CISSP Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the CISSP, eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$749
Provider
ISC2
Validity
3 years
Available
Global
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
3-5+ years of professional experience typically required
Specific Requirements
- Five years of cumulative, full-time paid work experience in at least two of the eight domains of the current CISSP Exam Outline.
- Full-time experience accrues monthly, defined by ISC2 as at least 35 hours a week for four consecutive weeks. Part-time work of 20 to 34 hours a week converts at 1,040 hours for six months or 2,080 hours for twelve months of full-time experience.
- Paid and unpaid internships count with documentation on official letterhead, and academic internships may be verified by a registrar.
- One year may be waived by a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, information technology or a related field, or by one credential from the ISC2 approved waiver list. Only one waiver is permitted; a degree and a credential cannot be stacked.
- ISC2 revised the approved waiver list on 1 April 2026. Credentials must have a publicly available exam outline, be ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 accredited or come from a reputable organisation with a proctored exam, and align at least 90 percent with two or more CISSP domains. Check the list before assuming your credential still qualifies.
- No experience is needed to sit the exam. Passing without the experience makes you an Associate of ISC2, with six years to earn the five years required.
- After passing you must be endorsed and digitally signed by an ISC2 certified professional in good standing, or ask ISC2 to act as endorser, and commit to the ISC2 Code of Ethics.
Number of Questions
100 to 150 items, including 25 unscored pretest items
Duration
180 minutes (3 hours maximum administration time, with all breaks counted inside it)
Question Format
Multiple choice with one best answer, Advanced item types, which ISC2 uses for drag-and-drop and hotspot style items
Passing Requirement
700 of 1000 as published. Operationally, the pass point is an ability threshold on the adaptive scale, and ISC2 gives failing candidates only three proficiency bands per domain: below proficiency, near proficiency and above proficiency.
How It Is Delivered
Pearson Professional Centers and ISC2-authorized Pearson VUE Select test centres only. ISC2 states CISSP exams are not available at Authorized Training Provider events or mobile testing facilities, and there is no online proctored option. Chinese-language CISSP exams run only in four annual windows: 1 to 31 March, 1 to 30 June, 1 to 30 September and 1 to 31 December.
Languages Offered
English, Chinese, German, Japanese, Spanish
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
The ISC2 exam outline states a passing grade of 700 out of 1000 points, but CAT candidates never see a numerical score. The reported outcome is pass or fail only.
Score You Need
700 of 1000 as published. Operationally, the pass point is an ability threshold on the adaptive scale, and ISC2 gives failing candidates only three proficiency bands per domain: below proficiency, near proficiency and above proficiency.
How It Is Calculated
Item response theory drives a variable-length adaptive test. Each answer re-estimates your ability, and the next item targets roughly a 50 percent chance of a correct response. After the 100-item minimum, the confidence interval rule ends the exam once your estimate excludes the pass point at 95 percent confidence. Scoring is compensatory across the eight domains, and 25 pretest items are unscored.
When You Get Results
The Pearson VUE proctor hands you an unofficial result at check-out and ISC2 emails the official result afterwards. ISC2 warns results can be delayed roughly six to eight weeks when a form has too few test takers for its statistical analysis, and that all results remain subject to psychometric and forensic evaluation after release.
- 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 CISSP?
Five years of cumulative, full-time paid work experience in at least two of the eight domains of the current CISSP Exam Outline.. Full-time experience accrues monthly, defined by ISC2 as at least 35 hours a week for four consecutive weeks. Part-time work of 20 to 34 hours a week converts at 1,040 hours for six months or 2,080 hours for twelve months of full-time experience.. Paid and unpaid internships count with documentation on official letterhead, and academic internships may be verified by a registrar.. One year may be waived by a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, information technology or a related field, or by one credential from the ISC2 approved waiver list. Only one waiver is permitted; a degree and a credential cannot be stacked.. ISC2 revised the approved waiver list on 1 April 2026. Credentials must have a publicly available exam outline, be ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 accredited or come from a reputable organisation with a proctored exam, and align at least 90 percent with two or more CISSP domains. Check the list before assuming your credential still qualifies.. No experience is needed to sit the exam. Passing without the experience makes you an Associate of ISC2, with six years to earn the five years required.. After passing you must be endorsed and digitally signed by an ISC2 certified professional in good standing, or ask ISC2 to act as endorser, and commit to the ISC2 Code of Ethics..
How much does the CISSP cost?
The CISSP exam costs $749. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the CISSP?
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 CISSP?
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 CISSP?
Get the complete exam guide with study plan, tips, and practice questions.
View CISSP Guide