Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$199
Provider
ISC2
Validity
3 years, 45 CPEs
Available
Global
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
6-12 months of relevant experience recommended
Specific Requirements
- No work experience in cybersecurity is required. ISC2 states there are no specific prerequisites to take the CC exam.
- No formal educational diploma or degree is required, though ISC2 recommends basic information technology knowledge.
- You must be at least 16 years old to sit an ISC2 examination.
- Candidates aged 16 or 17 must be accompanied to the test centre by a parent or guardian and must present one valid photo ID that includes their name; a school ID is acceptable as primary ID for minors.
- Two forms of identification at the test centre: a primary ID with photograph and signature, and a secondary ID with signature, neither expired.
- After passing, you submit a certification application within nine months of the exam pass date and confirm you will abide by the ISC2 Code of Ethics. Full endorsement by an existing ISC2 member is not required for CC.
- You must pay the first annual maintenance fee of U.S. $50 to begin your membership cycle.
Number of Questions
100-125 items
Duration
2 hours maximum
Question Format
Multiple choice, Advanced item types
Passing Requirement
700
How It Is Delivered
Computerized Adaptive Testing at Pearson Professional Centers and ISC2-authorised Pearson VUE Select Test Centers
Languages Offered
English, Chinese, Japanese, German, Spanish
Rules specific to this exam
- Every CC exam contains 25 unscored pretest items inside the minimum 100-item length, and candidates cannot tell which items those are.
- To receive any result you must answer at least 75 operational items plus the 25 pretest items within the two hours, or the exam automatically fails.
- Item review is not permitted. Once an answer is finalised it cannot be revisited or changed.
- There is no minimum administration time. Candidates may finish early once the algorithm reaches its decision.
- ISC2 does not limit the number or duration of breaks, but every break counts against the two hours.
- The exam content is not delivered in sections; items are selected by the algorithm while still meeting the published domain weights.
- The domain weights on this page are ISC2's outline effective September 1, 2026. Exams sat on or before August 31, 2026 are built to the 2022 outline instead, so check which one your appointment date falls under.
- ISC2's printed weights for the September 2026 outline are 24, 17.3, 20, 21.3, and 17.3, which sum to 99.9 percent; ISC2's own outline labels the total as 100 percent.
Visit the official ISC2 certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
Score Scale
1 to 1,000 points
Score You Need
700
How It Is Calculated
The adaptive algorithm re-estimates your ability after every item and selects the next item so that you have roughly a 50 percent chance of answering it correctly. Once 100 items are answered, the exam ends as soon as your ability estimate excludes the pass point with 95 percent confidence. If that never happens, the maximum-length rule at 125 items or the run-out-of-time rule at two hours compares your final estimate against the passing standard.
When You Get Results
Immediately at checkout as an unofficial result from the proctor, followed by an official result by email from ISC2. Where test volumes are low, results can be delayed roughly six to eight weeks.
In raw terms: ISC2 publishes no raw-to-scaled conversion and states that the number of items answered correctly does not determine the result; the difficulty of the items answered correctly does.
- Candidates do not receive a numerical score on the pass or fail report.
- Failing candidates receive a proficiency level for each domain: below proficiency, near proficiency, or above proficiency.
- The exam is compensatory, so strong performance in a heavily weighted domain can offset weaker performance in a lighter one.
- Failing at exactly 75 operational items does not indicate a poor performance; it means the algorithm reached its decision at the minimum length.
- All results are subject to ISC2 psychometric and forensic evaluation, which can occur after the official result is issued.
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)?
No work experience in cybersecurity is required. ISC2 states there are no specific prerequisites to take the CC exam.. No formal educational diploma or degree is required, though ISC2 recommends basic information technology knowledge.. You must be at least 16 years old to sit an ISC2 examination.. Candidates aged 16 or 17 must be accompanied to the test centre by a parent or guardian and must present one valid photo ID that includes their name; a school ID is acceptable as primary ID for minors.. Two forms of identification at the test centre: a primary ID with photograph and signature, and a secondary ID with signature, neither expired.. After passing, you submit a certification application within nine months of the exam pass date and confirm you will abide by the ISC2 Code of Ethics. Full endorsement by an existing ISC2 member is not required for CC.. You must pay the first annual maintenance fee of U.S. $50 to begin your membership cycle..
How much does the Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) cost?
The Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) exam costs $199. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)?
Visit the official ISC2 certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
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