CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$550
Provider
IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals)
Validity
2 years (20 CPEs)
Available
USA
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
1-3 years of hands-on experience recommended
Specific Requirements
- No education, experience or prior certification is required to purchase and sit the CIPP/US exam.
- The exam must be purchased through the IAPP store before it can be scheduled with Pearson VUE.
- The exam must be scheduled and completed within one year of purchase or the fee is forfeited.
- Appointments must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and are subject to availability.
- Two qualifying forms of ID are required at a test centre, and the name must match the exam registration exactly.
- IAPP recommends a minimum of 30 hours of study time for each certification.
- IAPP membership or a certification maintenance fee is required after passing before the credential becomes active.
- The exam is delivered in English, since IAPP lists translations only for CIPP/E and CIPM.
Number of Questions
90
Duration
2.5 hours (150 minutes)
Question Format
Multiple choice with one correct answer, Multi-select, where the question names how many responses to pick and no partial credit is given, Scenario-based items where several questions follow one fact pattern
Passing Requirement
300
How It Is Delivered
Pearson VUE test centres, more than 6,000 worldwide, or OnVUE online proctoring
Languages Offered
English
Rules specific to this exam
- A 15-minute break is offered halfway through, splitting the exam into two halves of 45 questions.
- The first half must be submitted before the break and cannot be revisited.
- IAPP publishes a minimum and maximum question count per domain rather than percentage weights.
- IAPP lists translated exams for CIPP/E and CIPM only, so CIPP/US is taken in English.
- The exam must be scheduled and completed within one year of purchase or the fee is forfeited.
- IAPP updates its exams annually, changing approximately 10 to 15 percent of content, announced at least 90 days ahead.
Visit the official IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals) 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
100 to 500 scaled score
Score You Need
300
How It Is Calculated
An exam development board sets the minimum number of scored questions a candidate must answer correctly, after beta testing and psychometric analysis. That cut is mapped to 300 and the remainder of the scale is built around it, so raw scores convert to a common 100 to 500 range across forms of differing difficulty. Questions are not weighted differently and no section carries its own minimum.
When You Get Results
Pass or fail with the scaled score appears on screen immediately, an email follows, and results reflect in the IAPP system within two business days.
In raw terms: IAPP does not publish a raw score to scaled score table and does not tell candidates how many questions they answered correctly.
- IAPP states that 300 does not represent 60 percent of the questions.
- The score report gives the percentage correct per blueprint domain, which IAPP warns cannot be averaged into an overall score because domains hold different question counts.
- A score of 100 represents a range of low scores below the scope of the scale.
- Answering every scored question correctly produces a score of 500.
- IAPP does not release incorrect answers for review, since exam questions are treated as secure material.
- 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 CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States)?
No education, experience or prior certification is required to purchase and sit the CIPP/US exam.. The exam must be purchased through the IAPP store before it can be scheduled with Pearson VUE.. The exam must be scheduled and completed within one year of purchase or the fee is forfeited.. Appointments must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and are subject to availability.. Two qualifying forms of ID are required at a test centre, and the name must match the exam registration exactly.. IAPP recommends a minimum of 30 hours of study time for each certification.. IAPP membership or a certification maintenance fee is required after passing before the credential becomes active.. The exam is delivered in English, since IAPP lists translations only for CIPP/E and CIPM..
How much does the CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States) cost?
The CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States) exam costs $550. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States)?
Visit the official IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals) 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 CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States)?
Get the complete exam guide with study plan, tips, and practice questions.
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