Certified Ethical Social Engineer Certification

Prove your social engineering expertise in a 48-hour real-world challenge.

What is CESE?

The Certified Ethical Social Engineer (CESE) exam is a hands-on, scenario-based certification that tests your ability to execute OSINT, phishing, vishing, and more—just like a real adversary. Over the span of 48 hours, you’ll apply your skills against a target company with virtual employees who look and act authentic online. Some of these “employees” don’t even know they’re part of the certification!

If you’ve completed our Foundational Application of Social Engineering (FASE) and Practical Application of Social Engineering (PASE) courses, your first attempt is free. Otherwise, you can still take CESE as a standalone exam if you feel you already possess the skills.

Why CESE?

Be Practical. Perform real OSINT, real calls, and real social engineering tasks in a dynamic environment.
Be Challenging. With only 48 hours on the clock, you’ll face time pressure and realistic resistance—just like an actual red team engagement.
Be Real-World. We’ve been refining this target company for over a decade to ensure your experience mirrors authentic situations.

How Does It Work?

1

Start When You’re Ready

After registering, you pick the time to begin. Once you start, you have 48 hours to achieve your objectives.
2

Gain Access to Critical Tools

You’ll receive custom vishing server access, plus any additional instructions you need.
3

Meet Your Goals

Carry out OSINT, phishing, vishing, and report writing under real-world constraints.
4

Get Evaluated

Our SECOM team—who built and runs the target environment—will review your approach, score your performance, and notify you of your results.
Staying Current

Starting in 2024, all CESE holders must recertify every three years to maintain certification status.

  • Renewal Exam Fee: $399
  • We’ll notify you before your certification expires and schedule you for an updated exam to keep your CESE active and recognized.
Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Have to Take Both FASE & PASE First?

No. You can sit for the CESE exam if you already have the necessary OSINT, vishing, phishing, and reporting skills. But if you do take our FASE or PASE classes, your first CESE attempt is included in the course price.

What Does the Certification Cost?

As a standalone exam, $999. If you’re enrolled in FASE or PASE, your first attempt is free.

What If I Fail—Can I Retake?

Absolutely. Retakes are available at $250 each.

Is the CESE Certification Accredited?

Not currently. We’re actively working through the process of obtaining formal accreditation so that CESE meets recognized industry standards. While we can’t guarantee a timeline, our goal is to finalize this in the near future. Rest assured, CESE already delivers real-world, practical testing that is highly respected among social engineering professionals.

How Is My Grade Determined?

A dedicated certification team at Social-Engineer oversees the target environment and exam grading. You’ll receive clear feedback on your performance once the review is complete.

Ready to Validate Your Skills?

Experience one of the most practical social engineering certifications on the market. Conquer real-world challenges, prove your expertise, and stand out to employers and peers alike.

For more details or to book your exam, reach out to us at [email protected].

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