CISSP CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional Requirements

NOTICE:

ISC2. (2025, October 25). "CISSP Experience Waiver Changes Coming (April 2026)." ISC2. https://community.isc2.org/t5/CISSP-Study-Group/CISSP-Experience-Waiver-Changes-Coming-April-2026/td-p/84687 From the announcement: "Effective April 1, 2026, the list of credentials that satisfy a waiver for one year of the required work experience for CISSP will be reduced." For more information, visit: https://community.isc2.org/t5/CISSP-Study-Group/CISSP-Experience-Waiver-Changes-Coming-April-2026/td-p/84687

" You need to register for the CISSP exam, sit the exam, and pass it to earn the
CISSP(A) certification. "

Passing the exam gets you a CISSP Associate or CISSP(A) certification.
You can get a CISSP(A) (Associate) certification without having your resume reviewed by (ISC)²! See: https://www.isc2.org/certifications/associate
A CISSP(A) is not quite the same as a CISSP certification, but for your employer, the difference may not be that important.
CISSP certification evolves with the cyber security industry and the examination that candidates must pass may vary from year to year.
(ISC)², the "world's leading cyber security professional organization," notes that in 2021, the CISSP certification exam will change in terms of content and weighting, and that there will be a new exam outline.
To register for the CISSP exam, visit: https://www.isc2.org/Register-for-Exam
For more details about the CISSP exam, which have been updated for 2024, visit: https://www.isc2.org/certifications/cissp
See also: https://www.isc2.org/Insights/2024/07/How-Does-US-DoD-8140-Impact-CISSPs

" You need to have paid work experience for the full CISSP certification. "

According to the (ISC)², you must have a minimum of five years paid work experience in two of the eight domains that comprise the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge, or CBK, in addition to passing the exam.
The eight domains which comprise the CBK are fundamental to the cyber security profession and are referenced by cyber security practitioners worldwide.
A four-year college degree, or regional equivalent, an additional, (ISC)²-approved credential, or an education credit count for only one of the five years required to earn the full CISSP certification.
An Associate of (ISC)² who does not have the prerequisite five years paid work experience required for CISSP certification will have six years to earn that experience after they pass the exam.
For more information, check out, CISSP Requirements Guide: Requirements, Trainings, and Cost and visit: https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/CISSP/Experience-Requirements
ISC2. (2025, October 25). "CISSP Experience Waiver Changes Coming (April 2026)." ISC2. https://community.isc2.org/t5/CISSP-Study-Group/CISSP-Experience-Waiver-Changes-Coming-April-2026/td-p/84687 From the announcement: "Effective April 1, 2026, the list of credentials that satisfy a waiver for one year of the required work experience for CISSP will be reduced."

" You need to be endorsed and approved for the full CISSP certification. "

Once you have passed the CISSP certification exam, you will need to apply for and receive the endorsement of an (ISC)²-certified professional.
The endorser must be able to verify your work experience and standing within the cyber security industry.
The endorsement process must be completed within nine months.
After your endorsement application has been approved, the next step is to pay the (ISC)² Annual Maintenance Fee.
For information about (ISC)² endorsement visit: https://www.isc2.org/Endorsement
For more information about (ISC)² membership, visit: https://www.isc2.org/Benefits-of-Membership

What are the benefits of CISSP certification?
What are the requirements for CISSP certification?
What experience do you need to have before you take the CISSP certification exam?
How should you prepare to take the CISSP certification exam?

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional - About the CISSP NOW! method:

The CISSP NOW! method, documented in the CISSP NOW! ebook, references official (ISC)² study material, which may be purchased from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Information-Security-Professional-Official/dp/1394254695
If you do not have access to the official (ISC)² study material, you will not be able to follow the CISSP NOW! method.
The CISSP NOW! method is built around continuous self-assessment and quantitative feedback and helps you prepare to pass the CISSP certification exam.