EC-Council CEH Exam Cost: What You Need To Know

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification from EC-Council is a highly recognized and respected credential in the cybersecurity industry. It validates a professional’s ability to think and act like a hacker, (in an ethical manner), and protect networks and systems from cyber threats.

However, getting CEH-certified isn’t just about passing the exam; it requires an investment of time and money. Understanding the full cost of CEH certification can help you budget effectively and choose the right preparation path.

Today we’ll break down the CEH exam and the associated training costs, along with additional fees and renewal expenses. We’ll also go over some strategies that will help you manage and reduce your certification costs. Finally, we’ll show you Cyberkraft’s CEH Certification training programs that will help prepare you for your CEH exam.

Whether you’re planning to self-study or enroll in an official training program, like Cyberkraft’s CEH Bootcamp, this guide will help you understand what to expect financially.

Breakdown of CEH Exam and Training Costs

The total cost of obtaining the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification depends on several factors, including the exam fee, training expenses, and administrative costs. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each component:

CEH Exam Fees

The cost of the CEH exam varies based on where you purchase your exam voucher and how you choose to take the test.

EC-Council Exam Voucher (Direct Purchase) – $950
- This option allows you to take the CEH exam through EC-Council’s own testing platform.
Pearson VUE Exam Voucher – $1,199
- If you prefer to take the exam at a Pearson VUE test center, you’ll need to pay the higher fee.
Remote Proctoring Service (RPS) – $550
- This is a cheaper alternative if you take the CEH exam online under EC-Council’s remote proctoring system.

CEH Training Costs

While training is not required to take the CEH exam, it’s highly recommended—especially if you’re new to penetration testing or ethical hacking. EC-Council offers multiple training options:

CEH On-Demand Course – $2,199
- Includes self-paced video training, eBooks, labs, and an exam voucher.
CEH Live Online Training – $3,499
- Offers instructor-led training, hands-on labs, and exam preparation.
CEH eCourseware (Self-Paced) – $850
- This is a budget-friendly option that includes only study materials (no exam voucher).
CEH Unlimited Subscription – $2,999
- Grants access to multiple EC-Council courses, including CEH, for a full year.

Other Essential CEH Costs

If you choose to self-study instead of taking an official EC-Council course, there are a few additional fees to consider:

Application Fee – $100 (For self-study candidates)
- Required if you are not taking EC-Council’s official training and need to prove two years of relevant work experience.
Administration Fee – $100
- Covers administrative costs for exam processing.

By understanding these costs upfront, you can better decide whether to self-study or enroll in an official course.

Additional Fees and Renewal Expenses

Beyond the initial exam and training costs, there are ongoing fees and potential retake costs to consider. Whether you pass on your first attempt or need to renew your certification down the road, it’s important to understand these additional expenses.

CEH Exam Retake Fees

If you don’t pass the CEH exam on your first attempt, you’ll need to pay a fee to retake it:

With Official EC-Council Training: $100 (administration fee per retake)
Without Official EC-Council Training: $499 (full retake voucher)

Since self-study candidates pay significantly more to retake the exam, investing in proper preparation is crucial to avoid extra costs. Cybkerkraft’s CEH v13 Bootcamp offers a first pass guarantee and if you don’t pass on your first try, they’ll pay for your second attempt.

CEH Certification Renewal Costs

The CEH certification is valid for three years, after which you must renew it to maintain your credentials.

To qualify for renewal, you must:

Earn 120 Continuing Education Credits (ECEs) over three years.
Pay an Annual Membership Fee of $80 (or $240 for the full three-year period).

Maintaining CEH with Continuing Education

If you plan to maintain your CEH certification long-term, you’ll need to participate in cybersecurity training, conferences, or additional certifications to earn ECE credits. Some common ways to earn credits include:

Attending cybersecurity workshops or conferences
Taking additional EC-Council training courses
Publishing research in cybersecurity journals
Teaching ethical hacking or cybersecurity courses

While the renewal process adds to the total cost of certification, staying up to date with industry trends is valuable for your career growth as well as being required to maintain your certification.

