Fazlur Rahman
CISSP certification cost in 2026 is $749 USD for the Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, EUR 719.04 in EMEA, and GBP 606.69 in the United Kingdom. Add ISC2's $135 annual maintenance fee, optional training ranging from self-study under $1,000 to $9,500+ bootcamps, and any retake at $749 per attempt. Most US candidates budget $2,500 to $4,500 for a first-time pass through a mid-range live course, with multi-year AMF pushing the lifetime credential cost above $4,000 across a typical five-year arc (ISC2, September 2026).
First-time total cost depends almost entirely on training path, not on the exam fee. A self-studier who already owns the Sybex Official Study Guide can complete CISSP for under $1,100, while a Fortune-500 sponsored bootcamper often sees $5,000 to $9,500 in expenses (ISC2, DestCert, August 2026).
Last verified: Sep 15, 2026.
At a glance
- Exam fee $749 Americas/APAC, EUR 719 EMEA, GBP 607 UK (ISC2, September 2026)
- Annual maintenance fee $135 per year for CISSP, $50 per year for Associate of ISC2
- Total first-year spend from $964 self-study to $9,664 full bootcamp
- Five years' experience required for full CISSP; six-year conversion path for Associates
- Retake policy: 30-day, 90-day, 180-day waits and $749 per attempt
ISC2 regional exam pricing for CISSP
The CISSP exam fee is set in USD by ISC2 and converted to local currency at Pearson VUE checkout. ISC2 publishes a regional fee table covering the Americas, Asia Pacific, EMEA, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Africa, and each region pays a flat amount regardless of test centre location (ISC2, September 2026).
The same exam content and same English-language item pool applies to every region, but VAT, GST, and local sales tax are added at the Pearson VUE payment step. UK candidates see 20 percent VAT on top of the GBP figure, while EU candidates pay the published EUR amount plus their country's VAT rate (ISC2, September 2026).
| Region | CISSP exam fee | Currency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americas (US, Canada, Latin America) | $749.00 | USD | Includes Canada; provincial sales tax added at checkout |
| Asia Pacific | $749.00 | USD | Covers Japan, Australia, India, Singapore |
| Middle East | $749.00 | USD | UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel |
| Africa | $749.00 | USD | All Pearson VUE sub-Saharan locations |
| EMEA (continental Europe) | EUR 719.04 | EUR | VAT added at national rate |
| United Kingdom | GBP 606.69 | GBP | 20% VAT included in published figure |
Source: ISC2 Exam Pricing, September 2026.
ISC2 fees beyond the exam
ISC2 charges an Annual Maintenance Fee that is separate from the exam fee and applies for as long as the credential stays active. The standard AMF for a CISSP is $135 per year, billed on the certification anniversary and required for credential renewal (ISC2, September 2026).
Associates of ISC2 pay a reduced $50 AMF while they work toward the five-year experience requirement. Once endorsed as a full CISSP, the AMF steps up to $135 from the next billing cycle (ISC2, September 2026).
Cancellation costs $100, GBP 70, or EUR 80 depending on region, while rescheduling costs $50, GBP 35, or EUR 40. Pearson VUE charges these fees automatically when candidates miss the 24-hour reschedule window (ISC2, September 2026).
| ISC2 fee | Americas | EMEA | UK | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam registration | $749 | EUR 719.04 | GBP 606.69 | Per attempt |
| Rescheduling fee | $50 | EUR 40 | GBP 35 | Within 24h of test |
| Cancellation fee | $100 | EUR 80 | GBP 70 | After booking |
| CISSP Annual Maintenance Fee | $135 | $135 USD | GBP ~108 | Per year, post-cert |
| Associate of ISC2 AMF | $50 | $50 USD | GBP ~40 | Per year, pre-endorsement |
Source: ISC2, September 2026. Regional equivalents are calculated at typical USD/EUR/GBP rates and may vary by local tax.
What the CISSP exam covers in 2026
CISSP tests eight domains of the ISC2 Common Body of Knowledge, refreshed on the May 2024 exam outline. The current outline reorganises content into Security and Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Architecture and Engineering, Communication and Network Security, Identity and Access Management, Security Assessment and Testing, Security Operations, and Software Development Security (ISC2, May 2024).
The exam uses Computerised Adaptive Testing with 100 to 150 items, a three-hour seat time, and a 700-out-of-1000 passing score. Candidates see different item counts depending on how CAT responds to early answers (ISC2, September 2026).
CISSP is accredited under the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 personnel-certification standard, the same accreditation held by CISSP concentrations (ISSAP, ISSEP, ISSMP) and the CC, SSCP, and CCSP credentials. Many government and defence contracts require ANSI-accredited credentials (ISC2, September 2026).
