The cost of CISSP is not just one exam payment. A realistic budget separates the official registration price, a possible retake, optional preparation, transaction costs and the maintenance required after certification. This guide gives you a clean way to plan each layer without pretending every candidate has the same total.
What does CISSP cost in total?
For a candidate who passes on the first attempt, the minimum official CISSP cost starts with the regional exam fee and continues with annual maintenance after certification. The financial total becomes higher if you choose paid preparation, need a second attempt, pay local tax or conversion charges, or incur a scheduling change. There is no honest one-number answer that fits every country and study route.
Start with the costs paid through ISC2
ISC2 publishes region-specific exam pricing and explains that taxes are based on the place of exam administration. That means a headline USD price is not always the exact amount your checkout will show.
| Cost layer | Current official reference | What to budget for |
|---|---|---|
| CISSP exam registration | USD 749 in the Americas, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and other listed regions. | EMEA is listed in EUR and the UK in GBP. Taxes and the checkout currency depend on exam location. |
| Rescheduling | ISC2 lists USD 50 / GBP 35 / EUR 40. | Only relevant if you move an already booked exam appointment under the applicable policy. |
| Cancellation | ISC2 lists USD 100 / GBP 70 / EUR 80. | Read the timing conditions before cancelling; it is not the same as a free change of plan. |
| Annual maintenance fee | USD 135 for CISSP certified members. | Due annually on the certification-date anniversary after certification and membership are completed. |
| Continuing education | 120 CPE credits in each three-year CISSP cycle. | CPEs are a maintenance requirement, not a single invoice. Some activities may be free; others can involve time or paid learning. |
The figures above are based on the current ISC2 exam-pricing page and annual maintenance-fee guidance. Confirm the official checkout before you pay because regional pricing, tax and policy can change.
Budget beyond exam day: a practical three-year CISSP view
Many cost articles stop at registration. That is incomplete if you intend to hold the credential. The three-year cycle adds maintenance and continuing professional education, while your preparation decision sits before the exam.
Before the exam
Choose your preparation route
Self-study resources, instructor-led training, question banks, mentoring and study time vary widely. Decide what support you need; do not treat a provider price as an ISC2 fee.
At registration
Pay the regional official amount
Confirm the exam currency, tax and appointment rules at ISC2/Pearson VUE checkout. Add an emergency buffer if your work schedule makes rescheduling likely.
After certification
Maintain the credential
Plan for USD 135 each year and 120 CPEs over the three-year cycle. Three annual fees equal USD 405 before any currency or payment charges.
Why the split matters: training can be a sensible investment if it helps you build better domain judgement, maintain a study rhythm and avoid a preventable retake. But it is still a separate commercial decision. Candidates should ask what is included, how long access lasts, whether mock feedback is included and how the route fits their current experience.
For the official maintenance component, do not confuse CPE requirements with a course mandate. ISC2 recognises multiple qualifying activities under its policies. Your cost may be low in cash but still meaningful in time.
How should you budget for a CISSP retake?
A retake is not automatic or free. ISC2’s current CISSP information describes purchase options that may include two attempts under Peace of Mind Protection, with its own timing and waiting-period conditions. If you buy a standard single attempt, do not assume that a second appointment is included.
- Choose the purchase route deliberately. Compare the standard exam purchase with any live ISC2 two-attempt option before you pay, rather than adding protection after a result.
- Read the waiting-period policy. ISC2 sets retake timing rules. A second attempt is not simply “book tomorrow.”
- Separate an exam retake from a schedule change. A reschedule/cancellation fee applies to an appointment change; a retake is about taking another examination under the relevant policy.
- Use the result diagnostically. Review domains, study method and readiness before spending again. A new booking alone does not solve a preparation gap.
Review ISC2’s live CISSP certification page and exam retake policy before committing to a retake route. Availability and commercial terms can change.
Three honest CISSP budget scenarios
| Scenario | Include | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| First-attempt, self-directed candidate | Official regional registration, tax/transaction costs, selected study resources and later maintenance. | That free resources remove the need for a realistic study plan or a CPE plan after certification. |
| Instructor-led candidate | Official registration plus a transparent quote for classes, recordings, question practice and any support you value. | That a training fee includes ISC2 exam payment, membership or certification endorsement unless it explicitly says so in writing. |
| Candidate preparing for a possible retake | Everything above, plus the applicable second-attempt route, policy conditions and time needed to correct weak domains. | That a reschedule fee, a training retake policy and an ISC2 exam retake are the same thing. |
Five questions to ask before paying for CISSP
Official route
Which official price applies where I will test?
Check the live ISC2 price and taxes for your exam location, not a screenshot from a different region.
Timing
Am I ready to book this date?
Understand cancellation, rescheduling and retake rules before workload or travel makes the date unrealistic.
Preparation
What is optional and what is included?
Ask providers about access periods, live classes, recordings, question practice and the scope of study support.
Certification route
Can I complete the experience and endorsement path?
Exam readiness and certification eligibility are connected but different. Review the CISSP eligibility guide before booking.
CISSP fee and cost questions
How much is the CISSP exam fee?
ISC2 currently lists the CISSP exam at USD 749 for the Americas, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and other listed regions. EMEA and UK prices are listed in EUR and GBP. Taxes and the currency shown at checkout depend on the exam location, so verify the live official price before payment.
Does CISSP require an annual maintenance fee?
Yes. ISC2 states that CISSP certified members pay a USD 135 annual maintenance fee. The fee is due annually on the member’s certification-date anniversary. ISC2 also states that members holding multiple eligible ISC2 certifications pay one AMF, not multiple AMFs.
How many CPE credits are required to maintain CISSP?
CISSP holders need 120 CPE credits over each three-year certification cycle, alongside the annual maintenance-fee requirement. CPE activity can involve free or paid learning; the requirement is not one fixed purchase.
Is CISSP training included in the official exam fee?
Not by default. Official registration, training and third-party study resources are separate decisions unless a written ISC2 or provider bundle explicitly states what it includes. Always ask for a line-by-line breakdown.
How much does a CISSP retake cost?
Do not rely on a generic figure. The correct amount depends on the current ISC2 purchase route, region and policy. ISC2 may offer a two-attempt Peace of Mind Protection option with stated conditions; verify the live terms and retake policy before purchase.
Looking for CISSP preparation after you set your budget?
Training should help you make a clearer exam decision, not blur official and provider costs. Ask for a precise explanation of inclusions, study access and exam-planning support before you enrol.
Global live-online route
Explore global CISSP preparation for structured study support and transparent training-fee discussions.
Dubai and UAE route
Explore CISSP training in Dubai for classroom, hybrid, live-online and corporate discussions.
Official sources used for this guide
Pricing and policies can change. Recheck the official pages before payment, booking, cancellation, a retake decision or a maintenance deadline.
