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The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) qualification continues to be a leading option for cybersecurity experts in 2025. The CEH certification from EC-Council demonstrates that an individual is equipped to think like a hacker and utilize similar methods to evaluate computer systems, detect security vulnerabilities, and resolve them before malicious hackers can take advantage of them. With the rising fascination in ethical hacking, the expenses associated with obtaining the CEH certification depend on elements such as exam charges, training fees, study resources, and retake costs if the exam isn’t passed on the first attempt. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly review all these expenses prior to pursuing the CEH certification. This article outlines all the essential factors to consider regarding the costs related to acquiring the CEH certification in 2025.

Table of Contents:

• What is CEH Certification?
• Levels of CEH Certification
• CEH Certification Requirements
• Cost of CEH Certification
• CEH Exam Retake Policy and Cost
• Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Average Salary of a Certified Ethical Hacker
• Benefits of CEH Certification
• Challenges and Common Errors in CEH Preparation
• Distinction between CEH and Other Courses
• Career Prospects for CEH-Certified Professionals
• Conclusion

What is CEH Certification?

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification is a professional credential granted by the EC-Council that validates a candidate’s expertise in ethical hacking and foundational cybersecurity principles. The central concept of the CEH certification is to prepare you to think and behave like a hacker, allowing you to identify and rectify vulnerabilities within systems and networks. It affirms your ability to employ the same tools and strategies as hackers, but within a legal and ethical framework to assist organizations in enhancing their security. It also stands as one of the most recognized certifications in the cybersecurity domain and is highly esteemed for roles such as penetration tester, security analyst, and cybersecurity consultant.

Levels of CEH Certification

1. CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) – Entry Level

This basic certification assesses your fundamental understanding of ethical hacking, encompassing the tools and techniques utilized. The exam is multiple-choice and evaluates your knowledge on identifying and leveraging system vulnerabilities in a lawful and ethical manner.

2. CEH Practical

This tests your practical abilities by presenting you with real hacking challenges in a secure, lab-based setup. It demonstrates your capability to utilize what you have learned to address actual cybersecurity issues.

3. CEH Master

This is not a certification but a title awarded by EC-Council when the candidate successfully passes both the CEH Theoretical (entry-level) exam and the CEH Practical exam. Being designated as a CEH Master signifies that you have attained an advanced level of expertise in ethical hacking and penetration testing that merges both theoretical knowledge and practical application.

CEH Certification Requirements

To qualify for the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, candidates must satisfy one of the eligibility criteria set forth by the EC-Council:

1. Complete Official CEH Training: The candidate must finish the official CEH training through EC-Council or an authorized training partner. No previous experience is necessary if this official training is completed.

2. Self-study (without formal training): Applicants must present proof of at least 2 years of experience in a role linked to information security. A non-refundable eligibility application fee of ₹8,300 to ₹8,500 must be submitted. Approval from EC-Council is mandatory before registering for the exam.

3. Educational background (alternative): A degree in a cybersecurity-related discipline may be accepted as experience subject to EC-Council approval.

Cost of Official CEH Certification

The following are estimated costs for the certification, which may vary depending on the training institution or year. This reflects the projected costs for 2025.

• CEH Theory Exam (Knowledge Exam): ₹79000 approx.
• CEH Practical Exam: ₹46000 approx.
• Combined CEH Master Package (theory + practical): ₹99,000 approx.
• Application Fee (for self-study candidates): ₹8300 approx.
• Official training (self-paced or instructor-led): ₹1,00,000-₹3,50,000 approx.
• Annual Membership Fee (for lifetime certification): ₹6600 per annum or ₹19,800 for 3 years.

CEH Exam Retake Policy and Cost

If you do not pass…
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pass the CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) examination on your initial attempt; however, you can retake the examination under specific circumstances and fees.

1. Retake Guidelines

1. Initial Attempt: Included with your examination voucher (if acquired). 

2. Unsuccessful Initial Attempt: 

• You will need to buy a new examination voucher to attempt the exam again.
• No cooling-off interval is required between the two attempts.

3. Further Attempts: If you do not succeed on a second or more occasions, a mandatory 14-day cooling-off period is enforced between each attempt.

4. Maximum Attempts: You can take the examination a maximum of five times within a year. 

5. Compulsory Training (After 5 Unsuccessful Attempts): If all five attempts fail, you will be required to complete official EC-Council training before being permitted to retake the exam. 

