Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) 2025 Guide: Exam Details, Costs, Difficulty & Best Study Plan

Want to break into ethical hacking and land a job that pays well and creates real security impact? The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is one of the most recognized paths to get there. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk through everything students and early‑career professionals need to know: what CEH covers, how the exam works, how much it costs, how to prepare, and how it compares to other options. We’ll also talk about CEH Practical and CEH Master so you can plan your journey with confidence.

What Is CEH? Overview and Why It Matters

CEH is a vendor‑neutral ethical hacking certification from EC‑Council that validates your ability to think like an attacker—and use that mindset to strengthen defenses. It’s globally recognized and ANAB/ISO/IEC 17024 accredited, which matters for employer trust and government use.

• Latest version: CEH v13, structured as Learn | Certify | Engage | Compete. It includes 20 modules, 221 hands‑on labs, 550+ attack techniques, and 4,000+ tools to practice with. This is designed to take you from theory to practical skill.

• Exam options:

  • CEH (knowledge): 125 multiple‑choice questions, 4 hours, exam code 312‑50. Passing score varies by exam form—typically 60–85%. You can take it online via EC‑Council Remote Proctoring (RPS) or at Pearson VUE test centers.

  • CEH Practical: a 6‑hour hands‑on lab exam with 20 real‑world challenges you solve in a live environment.

  • CEH Master: earn it by passing both CEH and CEH Practical.

Actionable takeaway: Decide early whether your target job prefers CEH alone or CEH Master (CEH + CEH Practical). Many offensive roles and government paths value the Master designation for hands‑on proof.

What Makes CEH Unique and Valuable

CEH is widely recognized by employers, especially in compliance‑sensitive sectors and government. It’s also approved for U.S. DoD 8140 roles, which is why so many defense contractors and agencies list CEH in job requirements. CEH v13 introduces expanded hands‑on elements, ongoing CTFs, and coverage of AI‑assisted workflows that mirror modern attacker behavior.

• Strengths:

  • Broad coverage across networks, systems, web apps, cloud, wireless, IoT/OT, cryptography, and more.

  • Recognized baseline for HR screenings and DoD‑aligned roles.

  • A clear pathway to validate hands‑on skills (CEH Practical, then CEH Master).

Actionable takeaway: If you’re aiming for federal, defense, or enterprise security roles where recognition matters, CEH delivers a strong baseline that recruiters and hiring managers already understand.

Who Can Take CEH? Eligibility and Prerequisites

There are two ways to become eligible for the CEH exam:

• Official training route: Attend EC‑Council‑approved training (Authorized Training Center, iClass/on‑demand, or an academic partner). This automatically makes you eligible to sit the exam.

• Experience/self‑study route: Have at least 2 years of information security experience and submit an eligibility application (with a $100 fee) for approval before purchasing an exam voucher.

Recommended background: While CEH doesn’t require specific prerequisites, you’ll succeed faster if you understand networking (TCP/IP, subnets, routing), operating systems (Windows, Linux), basic scripting, and security fundamentals.

Actionable takeaway: If you lack 2+ years of experience, choose the official training route. If you have the experience already, the self‑study route saves cost—just budget time for application approval.

CEH Exam Structure and What’s on the Test

Here’s how the certification pathway breaks down:

• CEH (knowledge exam)

  • Format: 125 MCQs, 4 hours.

  • Passing: Variable by exam form (60–85% typical). Aim to consistently score 80%+ on practice exams to create a safety margin.

  • Delivery: Online with EC‑Council remote proctor or in person at Pearson VUE.

• CEH Practical (hands‑on exam)

  • Format: 6 hours, 20 real‑world lab challenges.

  • Skills tested: Reconnaissance, scanning, enumeration, exploitation (including web vulnerabilities like SQL injection/XSS), password/credential attacks, privilege escalation, pivoting, and reporting.

• CEH Master: Awarded when you pass both the CEH knowledge exam and CEH Practical.

Topic coverage (CEH v13 modules):

• Information gathering and reconnaissance

• Scanning networks and enumeration

• Vulnerability analysis

• System hacking, malware threats, and sniffing

• Denial‑of‑Service, session hijacking, IDS/IPS/Firewalls evasion

• Web server/web application hacking, SQL injection

• Wireless, mobile, IoT/OT/SCADA security

• Cloud computing and cryptography

• Social engineering, hacking methodology, and reporting

Actionable takeaway: Build your study plan around complete workflows (recon→exploitation→post‑exploitation→reporting). That prepares you for both the CEH knowledge exam and CEH Practical.