CISSP eligibility and experience requirements
Full CISSP requires five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight CBK domains. A four-year college degree, an approved credential from the ISC2 waiver list, or both reduce the requirement to four years (ISC2, September 2026).
Candidates who pass the exam without enough experience earn the Associate of ISC2 designation and have six years to submit the experience and endorsement. Endorsement is free and processed by an active CISSP holder (ISC2, September 2026).
Common waivers include CompTIA Security+ (one year), CISM (two years), CISA (two years), and a US military 8570.01-M baseline certification. Candidates verify eligibility in their ISC2 dashboard before paying the exam fee (ISC2, September 2026).
Self-study CISSP path: under $1,100 first year
The cheapest CISSP path pairs the official Sybex study guide with free practice questions and a single exam attempt. Total first-year spend lands around $964 to $1,049 for a self-studier who already owns a computer and reliable internet (ISC2, DestCert, August 2026).
The line items are the $749 exam fee, $135 first-year AMF paid after passing, a $60 Sybex Official Study Guide, and $20 to $50 for a used question bank. Skipping live training relies on the candidate's existing security experience (DestCert, August 2026).
| Cost line | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exam registration | $749 | Paid to Pearson VUE |
| Sybex Official Study Guide | $60 | Hard copy or Kindle |
| Practice question bank | $20 to $50 | Wiley or LearnZapp |
| First-year AMF | $135 | After passing |
| Total first-year cost | $964 to $1,049 | Single attempt assumed |
Source: DestCert, August 2026 and ISC2, September 2026.
Live online CISSP training: $2,500 to $4,500
Mid-range CISSP candidates enrol in a 60 to 80 hour live online course with a printed workbook and one retake voucher. Popular programmes from DestCert, Infosec, and Training Camp sit between $2,500 and $4,500 inclusive of the exam voucher (DestCert, infosecinstitute.com, August 2026).
The advantage over self-study is the instructor-led domain walk-through and a structured 6 to 10 week schedule. Disadvantage is the loss of control over pace and the added cost (Infosec, August 2026).
Most providers include one free retake voucher (worth $749) if the candidate does not pass the first time. That insurance alone justifies a chunk of the tuition for first-time test-takers (DestCert, August 2026).
| Live online programme | Tuition | Includes | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| DestCert CISSP MasterClass | $1,997 | Live cohort, workbook, no voucher | 10 weeks |
| Infosec CISSP Boot Camp | $2,499 to $3,499 | Live cohort, voucher, retake | 7 weeks |
| Training Camp Accelerated | $3,995 to $4,495 | Live cohort, voucher, retake, Pass Guarantee | 5 days |
| (ISC)2 Official Online Self-Paced | $749 to $1,299 | Self-paced modules, voucher optional | 6 months access |
Source: DestCert, Infosec, Training Camp, and ISC2 official store, August 2026.
Bootcamp CISSP path: $5,000 to $9,664
Immersive five-day in-person or live-virtual CISSP bootcamps charge the highest tuition but pack 40 to 60 contact hours into a single week. All-inclusive pricing covers tuition, exam voucher, books, and often the Pearson VUE booking fee (DestCert, August 2026).
Add $500 to $1,500 for travel and lodging if the camp is out of state, plus the $135 AMF in year one. Total spend lands at $5,000 to $9,664 depending on camp tier and travel cost (DestCert, August 2026).
Employers regularly reimburse bootcamp tuition under annual learning budgets because the credential unlocks senior security architect, CISO-track, and federal contractor roles. Many camps accept employer purchase orders (Infosec, August 2026).
CISSP retake and reschedule policy
ISC2 enforces staged waiting periods between CISSP attempts and charges the full exam fee for every retake. A candidate who fails must wait 30 calendar days before the second attempt, 90 days before the third, and 180 days before any subsequent attempt (ISC2, September 2026).
Rescheduling less than 24 hours before the scheduled exam costs $50, GBP 35, or EUR 40 depending on region. Cancelling entirely costs $100, GBP 70, or EUR 80 and the original voucher is forfeit (ISC2, September 2026).
A candidate who fails three times has invested $2,247 in exam fees alone, plus study costs. Most candidates mitigate retake risk with a paid course that includes a free retake voucher (DestCert, August 2026).
Maintenance, AMF, and lifetime CISSP cost
Keeping CISSP active requires paying the $135 AMF each year and earning 60 CPE credits across the three-year cycle. ISC2 audits CPE submissions on a rolling basis, so candidates should log credits throughout the cycle rather than at the end (ISC2, September 2026).
Over a ten-year CISSP arc, AMF alone adds $1,350 to the lifetime credential cost. Multi-cert holders (CISSP plus a concentration like ISSAP) get a $35 AMF discount on the second credential (ISC2, September 2026).
