CISM Cost
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $760
- Issuing body
- ISACA
- Domain
- IT, cloud & cybersecurity
- Validity
- 3 years (CPE)
Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.
The CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) examination is administered by ISACA. As of June 2026, the official examination fee is $760 for non-members or $575 for members, covering a single attempt only. Candidates should verify the current fee directly with ISACA before registering or budgeting, as certification body pricing is subject to change. This fee applies only to the examination itself and does not include third-party training courses, study materials, practice tests, or retake attempts.
The occupation most commonly associated with CISM certification is Computer and Information Systems Manager. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for this occupation is $171,200. This figure represents the middle wage in the field and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed salary, expected raise, or income outcome resulting from certification. Candidates should consult ISACA's official website for complete information regarding eligibility requirements, examination scope, renewal fees, and maintenance obligations.
Related pay (occupation median). The U.S. BLS reports a median annual wage of $171,200 (typically $104,450–— from the 10th to the 90th percentile) for Computer and Information Systems Managers, the occupation this certification most often targets. That is the occupation’s pay, not a guaranteed lift from the certificate — actual pay depends on role, employer, location and experience. Source: BLS OEWS national file.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Certification | CISM |
| Issuing body | ISACA |
| Base exam fee | $760 |
| Fee notes | non-member $760 / member $575 |
| Prerequisites | 5 yrs info-security-management experience |
| Validity / renewal | 3 years (CPE) |
What this fee does and doesn’t include
The figure here is the official-body exam fee for a single attempt. It does not include third-party training, prep courses, study materials, or retake fees — those are separate and vary by provider. Membership-tiered bodies may offer a lower member rate (noted above). Confirm the live fee on the issuer’s registration page before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the CISM exam?
Does this include a prep course?
Exam fee compiled from issuer’s registration page →, verified June 2026. How we compile this. Confirm the current fee before you pay — bodies re-price periodically.
Prerequisites & how to register → · Prep guide → · Compare IT, cloud & cybersecurity certs →