CEH Costs, Vouchers, Retakes, and Recertification

Budgeting upfront helps you avoid surprises. Typical U.S. pricing (as of late 2025):

• Exam vouchers:

  • CEH (online RPS): about $950. Voucher validity is 1 year; you can pay to extend.

  • CEH (Pearson VUE test center): about $1,199.

• CEH Practical: about $550 (dashboard code valid for 1 year).

• Eligibility fee: $100 (experience route).

• Retakes: commonly $500 per attempt; wait rules usually allow an immediate retake after first failure, then 14‑day waits; up to 5 attempts in a 12‑month period.

• Training: On‑demand from around $1,699; live online from around $2,499; bundles often include labs and a voucher.

• Recertification: CEH is valid 3 years; earn 120 ECE credits in the cycle and pay an annual CE/maintenance fee (~$80).

Actionable takeaway: Compare bundled training packages against buying a la carte. Bundles often include the voucher, labs, and sometimes a retake—reducing total cost and hassle.

How to Prepare: Strategies, Study Plan, and Resources

Think like a pro athlete: drills, scrimmages, and game day.

• Step 1: Master the fundamentals

  • Networking basics (ports, protocols, routing), Linux and Windows administration, command‑line fluency, and a bit of scripting (Bash/Python).

• Step 2: Follow the CEH v13 module sequence

  • Study each module, complete the associated labs, then reinforce with the mini‑CTFs. This keeps your learning hands‑on and memorable.

• Step 3: Use reputable supplemental platforms

  • PortSwigger Web Security Academy for web and SQLi.

  • TryHackMe or Hack The Box for guided offensive scenarios.

  • OWASP Top 10 and MITRE ATT&CK to connect techniques to real‑world patterns.

• Step 4: Simulate exam conditions

  • For CEH (knowledge): do timed blocks of 50–75 questions; target 80%+.

  • For CEH Practical: run full 6‑hour practice sessions—recon to report—so time pressure doesn’t surprise you.

A sample 8–10 week plan (for students with basic IT knowledge):

• Weeks 1–2: Networking/Linux refresh; modules on footprinting, scanning, enumeration. Do all labs.

• Weeks 3–5: Vulnerability analysis, system hacking; web app/SQLi modules; complete module CTFs.

• Weeks 6–7: Wireless, mobile/IoT/OT, cloud, cryptography; timed question sets for knowledge exam.

• Week 8: Full-length mock exam; fix weaknesses; schedule CEH right away.

• Weeks 9–10: Transition to CEH Practical prep. Two end‑to‑end 6‑hour mock runs focusing on reporting and reproducibility.

Actionable takeaway: Treat CEH Practical like a real engagement. Prepare a short report template you can complete under time pressure—this habit boosts your score and builds a professional portfolio sample.

Career Value, DoD Roles, and ROI

Why CEH is a strong early‑career move:

• Recognition: CEH is well known among HR and recruiters, especially in government and large enterprises.

• DoD alignment: CEH (and CEH Practical) are approved as baseline certifications for various DoD 8140 roles, keeping CEH on many federal and contractor job postings.

• Market outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts had a median pay of roughly $124,910 (May 2024), with 29% projected growth through 2034—well above average.

Where CEH shines:

• Getting interviews for junior offensive roles, vulnerability assessment positions, SOC/blue‑to‑red transition tracks, and DoD‑related billets.

• Pairing with a practical certification (CEH Practical, OSCP, or GIAC GPEN) to demonstrate hands‑on mastery for pure penetration testing roles.

Actionable takeaway: For maximum ROI, aim for CEH + CEH Practical (CEH Master) if you’re targeting offensive roles or government work—it showcases both knowledge and real‑world capability.

Real‑World Application: How CEH Skills Show Up on the Job

CEH emphasizes workflows you’ll actually use:

• Recon and scanning to map assets and discover attack surface.

• Exploitation and post‑exploitation to validate and prioritize risk.

• Lateral movement and privilege escalation to show business impact.

• Evidence collection and reporting to drive remediation and measurable improvements.

