Imagine waking up to news about a cyberattack targeting hospitals, banks, or government systems. Now, imagine you are the ethical hacker who prevented that attack. That’s what Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH) do every day. They think like hackers to beat hackers.
In this detailed guide, we’ll break down CEH certification requirements, CEH exam registration, cost, prerequisites, and salary potential in simple, easy words so you can confidently plan your cybersecurity career.
- ✅ CEH Certification Prerequisites: What You Need to Know Before Applying
- 📝 CEH Exam Registration Process: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
- 💲 CEH Certification Cost: What Should You Budget For?
- 🕒 How Long to Study for CEH Certification?
- 🎓 CEH Certification Free Options: Is It Possible?
- 💼 CEH Certification Salary: How Much Can You Earn as a Certified Ethical Hacker?
- 🚀 Your Step-by-Step Action Plan to CEH Certification Requirements
- ✨ Final Thoughts: Is CEH Certification Worth It?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about CEH Certification
✅ CEH Certification Prerequisites: What You Need to Know Before Applying
Before diving into CEH exam registration, understand the certified ethical hacker requirements. You have two main paths to meet the CEH prerequisites:
🔹 1. The Work Experience Route
To qualify via experience:
- You need at least two years of work experience in information security or related fields like:
- Network security
- Systems administration
- Web application security
- Cloud security
- Cryptography
- Network security
You must provide documented proof of your experience when applying to EC-Council.
🔹 2. The Training Program Route (CEH certification requirements)
If you don’t have two years of experience, don’t worry. You can:
- Complete an official CEH training course by EC-Council or its Accredited Training Centers.
These courses teach ethical hacking techniques, malware analysis, system hacking, reconnaissance, and penetration testing – all the skills you need to pass the exam and work professionally.
📝 CEH Exam Registration Process: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Once you meet the CEH certification prerequisites, here is how to register:
- Choose Your Eligibility Route: Decide between work experience or training route.
- Apply Online: Submit your application on the EC-Council CEH registration portal.
- Pay the Application Fee: $100 (non-refundable).
- Wait for Approval: Takes 5-10 business days.
- Purchase Exam Voucher: Buy from the EC-Council Store or an authorized partner.
💲 CEH Certification Cost: What Should You Budget For?
The CEH certification cost depends on your chosen route:
- Application Fee: $100
- Exam Voucher: ~$1,199
- Official Training Course: $850 – $3,500
- Bootcamps: $850 – $5,000 depending on format and duration
💡 Pro Tip: Many employers reimburse CEH certification costs under professional development benefits.
🕒 How Long to Study for CEH Certification?
“How long to study for CEH certification?” is one of the most common questions.
- Official CEH training bootcamp: 40 hours (usually 5 days)
- Self-study candidates: 1-3 months with consistent daily study and practice labs
💡 Anecdote
Samira, a helpdesk analyst, studied 2 hours daily for 3 months after work using iLabs. She passed her CEH exam on the first try and landed a penetration testing job within weeks. Consistency, she says, was her winning formula.
“Knowing the CEH certification requirements helps you start your journey before moving to practical ethical hacking skills in real life.”
🎓 CEH Certification Free Options: Is It Possible?
While the CEH certification itself isn’t free, you can:
- Access free CEH prep videos on YouTube.
- Study from Open Security Training for foundational knowledge.
- Apply for scholarships or employer-sponsored programs to offset costs.
However, official CEH exam registration and certification fees still apply.
💼 CEH Certification Salary: How Much Can You Earn as a Certified Ethical Hacker?
Holding a CEH certification can greatly boost your income.
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
| Penetration Tester | $85,000 – $130,000 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $75,000 – $110,000 |
| Security Consultant | $90,000 – $125,000 |
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 33% growth for cybersecurity jobs by 2033 – much faster than most industries.
🚀 Your Step-by-Step Action Plan to CEH Certification Requirements
Here’s a quick summary to achieve your Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) dreams:
- Check CEH prerequisites: Experience or training.
- Choose your route:
- Two years’ work experience, or
- Official CEH training course
- Two years’ work experience, or
- Complete CEH exam registration with EC-Council.
- Pay application and exam fees.
- Study consistently (recommend 2-3 months for self-study).
- Pass the CEH exam: 125 MCQs in 4 hours.
- Maintain your certification: Earn 120 Continuing Education Credits (ECE) every three years.
✨ Final Thoughts: Is CEH Certification Worth It?
If you dream of a thrilling career protecting organizations from cybercriminals, CEH certification is absolutely worth it. It equips you with skills, credibility, and confidence to think like hackers and defend systems proactively.
📝 Ready to become a Certified Ethical Hacker?
Check out the official CEH certification page to kickstart your journey today with confidence.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about CEH Certification
🔹 1. Can a beginner do CEH certification?
Yes, a beginner can definitely do CEH certification. However, if you don’t have at least two years of work experience in information security, you will need to take the official CEH training course offered by EC-Council or their accredited training partners. This course will teach you all the basics and advanced concepts you need to pass the exam. Many people start with networking or IT fundamentals first before jumping into CEH to build strong foundational knowledge.
🔹 2. Does CEH require coding?
CEH certification does not require you to be a professional coder, but basic coding knowledge helps a lot. For example, understanding scripts in Python, Bash, or PowerShell can make tasks like automation, vulnerability scanning, and exploit writing easier. The exam itself focuses more on tools, techniques, and methodologies rather than deep programming. But if you want to grow further into penetration testing or advanced ethical hacking, learning to code will give you a strong advantage.
🔹 3. Which degree is best for CEH?
There is no strict degree requirement for CEH, but having a degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or Network Engineering is the most relevant. These degrees teach you about systems, networks, and security basics, which are directly useful for CEH preparation. That said, even if you have a different degree, you can still do CEH by taking the official training and learning the necessary concepts.
🔹 4. What score do I need to pass CEH?
The passing score for the CEH exam varies between 60% and 85%. This is because EC-Council uses different exam forms with varying question difficulty levels. For example, if your exam set has relatively easier questions, the passing score will be higher, and vice versa. On average, aiming for at least 75% in your practice tests is a safe target to pass the real exam with confidence.