Key Takeaways
- CISA is a globally recognized credential for IT auditing professionals. It signals expertise in auditing, controlling and assessing information systems, making it highly valued by employers worldwide.
- It can significantly boost your earning potential and credibility. CISA holders often earn six-figure salaries and may see notable pay increases compared to non-certified peers.
- The certification is best suited for early- to mid-career professionals. It’s particularly relevant for those in IT auditing, risk, compliance and information security roles.
- Experience requirements are a key consideration. While you can take the exam earlier, you’ll need several years of relevant work experience (with some possible waivers) to become fully certified.
- Preparation and investment are required. The exam is comprehensive (150 questions over four hours), and candidates should plan for both study time and costs, including exam and maintenance fees.
- CISA is one of several valuable cybersecurity certifications. Depending on your goals, alternatives such as CISM, CISSP, or Security+ may be better fits — or complementary additions to your credentials.
The CISA certification is one of many available cybersecurity certifications, but is it right for your career goals? In this guide, we outline everything you need to know, including the certification details and requirements, cost of the exam and much more.
What Is the CISA Certification?
The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a widely recognized certification issued by ISACA, a professional association focused on information technology. The CISA certification is “world-renowned as the standard of achievement for those who audit, control, monitor and assess an organization’s information technology and business systems.”
Now let’s look at 10 points to consider.
1. What Are the Benefits of Obtaining a CISA Certification?
In general, professional certifications are great resume boosters that can help you stand out from the competition. Indeed lists the following advantages:
- Provides a competitive advantage
- Increases earning potential
- Expands your knowledge and skills
- Adds to your professional credibility
More specifically, Surgent explains that “the field of IT auditing is a niche market looking for experts” and the CISA certification allows recipients to “be at the forefront of an evolving business world.”
ISACA also offers this explanation: “ISACA certifications are globally accepted and recognized. They combine the achievement of passing an exam with credit for your work and educational experience, giving you the credibility you need to move ahead in your career. Certification proves to employers that you have what it takes to add value to their enterprise. In fact, many organizations and governmental agencies around the world require or recognize ISACA’s certifications.”
2. CISA Salary Ranges
Salary will depend on a number of factors, including the position itself, the job responsibilities and how much experience is required. But according to ISACA, the average salary of someone who holds a CISA certification is around $110,000+. A CISA certification can also result in a potential 22% pay boost.
3. Typical CISA-Holder Careers
If you’re considering a career in IT, obtaining a CISA certification is a good first step. ISACA even goes so far as to say this certification is “foundational to a successful IT career.” Regardless, it’s a good choice for entry-level to mid-career professionals and designed for IT/IS auditors, control, assurance, and information security professionals.
4. CISA Certification Requirements
It’s worth reviewing the requirements of any certification before you take the steps to pursue it. Here’s what you need to know about the CISA certification requirements:
- Earn a passing score on the CISA exam
- Apply for certification within 5 years of having passed the exam
- Adhere to the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics
- Commit to abide by the CISA Continuing Professional Education Policy
- Possess a minimum of five years of professional information systems auditing, control or security work experience (as described in the job practice areas).
- Substitutions and waivers of such experience may be obtained if certain education and general IS or audit experience requirements are met.
- Experience waivers are available for a maximum of 3 years
- Comply with Information Systems Auditing Standards
5. How Should I Pursue a CISA?
If you’re interested in pursuing a CISA certification, you may want to seek out others who have already obtained one. Talk to colleagues and connections on LinkedIn about whether this particular certification is worth pursuing. If you find that it is, here is how you apply for CISA certification:
- Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements before registering for the exam
- Register and pay for the exam (you will have 1 year to take the exam)
- The final step to becoming CISA-certified is to submit your CISA Certification Application. Before doing so, you must:
- Pass the CISA exam within the last 5 years
- Have the relevant full-time work experience
- Submit the CISA Certification Application and application processing fee
6. How Should I Prepare for the CISA Exam?
ISACA offers a variety of exam preparation tools and resources. These include:
- Group training
- Self-paced training
- Study resources in various languages
7. CISA Exam Breakdown
The CISA certification exam is 4 hours (240 minutes) consisting of 150 multiple choice questions. You can explore ISACA’s Item Writing Guide to learn more about the exam questions and how they are developed.
8. CISA Exam Cost
The cost of the CISA exam is $575 for an ISACA member and $760 for a non-member. It’s important to note that you are eligible to take the exam from the date of your registration; this eligibility period is good for 12 months. If you don’t take the exam after one year, you will lose your payments.
