CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
CEH is a multiple-choice exam on attack techniques and countermeasures across reconnaissance, system hacking, network and perimeter attacks, web applications, wireless, mobile, IoT, OT, cloud and cryptography. EC-Council markets the current version as CEH v13, also called CEH AI, which adds AI topics to the training. EC-Council names security officers, auditors, security professionals and site administrators as the audience.
Exam Details
Delivered at ECC Exam Centres and Pearson VUE test centers or through EC-Council remote proctoring. A separate 6-hour CEH (Practical) exam with 20 challenges in iLabs leads to CEH Master when both are passed.
EC-Council lists the CEH exam voucher at $950 for the online proctored exam and $1,199 at a Pearson VUE test center. Candidates who qualify through experience instead of official training also pay a $100 non-refundable eligibility application fee. Training centers may bundle vouchers with their courses.
Requirements and Renewal
Prerequisites
Either official EC-Council training or at least two years of information security work experience with an approved eligibility application. EC-Council recommends at least two years of IT security experience.
Renewal
EC-Council Continuing Education (ECE): 120 credits per certification within each three-year cycle and an annual ECE fee of $80. Members who miss the requirements are suspended and have 12 months to comply before revocation.
Current Version
CEH v13 (CEH AI), exam blueprint v5.0, in effect since Sep 23, 2024.
Exam Domains
9 domains| Domain | 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% |
DoD 8140 Work Roles
7 work rolesThe DoD 8140 Qualification Matrix V2.1 lists CEH as a foundational qualification option for these DoD Cyber Workforce Framework work roles, up to the proficiency level shown. Lower levels of the same work role are also covered.
Comparisons
Certification Lists
Related Tool Categories
Intercepting HTTP proxies, security assessment toolkits, and network exploitation frameworks.
Phishing campaign platforms, security awareness testing tools, and credential harvesting simulators.
Infrastructure scanners, CVE audit engines, container image inspectors, and exposure management platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CEH stand for?→
CEH stands for Certified Ethical Hacker, an EC-Council certification. The current release is CEH v13, which EC-Council also calls CEH AI.
How much does the CEH exam cost?→
EC-Council lists the exam voucher at $950 for the online proctored exam and $1,199 at Pearson VUE. Candidates who qualify through experience instead of official training also pay a $100 eligibility application fee.
How long is the CEH exam and what is the pass mark?→
Exam 312-50 has 125 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours. The cut score ranges from 60% to 85% depending on the exam form.
What is CEH Master?→
CEH Master is awarded to candidates who pass both the CEH knowledge exam and the CEH (Practical) exam. The practical is a 6-hour, proctored exam with 20 challenges.
Can I take CEH without training?→
Yes, with at least two years of information security work experience. Candidates submit an eligibility application with a $100 fee, and approval usually takes 5 to 10 business days.
Sources
Exam details are checked against official EC-Council pages. Fees, exam versions, and renewal rules change; confirm with EC-Council before registering. CEH is a trademark of its owner. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by EC-Council.