SecurityDecember 21, 202514 min read

CEH v13 (Certified Ethical Hacker): Complete Guide 2026

Reviewed by certified IT professionals • About our team

Learn to think like a hacker to defend your organization.

CEH v13 certification guide covering ethical hacking phases and penetration testing methodology

What is CEH?

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) from EC-Council teaches you to think like a hacker to better defend systems. CEH v13, the latest version, introduces an AI-powered framework integrated throughout the ethical hacking curriculum, preparing professionals to leverage AI across all five ethical hacking phases.

CEH is on the U.S. DoD 8570/8140 approved baseline list and is widely valued by security teams globally.

Quick Exam Facts (CEH v13)

  • Duration: 4 hours (Knowledge Exam)
  • Format: 125 multiple choice questions
  • Passing Score: 60-85% (varies by question pool)
  • Cost: $950 - $1,199 USD
  • Practical Exam: 6 hours, 20 real challenges (for CEH Master)
  • Validity: 3 years (requires 120 ECE credits)

The Five Ethical Hacking Phases

CEH covers the complete ethical hacking methodology:

  • Phase 1: Reconnaissance - Gathering information about targets
  • Phase 2: Scanning - Identifying vulnerabilities and entry points
  • Phase 3: Gaining Access - Exploiting vulnerabilities
  • Phase 4: Maintaining Access - Persistence and privilege escalation
  • Phase 5: Covering Tracks - Evidence removal and stealth

CEH v13 Course Modules (20 Modules)

ModuleTopic
1Introduction to Ethical Hacking
2Footprinting and Reconnaissance
3Scanning Networks
4Enumeration
5Vulnerability Analysis
6System Hacking
7Malware Threats
8Sniffing
9Social Engineering
10Denial-of-Service
11-20Web/App Security, Cryptography, Cloud, IoT

What's New in CEH v13

  • AI-Powered Framework: AI techniques integrated across all phases
  • 550+ Attack Techniques: Comprehensive coverage
  • 200+ Hands-on Labs: Practical experience
  • 3,500+ Hacking Tools: Industry-standard toolkit

CEH Certifications Path

  • CEH (ANSI): Knowledge-based exam only
  • CEH Master: Knowledge + Practical exams
  • CEH Practical: 6-hour hands-on assessment

Career Impact

  • Average salary: $95,000 - $130,000 USD
  • Penetration tester and red team roles
  • Required for many government security positions
  • Stepping stone to advanced offensive security certs

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