There is also a CISA annual maintenance fee to maintain certification — $45 for ISACA members and $85 for nonmembers.
9. Is Getting Your CISA Certification Worth It?
Certifications carry a lot of weight and can significantly increase a cybersecurity professional’s salary potential. They can serve as resume boosters, and sometimes they are even required for employment, especially in government-related positions. You have to weigh the time commitment and cost.
10. Other Comparable Certifications
CISA is just one of many cybersecurity certifications. Some other important ones to consider include:
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): This certification focuses on governance, risk management, compliance and international security measures. It is geared toward managers who design, oversee and assess an enterprise’s information security infrastructure.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): This certification was created by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium and is geared toward experienced security practitioners, managers and executives.
- Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC): The CRISC certification is designed specifically for IT professionals who have hands-on experience with risk identification, assessment and evaluation, risk response, risk monitoring, IS control design and implementation and IS control monitoring and maintenance.
- CompTIA Security+: The CompTIA Security+ is designed for entry-level security professionals. The CompTIA Security+ certification meets the ISO 17024 standard and is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense to fulfill Directive 8570.01-M requirements.
- Certified Ethical Hacker: The CEH (Practical), offered by the EC-Council, is an exam that teaches valuable hands-on testing skills and is geared toward entry-level applicants or those who are looking for an introduction to, or refresher on, ethical hacking.
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP): The CCSP is recommended for professionals who wish to demonstrate their proficiency in cloud computing and data security, including cloud architecture and design and application security considerations.
- GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC): This certification is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate their hands-on proficiency in IT systems and information security tasks. It covers general security best practices and real-world applications.
frequently asked questions
Can you take the CISA exam before meeting the five-year experience requirement?
Yes, you can take the CISA exam before meeting the experience requirement because passing the exam and becoming certified are separate steps. You have five years from the date you pass the exam to submit your certification application, giving you time to accumulate qualifying work experience. Many candidates take the exam while building their experience and apply for certification once they meet the requirements.
How long does it take to study for the CISA exam?
Study time for the CISA exam varies considerably based on your experience and familiarity with the exam content. Candidates with backgrounds in IT audit, risk or compliance may need less preparation because they already work with many of the concepts covered on the exam. Those coming from technical roles or with less audit experience may need more time to become comfortable with CISA’s risk-based and audit-focused perspective. A structured study plan can help you determine how much preparation you need based on your starting point.
How hard is the CISA exam, and what’s the pass rate?
The CISA exam is considered challenging, but ISACA does not publish an official pass rate. Much of the difficulty comes from applying audit and risk-management principles to scenario-based questions rather than from highly technical material. Questions may present several plausible courses of action and ask which one an auditor should take first, so candidates need to understand ISACA’s risk-based approach rather than simply recall technical concepts.
Is CISA useful if you want a cybersecurity role rather than an audit role?
CISA can be useful for cybersecurity careers that involve governance, risk and compliance, but it is primarily an IT audit credential rather than a general cybersecurity certification. It aligns well with roles such as compliance analyst, IT risk specialist, internal controls analyst and security governance professional. For hands-on technical roles such as incident response, penetration testing or security engineering, certifications such as Security+, GIAC certifications or OSCP may align more closely with the skills those roles require.
What does the CISA certification cost in total?
The total cost of CISA certification depends on how you prepare and whether you join ISACA. As of 2026, the CISA exam costs $575 for ISACA members or $760 for nonmembers, and certification requires a $50 application processing fee. You’ll also need to account for study materials, such as ISACA’s official review manual and Questions, Answers & Explanations database, plus any prep course you choose. Once certified, you’ll pay an annual maintenance fee of $45 as an ISACA member or $85 as a nonmember and meet the continuing professional education requirements.
Let’s Talk About Your Cybersecurity Career Goals
If you’re interested in a CISA certification, a master’s degree is also worth considering. An advanced degree will add valuable experience and certainly increase your earning potential. There are many reasons why a master’s degree is worth the investment. In some cases it’s required for employment in the field of cybersecurity, but even if it isn’t, a master’s degree can help ensure a higher salary, job security and expanded career opportunities.
If you are interested in taking your cybersecurity career to the next level, consider furthering your education with the University of San Diego — a highly regarded industry thought leader and education provider that offers two cybersecurity master’s degree programs — the 100% online Master of Science in Cyber Security Operations and Leadership and the online or on-campus Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering.
