Fact checkCEH Practical
CEH Practical and CEH Master: what they add to the knowledge exam
The CEH Practical is EC-Council's optional hands-on exam: 20 challenges in six hours on a cyber range, proctored online. Pass it and the 125-question knowledge exam, and EC-Council awards CEH Master (as of Oct 11, 2026).
- Exam
- 312-50
- Checked
- Oct 11, 2026
- Source
- EC-Council certification site, CEH Practical
Knowledge exam vs Practical
| Exam | CEH (312-50) | CEH Practical |
|---|---|---|
| Format (differs) | 125 multiple-choice questions | 20 hands-on challenges |
| Time (differs) | 4 hours | 6 hours |
| Where (differs) | Remote proctoring or a Pearson VUE test center | Online proctored, on a cyber range |
| Cut score | 60% to 85%, set per form | 60% to 85%, set per form |
| Eligibility | EC-Council training, or two years of experience plus a $100 application | EC-Council training, or two years of experience plus a $100 application |
| Needed for CEH (differs) | Yes | No, optional |
| Price (differs) | $950 remote voucher | Sold as a package: $1,250 remote, $1,499 with Pearson VUE |
Tinted rows marked ≠: the two differ.
How the credentials stack
Is it worth adding?
Rank it by what it buys. The Practical adds nothing to your CEH result and is not required for it. What you get is a hands-on credential, the CEH Master title, and evidence an employer cannot read off a multiple-choice pass.
Price it as a package. EC-Council's store sells CEH plus the Practical for $1,250 with remote proctoring, $300 more than the $950 remote voucher alone; the CEH exam cost breakdown lists the other fees. Version details for the knowledge exam are on the CEH v13 page.
If hands-on proof is the real goal, look at longer practical exams before you decide. OffSec's OSCP runs a 24-hour proctored exam; the CEH vs OSCP comparison and the list of penetration testing certifications show where a 6-hour range exam sits among them.
Practical and Master, briefly
Who can take the CEH Practical?
The same two routes as the knowledge exam: EC-Council training, or two years of experience plus the $100 eligibility application (CEH Practical page, Oct 11, 2026).
Is CEH Master a separate exam?
No. EC-Council awards it to candidates who pass both the 125-question knowledge exam and the CEH Practical (CEH Master page, Oct 11, 2026).
Does the Practical carry a renewal fee?
EC-Council's continuing education fees page lists $80 a year for CEH and the CEH Practical (Oct 11, 2026).
Sources
- EC-Council certification site, CEH Practical
- EC-Council, CEH Master
- EC-Council, Certified Ethical Hacker program page
- EC-Council store, CEH + CEH Practical voucher
- EC-Council store, CEH VUE + CEH Practical voucher
- EC-Council store, CEH Exam Voucher (RPS)
- EC-Council, continuing education fees
- EC-Council certification FAQ
- OffSec, PEN-200 and OSCP