2. Expenses for Retaking the Examination 

• Cost of Retake Exam Voucher: Approximately ₹79,000 per attempt (same fee as the original exam). 
• Typically, no discounts for retakes will be provided unless they are included in a training package.

Scholarships and Financial Support

In 2025, EC-Council allocated around ₹8.3 crore in CEH Practical scholarship funds to over 2,000 cybersecurity professionals globally, with a significant portion distributed in India. The scholarship encompasses funding for the CEH Practical exam fee, which is a case study evaluation lasting 6 hours and utilizing real-life scenarios.

1. C|CT (Certified Cybersecurity Technician) Scholarship 

• This scholarship offers financial aid for EC-Council’s foundational cybersecurity program.
• The scholarship covers tuition, course materials, textbooks, and coursework; however, a nominal fee (approximately ₹16,500) for exam proctoring and technology is required. 

2. Women’s Cybersecurity Scholarship 

• EC-Council University also awards scholarships up to $2,000 (~ 1.65 lakh rupees) to high-achieving women graduating from EC-Council-supported cybersecurity competitions. 
• The scholarships are distributed based on the number of credits taken in a term and paid incrementally. 

3. EC-Council Hero Scholarship 

For veterans, active military personnel, and first responders, EC-Council offers scholarships to assist them in obtaining cybersecurity credentials. 

4. Discounts and Promotions 

EC-Council frequently provides promotions and discounts, particularly during Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, featuring reduced prices on training bundles and examination vouchers.

5. Academic Collaborations

Students and faculty affiliated with EC-Council’s academic partners can access discounted examination vouchers and training resources.

6. Employer Sponsorship

Numerous organizations finance certification fees for employees, especially when the certification aligns with their job responsibilities.

Typical Salary of a Certified Ethical Hacker

Globally: Typical CEH Salaries

Country	Salary Range
United States	$80,000 to $120,000 USD annually
United Kingdom	£45,000 to £70,000 GBP annually
Canada	CAD 75,000 to CAD 110,000 annually
United Arab Emirates (UAE)	AED 180,000 to AED 300,000 annually
Australia	AUD 90,000 to AUD 130,000 annually
Germany	€55,000 to €85,000 EUR annually
Singapore	SGD 70,000 to SGD 110,000 annually

In India: Typical CEH Salaries

• Entry Level (0–2 years): ₹3.5 lakh to ₹6 lakh annually
• Mid Level (3–5 years): ₹6 lakh to ₹12 lakh annually
• Senior Level (5+ years):₹12 lakh to ₹25 lakh or more annually

Salary figures are affected by factors including location, experience, job position, sector, and additional certifications.

Comparison between CEH and Other Certifications

Certification	Level	Key Distinctions
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)	Advanced	Broader managerial emphasis on security policy and risk management; less hands-on.
OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)	Advanced	In-depth technical hands-on penetration testing experience in a time-constrained lab environment.
CompTIA Security+	Entry-level	An excellent foundational course covering basic/general cybersecurity topics.

Advantages of CEH Certification

1. Compliance Advantages: The CEH is advantageous for government and defense positions as it meets essential standards like DoD 8570.

2. Global Recognition: CEH is a well-regarded and esteemed cybersecurity certification acknowledged by various industries worldwide.

3. Broadened Career Opportunities: It paves the way for more roles such as ethical hacker, penetration tester, security analyst, etc.

4. Practical Learning: The CEH curriculum imparts practical capabilities and tools utilized in actual ethical hacking.

5. Elevated Salary Potential: CEH professionals generally command higher salaries based on their validated skill set and reputation.

Solid Foundation for Advanced Qualifications: CEH establishes a robust groundwork to seek higher-level certifications like OSCP or CISSP.

Challenges and Common Errors in CEH Preparation

There are a number of challenges encountered by the practitioner. Here are
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the obstacles and frequent errors they encounter.

Obstacles in CEH Preparation

1. Reliance on Theory: Typically, candidates concentrate solely on memorising principles instead of comprehending them in a practical way, related to their real-world applications.

2. Insufficient Hands-On Experience: The CEH examination evaluates practical knowledge; thus, bypassing labs and simulations can result in a lack of real-world experience when tackling practical queries.

3. Utilizing Outdated Study Resources: Employing outdated or unofficial study resources risks missing out on the latest CEH exam version and objectives.

