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Fact checkRetake policy

Failed the CEH? The retake rules, step by step

After a failed CEH attempt you can book the second try straight away. From the third attempt on, EC-Council requires 14 days between tries and caps you at five attempts in 12 months (retake policy, Oct 11, 2026).

Exam
312-50
Checked
Oct 11, 2026
Source
EC-Council, exam retake policy

Wait before the second attempt

0days

No waiting period before the first retake. The third, fourth and fifth attempts each need 14 days, and five attempts in 12 months is the limit, followed by a 12-month wait.

Source: EC-Council, exam retake policy · checked

The day after the transcript

Failing after four hours of concentration hurts, and the transcript arrives before you have left the room. Give it a day before you decide what to do. The useful part is on that transcript: your achieved score next to your form's cut score, which tells you how far off you were. The CEH passing score explainer covers how those two numbers relate.

Then triage. Pick your two weakest areas by blueprint weight (blueprint v5.0, checked Oct 11, 2026): a gap in the 24% Network and Perimeter domain costs more than one in a 5% domain. EC-Council's FAQ says section scores do not map one-to-one onto pass or fail, so read them as a study map.

The retake, step by step

  1. Request the retake

    Contact EC-Council through its retake application. You do not file a new eligibility application.

  2. Buy the retake voucher

    EC-Council's store lists the remote-proctored retake voucher at $500, sold only to candidates approved for a retake. Some EC-Council training kits include one retake voucher; proctoring fees are not included (EC-Council CEH page, Oct 11, 2026).

  3. Wait out the gap

    No gap before attempt two; 14 days before attempts three, four and five.

  4. Book and sit it

    Booking runs as it did the first time; the CEH exam registration guide has the remote and test-center details.

Attempt calendar

EC-Council CEH retake rules, checked Oct 11, 2026
AttemptWait before itNote
1stNoneFirst sitting
2ndNoneBook as soon as the retake is approved
3rd14 daysWaiting period starts
4th14 daysSame gap
5th14 daysLast attempt in a 12-month window
After the 5th12 monthsCap reached

The transcript tells you how far off you were. Spend the retake weeks on the heaviest domains first.

Second-attempt details

How much is a CEH retake?

$500 for the remote-proctored retake voucher on EC-Council's store (Oct 11, 2026). The CEH exam cost page lists the other fees.

Can you retake CEH after passing to raise your score?

No. EC-Council's retake policy does not allow a retake of the same version once you have passed (as of Oct 11, 2026).

Is there a limit on CEH attempts?

Five attempts in any 12 months under EC-Council's retake policy; after the fifth you wait 12 months before trying again (as of Oct 11, 2026).

Is the failed attempt refunded?

No. EC-Council's certification FAQ rules out refunds for a failed attempt (Oct 11, 2026).

Sources