Free CPE sources include ISC2 member webinars, Security Congress recordings, and chapter events. Paid options like SANS, (ISC)2 conferences, or university courses run $50 to $2,000+ per event (ISC2, September 2026).
Funding options and employer reimbursement
US employers spent an average of $1,500 per employee on certification reimbursement in 2025, with CISSP at the top of the list. Federal contractors and Fortune-500 financial firms routinely cover the full $9,000+ bootcamp tab (CompTIA Workforce Trends, 2025).
GI Bill benefits cover CISSP exam fees for US veterans under the Veteran Readiness and Employment programme. Many state workforce boards list CISSP as an approved credential for IT workforce grants (ISC2, September 2026).
Tax-deductibility applies in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia when the credential is required for the candidate's current role. Candidates should retain the Pearson VUE receipt and AMF invoice for at-home employment expenses (ISC2, September 2026).
CISSP vs CC vs SSCP cost comparison
ISC2's entry-level Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) is free to sit in 2026, while SSCP costs $249, and CISSP costs $749 in the Americas. The CC pathway is ISC2's push to bring 1 million new entrants into the field (ISC2, September 2026).
CC covers five foundational domains and requires no experience. SSCP covers seven operational domains and requires one year of paid experience. CISSP covers eight management domains and requires five years (ISC2, September 2026).
| ISC2 credential | Exam fee (Americas) | Experience required | AMF per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) | $199 (promo-free for first 1M) | None | $50 |
| SSCP (Systems Security) | $249 | 1 year | $125 |
| CISSP | $749 | 5 years (waivers exist) | $135 |
| CISSP-ISSAP concentration | $599 | CISSP + 2 years architecture | $135 |
| CISSP-ISSEP concentration | $599 | CISSP + 2 years engineering | $135 |
| CCSP (Cloud Security) | $599 | 5 years (waivers exist) | $135 |
Source: ISC2 Exam Pricing, September 2026.
How CISSP compares to CISM and CISA on cost
ISC2 CISSP at $749 is the most expensive of the three top US security credentials, ahead of ISACA's CISM and CISA at $575 member and $760 non-member. ISC2 charges by region, while ISACA charges by membership status (ISC2, ISACA, September 2026).
CISSP requires five years of broad security experience, CISM requires five years of security management experience, and CISA requires five years of audit, control, or assurance experience. None of the three offers a self-study-only discount (ISACA, September 2026).
Candidates pursuing CISSP plus CISM pay a $185 AMF burden across both organisations. Many federal contractors accept either credential for senior roles, so the choice often comes down to job posting language (ISC2, ISACA, September 2026).
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FAQs
How long does CISSP preparation take?
ISC2 recommends 120 to 140 hours of study over three to six months for first-time candidates. Experienced security managers may finish in 60 to 80 hours, while career-changers often need 200+ hours. A typical plan covers one or two domains per week with weekend review (ISC2, September 2026).
Can I use a voucher from my employer?
Yes. ISC2 sells vouchers directly to employers in bulk and authorised training partners bundle vouchers with their courses. Employer vouchers typically expire 12 months from issue and are non-transferable. Always confirm the exam code (SY0-701-style) matches the credential you intend to take (ISC2, September 2026).
Is the CISSP exam available in languages other than English?
ISC2 offers CISSP in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Korean, and several other languages as of 2026. Native-language exams are scheduled fewer times per year and item pools are smaller. Pearson VUE shows available languages at booking (ISC2, September 2026).
What happens if my endorsement application is rejected?
ISC2 reviews each endorsement for credential and experience alignment. Rejection typically means the endorser lacked good standing, the experience description was too thin, or the role didn't cover the claimed domains. Candidates can resubmit with stronger documentation (ISC2, September 2026).
How do CISSP and a master's degree compare for hiring?
Most senior US security job postings accept either CISSP or a master's in cybersecurity / information assurance as a baseline. CISSP costs $1,000 to $5,000 in exam plus training and takes six months; a master's costs $20,000 to $60,000 and takes two years. Many hiring managers weight CISSP higher for hands-on architect roles (ISC2 Workforce Study, 2024).
Does CISSP qualify for the UK Security Clearance pathway?
Yes. CISSP plus a confirmed five-year background satisfies baseline UK National Security Vetting (NSV) for Security Check (SC) and Developed Vetting (DV) roles in defence, finance, and central government. Recruiters in the UK cite CISSP more often than any other credential in 2026 job ads (ISC2 UK, August 2026).
Source verification: ISC2 official exam pricing page (September 2026), ISC2 CISSP certification page (September 2026), DoD 8140.03 approved baseline (September 2026), DestCert CISSP cost guide (August 2026), Infosec Institute CISSP requirements (August 2026), ISACA CISM and CISA pricing pages (September 2026).
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