Many organizations run continuous vulnerability assessments and periodic penetration tests; CEH‑style methodology fits both. The v13 model’s “Engage” and monthly CTFs simulate real‑world challenges so you can practice under constraints.

Actionable takeaway: Keep a lab journal. Record commands, payloads, parameters, and outcomes as you practice. This creates a personalized “playbook” for CEH Practical and future interviews.

Training Options and Picking the Right Bundle

Common routes:

• On‑demand (self‑paced): Best if you need flexibility or are balancing school/work; often includes courseware, labs, and a voucher; more affordable.

• Live online: Best if you learn from instructor interaction, Q&A, and structured pacing; includes labs and a voucher.

• Academic partner programs: Often discounted for students and can integrate with degree curricula.

• Self‑study + eligibility: Cheapest for experienced learners; requires applying and paying the $100 eligibility fee, and you’ll need to source labs yourself.

Actionable takeaway: If you’re new to offensive security, choose an official bundle with labs and a voucher. If you already have strong hands‑on skills, the experience route + CEH Practical might be the fastest, most cost‑effective path to CEH Master.

CEH vs. Alternatives (and How to Combine)

• CEH: Broad, recognized baseline; strong for government/compliance contexts; great for early‑career students.

• CEH Practical: Adds hands‑on credibility; essential for offensive roles.

• OSCP: Highly respected practical exam; narrower in breadth but deeper hands‑on. Often pursued after CEH or as an alternative for pentesting focus.

• GPEN (GIAC): Respected for methodology and reporting; common in consulting contexts.

• CompTIA PenTest+: Solid baseline alternative; recognized but less tightly linked to DoD roles than CEH in many cases.

Actionable takeaway: Think “stack.” CEH for recognition and breadth, CEH Practical for hands‑on validation, and one advanced practical (OSCP or GPEN) for specialized offensive roles.

Budgeting, Timeline, and Maintenance Plan

• Typical student budget for CEH Master path:

  • CEH training bundle: ~$1,699–$2,499 (includes labs + 1 voucher).

  • CEH Practical: $550.

  • Optional retake cushion: $500.

  • Annual maintenance: $80; plus ECE activities (you can target free/low‑cost webinars and community contributions).

• Timeline suggestions:

  • Full‑time student: 8–10 weeks to CEH; 3–4 more weeks to CEH Practical.

  • Part‑time (work + school): 12–16 weeks total.

Actionable takeaway: Book both exams while you’re in momentum. After CEH, schedule CEH Practical within 3–4 weeks to leverage everything fresh in your head.

Pro Tips for Exam Day and Beyond

• For CEH (knowledge):

  • Budget your time: ~1.8 minutes per question. Flag tough ones and keep moving.

  • Expect situational questions: “Which tool/technique is best in this scenario?”

  • Read carefully—options may be subtly different.

• For CEH Practical:

  • Don’t get stuck: If you spend >20–25 minutes blocked, pivot to another target.

  • Document as you go: Screenshots, commands, hashes, timestamps—assemble your report quickly at the end.

  • Manage your checklist: Recon → Enumeration → Exploitation → Post‑Exploitation → Cleanup → Reporting.

Actionable takeaway: Build a lightweight reporting template (findings, impact, evidence, remediation). It boosts your Practical score and helps you communicate like a consultant.

FAQs

Q1: Is CEH training required to take the exam? A1: No. If you have 2+ years of relevant InfoSec experience, you can apply for eligibility (with a $100 fee). Otherwise, official training automatically qualifies you to sit the exam.

Q2: What score do I need to pass CEH? A2: The passing score varies by exam form, generally between 60–85%. Aim for 75–80%+ on practice exams to be safe.

Q3: Can I take CEH online? A3: Yes. You can take CEH online via EC‑Council Remote Proctoring (RPS) or at Pearson VUE test centers.

Q4: How long are exam vouchers valid? A4: Typically 1 year from the date of issue. Extensions are often available for a fee—avoid last‑minute scheduling.

Q5: How do I become a CEH Master? A5: Pass the CEH knowledge exam and the CEH Practical hands‑on exam.

Conclusion: If you’re a student or early‑career learner, CEH is a powerful springboard into ethical hacking. It gives you the structure, recognition, and hands‑on practice to stand out—especially when you complete CEH Practical and earn CEH Master. Start with a focused study plan, choose the right bundle for your budget, and book your exams to keep momentum. You’ve got this.