4. Time Management Challenges: Balancing exam preparation with work and/or schooling can be quite difficult, which can result in irregular study habits or struggles with time management during study sessions.

5. Not Adhering to the Exam Framework: If your study schedule does not align with the official exam domains and objectives provided by EC-Council, you may overlook essential topics.

Frequent Errors Candidates Make

1. Skipping the CEH Practical Exam (optional): Although it’s optional, omitting the CEH Practical Exam diminishes your credibility for hands-on roles in cybersecurity.

2. Neglecting Practice Exams: Not taking any mock tests reduces your ability to manage your time efficiently, leading to uncertainty about how to approach the questioning style of the CEH Exam.

3. Memorizing Without Comprehension: Rote memorization of tools and commands without attempting to grasp how they relate to penetration testing scenarios and the real world.

4. Overlooking Soft Skills and Ethics: Understanding the legal and ethical obligations of ethical hackers is crucial for the exam and should not be overlooked.

5. Procrastinating with Last-Minute Study: Cramming at the last minute only adds stress, lowers retention, and ultimately impacts performance negatively.

Methods to Avoid These Errors

• Ensure thorough study of Ethical hacking from the ground up and cover the exam syllabus comprehensively.
• Utilize recent and official EC-Council resources and lab settings.
• Engage in numerous practice exams and meticulously assess your weak points.
• Allocate equal time to theoretical studies and practical lab work.
• Regularly revisit your study materials and build self-assurance by maintaining a steady study routine and rhythm.

Avoiding these pitfalls will significantly enhance your confidence in passing the CEH exam and achieving success in the cybersecurity field.

What Distinguishes the CEH v13 Ethical Hacking Course by Intellipaat

The CEH v13 Ethical Hacking Course by Intellipaat delivers a thorough and practical learning experience, effectively preparing learners for roles in cybersecurity. Key features include:

1. Appropriate for both novices and seasoned professionals pursuing CEH certification and careers in cybersecurity.
2. Industry-relevant syllabus aligned with the latest standards of CEH v13.
3. Focus on practical applications through hands-on labs and realistic simulations.
4. Experienced instructors guide students through case studies and experiential learning.
5. Flexible learning options with career support and engagement in a robust peer community.

Job Prospects for CEH-Certified Individuals

1. Ethical Hacker/Penetration Tester: This role involves simulating cyberattacks to uncover and fix vulnerabilities within systems.

2. Cybersecurity Analyst: Responsible for monitoring security systems, investigating threats, and responding to incidents.

3. Information Security Analyst: tasked with designing and implementing security protocols to safeguard an organization’s IT infrastructure.

4. Security Consultant: Offers guidance to organizations on best practices, policy formulation, risk assessments, and compliance.

5. Network Security Engineer: Specializes in fortifying network architecture, firewalls, and access credentials management.

6. Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst: Functions in Security Operations Centre settings, monitoring for cyber threats and reacting to incidents in real-time.

7. Analyst/Threat Analyst: Analyses malicious software to comprehend its functionalities and devise methods for detecting and thwarting cyber threats.

8. Auditor/Compliance Analyst: Evaluates and audits an organization’s IT systems to ensure adherence to security standards, policies, procedures, and essential compliance regulations.

Industries That Recruit CEH Professionals

• Information Technology (IT)
• Banking/Finance
• Government/Defense
• Healthcare
• E-Commerce
• Telecommunications
• Consulting Firms

Obtaining a CEH certification not only bolsters your resume but also broadens your avenues for cybersecurity roles in many high-demand sectors globally. The growing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats are generating a need for adept ethical hackers across nearly every industry.

Conclusion

Acquiring the CEH certification demonstrates robust skills in ethical hacking and practical cybersecurity methodologies highly esteemed globally. Despite the time, effort, and financial investment required, the certification enhances job prospects, builds credibility, and fosters career advancement in a competitive field. Striking a balance between theoretical insights and real-world application empowers candidates to effectively tackle contemporary cybersecurity challenges. In summary, the CEH certification represents a pivotal step in advancing within the rapidly evolving domain of cybersecurity.

For more information about the certification, visit the Ethical Hacking CEH-v13 Certification, and prepare for your interview with our Cyber Security Interview Questions curated by industry experts.

CEH Certification Expenses – FAQs

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