-Council and requires candidates to meet published prerequisites before attempting the examination. Applicants must demonstrate either two years of information security work experience or completion of official EC-Council training. The single-attempt exam fee is $1,199 when scheduled through Pearson VUE, though alternative pricing structures may apply through other channels. The fee stated here is accurate as of June 2026 and is subject to change. Candidates should confirm all current eligibility requirements, fees, and registration procedures directly on the EC-Council's official website before proceeding with registration.

The CEH credential remains valid for three years from the date of issuance, after which renewal is required to maintain active status. Renewal involves completing continuing education requirements or retaking the examination. Because eligibility criteria, examination fees, and renewal policies are established and maintained by the EC-Council and may be modified, prospective candidates must verify the current requirements on the issuing organization's official page. The information provided reflects published standards as of the verification date but does not constitute investment or career guidance.

Register with the issuer. Eligibility, fees and renewal rules are set by EC-Council and can change — confirm on the official page.

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