CISA Certification Costs and Exam Fees

CISA is a globally recognised credential offered by ISACA and is highly prized in the IT Auditing field. The credential is highly respected, particularly in the IT Auditing and cyber security fields.  It is designed to validate a professional’s expertise in IT Auditing, controlling and securing Information Systems (IS).  

More importantly, employers widely recognise CISA-certified professionals and are ready to also offer them higher salaries than the market average. CISA-credentialed professionals attain higher proficiency in their overall career credentials. Learn in detail about the various CISA certification costs and exam fees, including it's annual maintenance fee. 

Table of Contents 

1) A brief overview of the CISA Certification 

     a) Importance of the CISA Certification 

2) Looking at the various CISA Certification Costs 

     a)  ISACA membership cost  

     b) CISA exam cost 

     c) CISA Certification Cost 

     d) Annual maintenance fee 

     e) Miscellaneous CISA Certification Costs 

3) Example of CISA Certification and its fee 

4) Conclusion 

A brief overview of the CISA certification 

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a prestigious global certification that validates a professional's expertise in their management of vulnerabilities, and the institution of controls and ensurance of compliance within the enterprise's Information Technology (IT) landscape. 

Awarded by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), it represents a benchmark for IT auditors, reflecting their abilities to audit, control, and secure an organisation's information systems. Furthermore, the CISA Certification is often a prerequisite for IT audit and control positions, enhancing career prospects significantly. 

More importantly, the investment in obtaining the CISA certification can lead to higher salaries and a more diversified range of job opportunities. The CISA certification is a highly respected credential that elevates professionals in the realm of IT Auditing.


 

Importance of the CISA Certification 

The CISA certification has many important aspects surrounding it, which are described as follows:

a) Career advancement: The CISA certification is widely recognised and respected. Having it on your CV can open up new job opportunities, potentially leading to promotions and salary increases. 

b) International recognition: As a globally accepted certification, CISA can enhance your employability not only locally, but also internationally. It allows you to compete favourably in the global IT Auditing job market. 

c) Demonstrate expertise: The certification verifies your knowledge and expertise in IT Auditing, control, and security, thereby enhancing your credibility among employers and peers. 

d) Compliance standards: With a CISA certification, you gain the skills to help your organisation meet compliance standards, as you'll have the know-how to conduct thorough and effective audits. 

e) Skills update: Preparing for the CISA exam requires that you stay up-to-date with the latest IT audit practices and regulatory standards, ensuring your skills remain relevant in the rapidly changing IT landscape. 

f) Increased demand: With the growing reliance on Information Systems (IS) in today's businesses, the demand for professionals who can effectively audit these systems is on the rise. CISA certification positions you to meet this demand. 

g) Competitive advantage: For many employers, a CISA certification is a preferred qualification for IT audit and control roles, giving certified professionals a competitive edge. 

h) Professional networking: Being a CISA-certified professional opens opportunities to network with other Information Systems (IS) audit, control, and security professionals, which can be beneficial for your career growth and development. 

i) Greater job security: The knowledge and skills gained through CISA certification can provide greater job security in uncertain economic times. 

Looking at the various CISA Certification Costs 

The total cost of acquiring the CISA Certification comprises several components, including the exam registration fee charged by ISACA, the cost of study materials like textbooks and practice tests, potential additional coaching or training expenses, possible retake fees for unsuccessful attempts, and annual maintenance fees to keep the certification active.  

Here is a list of the various costs an individual can incur on their journey to be CISA-certified below: 

ISACA membership cost 

ISACA, the organisation that awards the CISA Certification, operates a membership model that provides numerous benefits to members, including reduced costs for certification exams. The annual ISACA membership fee is typically around 114.54 GBP, but this cost can vary depending on the applicant’s geographical location as each of ISACA's local chapters may charge additional fees. 

Furthermore, the benefits of ISACA membership extend beyond just reduced examination costs. Members also have access to a wealth of resources to aid in exam preparation and continuing professional development. These include industry-leading research, a vibrant and supportive community of fellow IT professionals, webinars, and discounted prices on ISACA's extensive library of books and online resources. 