Strategies to Manage and Reduce CEH Certification Costs

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification can be a significant investment, but there are ways to reduce costs and make the process more affordable. Here are some practical strategies to help you save money while earning your certification.

1. Choose Between Self-Study and Official Training

If you have two or more years of cybersecurity experience, you may be eligible to self-study and purchase just the exam voucher ($950) instead of paying for an official training course.
If you’re new to ethical hacking, training might be worth the investment to help you pass on your first attempt and avoid retake fees.

2. Look for Discounts and Bundle Deals

EC-Council occasionally offers discounts and promotions on training and exam vouchers—keep an eye on their website or social media for special offers.
Some training providers offer bundled packages that include the exam voucher, study materials, and labs at a lower cost than purchasing separately.

3. Use Employer Sponsorship or Tuition Reimbursement

Many companies cover certification costs for employees as part of professional development programs. Check if your employer offers reimbursement for cybersecurity training and exams.
If you’re in the military, government, or an educational institution, you may be eligible for discounted pricing through EC-Council’s programs.

4. Plan for Recertification Costs

Since CEH renewal requires 120 ECE credits, look for free or low-cost ways to earn them, such as attending cybersecurity webinars, writing blog articles, or taking related courses.
Paying the annual $80 membership fee is more manageable than paying $240 all at once—plan ahead to avoid unexpected costs.

5. Consider Alternative Training Providers

While EC-Council’s official training is widely recognized, third-party providers often offer CEH courses at a lower price with similar quality. One such provider is Cyberkraft, an EC-Council accredited training center, who we’ll talk about in the next section.

By using these strategies, you can significantly cut down on CEH certification costs without sacrificing the quality of your training.

Cyberkraft CEH Certification Bootcamp

If you’re looking for a more cost-effective and high-quality way to prepare for the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) exam, Cyberkraft is an excellent alternative to EC-Council’s official training. Cyberkraft offers a comprehensive CEH v13 Bootcamp that can help you pass the exam on your first attempt while saving money compared to EC-Council’s direct courses.

Cyberkraft is recognized as an EC-Council Accredited Training Center. We use the official course materials. Access all of the official EC-Council CEH v13 course materials, including comprehensive training, hands-on learning labs, practice cyber ranges for engagement, certification assessments, cyber competitions, and opportunities for continuous learning.

Cyberkraft’s EC-Council CEH v13 Training Bootcamp includes:

40 Hours of Live Instruction
Official EC-Council CEH v13 eCourseware
Unlimited Practice Exam Attempts
Lifetime Access to Cyberkraft Training Materials and Boot Camp Recordings
Next Version eCourseware
Exam Voucher for CEH v13 ANSI
Ethical Hacking Video Library
6 Months Official Labs
CEH Engage
Global CEH Challenge Competitions
First Time Exam Pass Guarantee
Career Assistance

By the end of your CEH v13 Bootcamp, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel as a certified ethical hacker. Cyberkraft is trusted by industry leaders and government agencies, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, L3 Harris, SAIC and others,

If you’d rather learn at your own pace, Cyberkraft also offers a CEH Self-Paced Course and Voucher Bundle that includes:

Official EC-Council iLabs
Official EC-Council e-Courseware
Exam Voucher

By choosing Cyberkraft, you can get high-quality CEH training at a fraction of the cost, making certification more accessible without sacrificing preparation quality. And we guarantee you’ll pass your CEH exam on your first attempt.

Get Your CEH Certification Today

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is a valuable credential for cybersecurity professionals, but understanding the full cost of certification is essential before committing. From exam fees and training costs to renewal expenses and retake fees, planning ahead can help you manage the financial investment effectively.

Contact Cyberkraft today if you’re looking for a high-quality, cost-effective CEH training option. Cyberkraft offers expert-led courses, hands-on labs, and flexible learning options to help you succeed.

If you’re exploring cybersecurity certifications, you might also want to compare CEH with other ethical hacking credentials like CompTIA PenTest+ to find the best fit for your career goals.