- 1.CEH certification commands an average 18% salary premium for cybersecurity professionals (Global Knowledge 2024)
- 2.Exam costs $1,199 with 125 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours (passing score: 70%)
- 3.Requires either 2 years security experience OR completion of official EC-Council training
- 4.Most widely recognized ethical hacking certification, preferred by 60% of employers in security roles
125
Exam Questions
$1,199
Exam Cost
~65%
Pass Rate
3 Years
Validity
Why CEH Certification Matters in 2026
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is the most widely recognized ethical hacking credential globally. With cybersecurity job openings expected to reach 3.5 million unfilled positions by 2025, CEH certification provides a competitive edge in this high-demand field.
Unlike penetration testing certifications that focus on specific tools, CEH covers the broad methodology of ethical hacking, making it ideal for cybersecurity analysts, security consultants, and IT professionals transitioning into security roles.
- Industry Recognition: Endorsed by NICE (National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education) and DoD 8570 approved
- Salary Impact: 18% average premium over non-certified security professionals
- Career Mobility: Opens doors to penetration testing, security consulting, and analyst roles
- Methodology Focus: Teaches systematic approach to ethical hacking versus tool-specific training
Source: CyberSeek.org 2024 analysis of 50,000+ security job postings
CEH Exam Details and Format
The CEH v12 exam tests practical ethical hacking knowledge across 20 domains, from reconnaissance to post-exploitation techniques.
| Exam Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Code | 312-50 |
| Questions | 125 multiple choice |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% (87.5 out of 125) |
| Cost | $1,199 USD |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Recertification | 120 ECE credits or retake exam |
Core knowledge areas tested on the CEH exam, weighted by importance
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Penetration Tester
- • Security Analyst
Must know these tools for exam success and practical application
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Ethical Hacker
- • Security Consultant
CEH Eligibility Requirements
EC-Council requires candidates to meet one of two eligibility paths before taking the CEH exam:
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Choose Your CEH Eligibility Path
- You have 2+ years of information security work experience
- You can document security-related job responsibilities
- You want to skip the mandatory training cost ($4,500)
- You're already working in cybersecurity or IT security
- You have less than 2 years security experience
- You're transitioning from another IT field
- You need structured learning before the exam
- Your employer covers training costs ($4,500 + $1,199 exam)
Study Resources and Timeline
Most candidates need 3-6 months of preparation, depending on prior experience. Combine multiple resources for best results.
CEH Study Plan (4-Month Timeline)
Month 1: Foundations
Study networking fundamentals, TCP/IP, and basic Linux commands. Use CEH official courseware or Matt Walker's All-in-One guide. Set up home lab with VirtualBox.
Month 2: Reconnaissance & Scanning
Master Nmap, learn Google dorking, practice OSINT techniques. Complete labs on footprinting and network discovery. Study domains 1-3 intensively.
Month 3: Exploitation & Post-Exploitation
Learn Metasploit, practice buffer overflows, study web application attacks. Focus on domains 4-8. Build exploit scenarios in lab environment.
Month 4: Review & Practice Exams
Take 3+ practice exams, review weak areas, memorize tool commands. Final lab sessions. Schedule exam for last week of month.
Best CEH Study Resources
| Type | Community Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Official EC-Council Courseware | Official | $4,500 | 4.2/5 |
| Matt Walker All-in-One CEH Guide | Book | $45 | 4.6/5 |
| Boson ExSim Practice Tests | Practice Exams | $99 | 4.7/5 |
| CBT Nuggets CEH Course | Video Training | $59/month | 4.4/5 |
| InfoSec Institute CEH Bootcamp | Bootcamp | $2,995 | 4.3/5 |
| Cybrary CEH Course | Online (Free) | Free | 4.1/5 |
CEH vs Other Security Certifications
CEH competes with several other security certifications. Choose based on your career goals and experience level.
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| Certification | Cost | Difficulty | Experience Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEH | $1,199 | Moderate | 2 years or training | Broad ethical hacking knowledge |
| OSCP | $1,499 | Very Hard | 3+ years | Hands-on penetration testing |
| CompTIA PenTest+ | $370 | Easy-Moderate | 3-4 years | Entry-level pen testing |
| CISSP | $749 | Hard | 5 years | Security management/architecture |
| GCIH | $7,000+ | Hard | 2+ years | Incident handling |
Source: Analysis of 1,000+ pen tester LinkedIn profiles (InfoSec-Jobs.com 2024)
Career Paths and Salary Impact
CEH certification opens doors to multiple cybersecurity career paths, with significant salary premiums across all roles.
Career Paths
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Monitor networks for security breaches, investigate violations, and implement security measures.
Penetration Tester
SOC 15-1212Simulate cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
Security Consultant
SOC 15-1199Advise organizations on security best practices and help implement security solutions.
Incident Response Specialist
SOC 15-1212Respond to and investigate cybersecurity incidents, contain threats, and recover systems.
CEH Salary Impact by Experience Level
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $65,000 | $75,000 | +15% |
| Mid-Level (3-5 years) | $85,000 | $102,000 | +20% |
| Senior Level (6-10 years) | $110,000 | $128,000 | +16% |
| Expert Level (10+ years) | $140,000 | $158,000 | +13% |
CEH vs Cybersecurity Degree
CEH and cybersecurity degrees serve different purposes. Many professionals benefit from both credentials.
| Factor | CEH Certification | Cybersecurity Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Complete | 3-6 months | 2-4 years |
| Total Cost | $1,199-$5,000 | $20,000-$80,000 |
| Focus | Ethical hacking skills | Broad security concepts |
| Job Market | Specialized roles | All security positions |
| Salary Impact | +18% average | Required for senior roles |
| Renewal | Every 3 years | Never expires |
Our recommendation: For immediate career impact in ethical hacking, CEH provides faster ROI. For long-term cybersecurity leadership, combine CEH with a cybersecurity degree. Many employers value both the practical skills CEH demonstrates and the foundational knowledge a degree provides.
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A coding bootcamp is an intensive, short-term training program (typically 12-24 weeks) that teaches practical programming skills through hands-on projects. Unlike traditional degrees, bootcamps focus exclusively on job-ready skills and often include career services to help graduates land their first tech role.
Who Bootcamps Are Best For
- Career changers looking to enter tech quickly
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- Those unable to commit to a 4-year degree timeline
What People Love
Based on discussions from r/codingbootcamp, r/cscareerquestions, and r/learnprogramming
- Hands-on labs with real attack/defense scenarios
- Industry certs (Security+, CEH) often included
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Common Concerns
Honest feedback from bootcamp graduates and industry professionals
- Cost ranges $10K-$20K (ISAs available)
- Intense pace — 60+ hrs/week for full-time
- Less theoretical depth than a degree
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CEH Certification FAQ
Related Cybersecurity Certifications
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Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.