Are there ongoing CEH costs after I pass?

Yes. CEH must be renewed every three years by earning 120 ECE (continuing education) credits and paying the annual renewal/membership fee of about $80/year. Budget for that ongoing cost, not just the exam.

CEH Exam Cost in 2026: The Full Price Breakdown

Q: How much does the CEH exam cost?

The exam voucher alone is about $1,199 at a Pearson VUE test center, or around $950 with remote proctoring directly through EC-Council. If you self-study (no official training), add a $100 non-refundable eligibility application fee. So the bare minimum is roughly $1,050. EC-Council pricing varies and is bundle-heavy — confirm current figures with them.

Q: What is the cheapest way to get CEH?

The self-study route: pay the $100 eligibility fee, prove two years of infosec experience, and buy the ~$950 voucher — roughly $1,050 total. It’s cheapest on paper but requires the experience and self-discipline. If you lack the experience or want structure, you’ll need official training, which costs more.

Q: Is there a CEH retake fee?

Yes. If you failed and self-studied, a retake voucher is about $499. If you took official EC-Council training, retakes are often much cheaper (around a $100 administrative fee), and some course kits (e.g., Pro/Elite) include multiple or unlimited retakes.

Q: Does the CEH cost include training?

No — the exam voucher and training are separate. Official CEH training bundles typically run about $1,950–$3,600 depending on format and provider, and usually include the voucher plus one or more retakes. Buying just the voucher does not include any course.

Updated: June 2026 · Read time: 7 min · Level: Beginner

CEH is one of the pricier mid-level security certs, and EC-Council's pricing is notoriously hard to pin down — it's bundle-heavy and varies by channel and region. This page breaks down every cost so you know what you're really signing up for, and shows the cheapest path vs. the training route.

Quick answer

Bare minimum (self-study): ~$100 eligibility fee + ~$950 voucher = ~$1,050
Typical with official training: ~$1,950–$3,600 (bundle includes voucher + retakes)
Plus ongoing renewal: ~$80/year + continuing education

⚠️ All figures are 2026 estimates. EC-Council pricing changes, varies by region, and is usually quoted as a bundle. Always confirm with the official EC-Council CEH page.

Every cost, itemized

Cost item	Approx. (USD)	When it applies
Exam voucher (remote, EC-Council)	~$950	The cheaper proctoring option
Exam voucher (Pearson VUE center)	~$1,199	In-person test center
Eligibility application fee	$100 (non-refundable)	Only if you self-study (no official training)
Official training bundle	~$1,950–$3,600	If you take EC-Council/partner training
Retake voucher (self-study)	~$499	If you fail and didn't take official training
Retake (after official training)	~$100 admin fee	Some kits include free/multiple retakes
Renewal	~$80/year + 120 ECE credits	Every 3-year cycle, ongoing

The two paths (and what each really costs)

Path 1 — Self-study (cheapest on paper): ~$1,050 Pay the $100 eligibility fee, prove two years of infosec experience, and buy the ~$950 voucher. You prepare on your own with books, practice tests, and free resources. Cheapest route — but you need the experience to qualify and the discipline to self-prep, and a failed attempt adds a ~$499 retake.

Path 2 — Official training: ~$1,950–$3,600 Take EC-Council's (or an authorized partner's) course. This makes you eligible without the experience requirement, and bundles usually include the voucher plus one or more retake vouchers. More expensive, but it removes the eligibility hurdle and often the retake risk. Course kits differ:

Standard kit: typically 1 voucher + 1 retake
Pro kit: more retakes (often 3)
Elite kit: unlimited retakes

If you think you might need a second attempt, a kit with retakes can be cheaper than self-study + a $499 retake.

Don't forget the ongoing cost

CEH isn't a one-and-done purchase. It's valid for three years, and you keep it active by earning 120 ECE (continuing education) credits over the cycle and paying the annual renewal/membership fee (~$80/year). Factor roughly $240 over three years plus your time for continuing education into the true cost of ownership.

How to keep the cost down

Use the remote proctoring voucher (~~$950) instead of the test center (~~$1,199) if you're comfortable testing from home.
If you qualify on experience, self-study — it skips the expensive training.
Don't pay for a retake you can avoid — only book when you're scoring well on practice exams. (CEH's cut score varies ~60%–85% by exam form; see the CEH guide.)
Check employer sponsorship — many security teams will fund CEH, especially for government/DoD-track roles.
Watch for legitimate EC-Council promotions, but only buy vouchers from EC-Council or authorized resellers (never "dumps" sellers).

Is the cost worth it?

That's the real question at ~$1,000+. CEH pays off when a job you want lists it or you need a DoD-approved baseline; it's poor value if you're a beginner, on a budget, or chasing hands-on credibility. We break that down in Is CEH worth it?, and cover earning potential in the CEH salary guide.

FAQ

How much does the CEH exam cost? The voucher alone is ~$1,199 (test center) or ~$950 (EC-Council remote), plus a $100 eligibility fee if you self-study — roughly $1,050 minimum. Confirm current pricing with EC-Council.

What is the cheapest way to get CEH? Self-study: $100 eligibility fee + ~~$950 voucher (~~$1,050 total), if you have the two years of experience to qualify. Training is pricier but removes the experience requirement.

Is there a CEH retake fee? Yes — about $499 if you self-studied, or roughly a $100 admin fee after official training. Some training kits include multiple or unlimited retakes.

Does the CEH cost include training? No — voucher and training are separate. Official bundles (~$1,950–$3,600) combine them and usually add retakes.

Are there ongoing CEH costs? Yes — renewal every 3 years via 120 ECE credits plus ~$80/year. Budget for it beyond the exam.

Figures are 2026 estimates from EC-Council and public sources; pricing is bundle-dependent and changes often. Always confirm current costs on the official EC-Council site before you buy.

→ Related: CEH full guide · Is CEH worth it? · CEH salary