ISC2 CISSP Review 2026: Experienced security professionals moving into senior, management or architecture roles.
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Our verdict
The ISC2 CISSP scores highest here on academics and recognition: ISC2 requires five years of cumulative full-time experience across at least two of eight domains, uses an adaptive exam of 100 to 150 items over 3 hours with a 700 of 1000 passing grade, and states the credential is ANAB accredited to ISO/IEC 17024 and approved under US DoDM 8140.03. It ranks third on cost: standard registration is $749 in the Americas, certified members pay a $135 annual maintenance fee, and holders must earn 120 CPE credits each three-year cycle (as of 2026-10-02). Pick it when you have the experience and a senior role in view; earlier in a career, Security+ or a cloud associate exam is the better first step.
Score breakdown
- Outcomes (30%)8.0/10
- Cost & Value (25%)5.0/10
- Academics (20%)9.0/10
- Support Services (15%)6.0/10
- Flexibility (10%)5.0/10
Scored per our review methodology.
Who it's for
Best for: Experienced security professionals moving into senior, management or architecture roles..
Pricing
$749 standard exam registration in the Americas; $135 annual maintenance fee once certified; 120 CPE credits per three-year cycle (as of 2026-10-02)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exam registration (Americas) | $749 (as of 2026-10-02) | Same US dollar price listed for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa; UK GBP 606.69. |
| Annual maintenance fee | $135 per year (as of 2026-10-02) | Associates of ISC2 pay $50. |
| Reschedule / cancel | $50 / $100 (as of 2026-10-02) | Per ISC2's fee structure. |
What the evidence says
- CISSP standard registration U.S. $749 in the Americas; reschedule $50, cancel $100 (as of 2026-10-02). (ISC2: Exam pricing (official))
- AMF is U.S. $135 for CISSP holders and $50 for Associates; ISC2 cites ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation and DoDM 8140.03 approval. (ISC2: Annual Maintenance Fees FAQ (official))
- Exam uses CAT, 3 hours, 100-150 items, passing grade 700/1000; five years experience required; Associate route with six years to gain experience. (ISC2: CISSP exam outline (official))
- CISSP requires 120 CPE credits over three years: 90 Group A and 30 Group A or B. (ISC2: Member policies (official))
- CISSP page lists 5 years required experience, ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation and DoDM 8140.03 approval. (ISC2: CISSP (official))
Pros & cons
Pros
- Senior credential with a high bar: five years of cumulative full-time experience in two or more of the eight CISSP domains
- ISC2 states it is ANAB accredited to ISO/IEC 17024 and approved under US DoDM 8140.03
- If you pass without the experience you can become an Associate of ISC2 and have six years to earn it
- Adaptive exam of 100 to 150 items over 3 hours, so the test adjusts to your level
Cons & red flags
- Expensive: $749 to sit the exam, then $135 every year once certified (as of 2026-10-02)
- Ongoing work to keep it: 120 CPE credits per three-year cycle, at least 90 of them in Group A
- Not a starter credential; most newcomers cannot meet the experience requirement
- Rescheduling costs $50 and cancelling costs $100
How it compares
ISC2 CISSP scores 6.9/10 in our professional certifications evaluation. See where it lands in the full ranking: Best Professional Certifications of 2026.
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate review — 7.6/10, engineers and analysts who work on aws and want a respected, low-cost associate-level cloud credential.
- Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer review — 7.0/10, people working on google cloud, or early in a cloud career, who want an inexpensive associate-level credential.
Frequently asked questions
How much does CISSP cost?
Standard exam registration is $749 in the Americas, and certified members pay a $135 annual maintenance fee (as of 2026-10-02).
What experience does CISSP require?
A minimum of five years of cumulative full-time experience in two or more of the eight CISSP domains. Passing without it makes you an Associate of ISC2, with six years to gain the experience.
How do I keep CISSP?
Earn 120 CPE credits each three-year cycle, at least 90 in Group A, and pay the annual maintenance fee.
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