Moreover, members have opportunities to earn free CPE (Continuing Professional Education) credits, which are crucial to maintaining the CISA Certification. The access to local chapter events and networking opportunities can also provide value to IT professionals seeking to expand their professional connections. 

Hence, while there is an upfront cost to becoming an ISACA member, the benefits in terms of resources, community, and reduced certification costs can make it a worthwhile investment for professionals pursuing the CISA Certification or those seeking career development in IT governance, risk, and cybersecurity. 

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CISA exam cost 

One of the most significant expenses associated with the CISA certification is the cost of the examination itself. The cost of the CISA exam for ISACA members is 454.23 GBP, while for non-members it was 600.37 GBP. This price disparity highlights one of the advantages of ISACA membership for those seeking certification. 

The CISA examination fee covers your attempt at the exam, which is a 4-hour test comprising 150 multiple-choice questions. These questions assess your knowledge and application of the five domains that form the basis of CISA: IT governance and management, information systems acquisition, IT life cycle management, information asset protection, and information systems operations and business resilience. 

It's essential to note that if you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, you'll have to pay the examination fee again for each subsequent attempt. Therefore, thorough preparation is crucial to avoid multiple exam costs. 

CISA Certification Cost 

Once you have passed your CISA examination and attained the relevant full-time work experience, you can submit your CISA Certification application and pay the fee for getting your application processed. The application processing fee is 39.50 GBP for both members and non-members.  

Annual maintenance fee 

Additionally, once you have earned the CISA Certification, there are annual maintenance fees to keep your certification active. ISACA members pay 35.55 GBP, non-members pay 67.15 GBP. Additionally, you need to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits, the costs of which can vary. 

Miscellaneous CISA Certification Costs 

While the membership, examination, and certification costs form the primary expenses associated with the CISA Certification, there are additional costs that candidates should consider. Here are the various costs explained as follows: 

1) Training cost: While self-study is possible, many candidates opt for preparatory courses conducted by training institutes or online platforms to better understand the exam content and structure. The prices for these courses can range widely, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the depth of the course and the reputation of the institute. 

2) Study materials: This includes textbooks, practice question databases, and other resources. The CISA Review Manual, a popular study guide published by ISACA, costs around 82.95 GBP for members and 106.65 GBP for non-members. Meanwhile, the CISA practice questions database costs approximately 236.20 GBP for members and 315.20 GBP for non-members. Other materials, like third-party textbooks or study guides, could add to the cost. 

3) Certificate maintenance: This involves acquiring Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. The cost to earn these credits can vary depending on the courses or activities chosen. Plus, there's an annual maintenance fee that is 35.55 GBP for ISACA members and 67.15 GBP for non-members. 

Example of CISA Certification course and its fee 

The CISA Certification course, formally named “CISA Information Systems Auditor” is a course which provides candidates with extensive knowledge of auditing information systems, control and security. The course is structured to teach them about how IT systems are given complete protection and are capable of functioning with accuracy.  

Additionally, the main duties of a CISA-credentialed Auditor are to conduct strategies for their audit processes based on risk management methodologies. More importantly, the CISA certification basically builds on the work experience of professionals and helps produce exceptional employees equipped with the knowledge of IT Auditing.  

Furthermore, the training also guides organisations in analysing IT governance standards to meet the requirements of IT corporate structures. The candidates will learn the concept of quality assurance, a systematic process that determines if a product satisfies the quality standards.  

Moreover, they will be taught about the various disaster recovery plans that encompass in-depth instructions on how to respond to any unplanned incidents. Various testing tools and their operating techniques will be introduced, and candidates will learn to encrypt data with different encryption-related techniques. 

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Conclusion 

You have now understood that the CISA Certification Costs represent a considerable investment in terms of cost and effort, but its benefits can be transformative for professionals in IT Auditing and related fields. It not only enhances job prospects and income potential but also offers a gateway into a global community of respected professionals. 

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