CISSP: Requirements & Exam Details
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 CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is a credential issued by ISC2. According to published requirements, candidates must have a minimum of five years of cumulative paid experience in two or more of ISC2's recognized security domains to sit for the examination. The exam registration fee is $749 for a single attempt, as of June 2026; however, fees are subject to change, and candidates should verify the current cost directly on ISC2's official website before registering.
The CISSP credential is valid for three years, after which renewal is required through the completion of continuing professional education (CPE) credits. Eligibility requirements, examination fees, and renewal policies are established and maintained by ISC2 and may be updated. Prospective candidates should confirm all current prerequisites, costs, and renewal rules directly on the issuing body's official pages before beginning the registration process.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites | 5 yrs cumulative paid experience in 2+ domains |
| Base exam fee | $749 |
| Fee notes | exam registration |
| Validity / renewal | 3 years (CPE) |
Register with the issuer. Eligibility, fees and renewal rules are set by ISC2 and can change — confirm on the official page.
Estimate your certification cost →