Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Certification 2025: Exam Cost, Requirements, and Career Insights

Julia Kagan is a financial and consumer journalist, formerly senior editor for personal finance at Investopedia.

What Is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)?

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) credential is awarded by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), representing the global benchmark for professionals specializing in information systems auditing, control, and security.

To earn this prestigious certification, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous exam, fulfill industry-specific work experience prerequisites, commit to ongoing professional education, and abide by ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics and Information Systems Auditing Standards.

Key Highlights

• CISA is recognized worldwide as the standard for IT auditing, control, and security professionals.
• Applicants need a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience.
• Certified professionals must complete 20 hours of continuing education annually to maintain their certification.

CISA Roles and Responsibilities

CISAs play a critical role in evaluating and enhancing an organization's information systems. Their duties include reviewing management procedures, developing risk management strategies, planning for business continuity, and overseeing IT personnel compliance.

They also create and maintain IT policies, standards, and procedures. Their audit process involves:

• Assessing organizational objectives, systems, and vulnerabilities to identify strengths and risks.
• Presenting audit findings and recommendations to management.
• Guiding the implementation and monitoring of security improvements.
• Conducting follow-up audits to verify the effectiveness of control changes.

Exam Cost

As of 2024, the CISA exam fee is $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members.

CISA Exam Overview

The exam spans four hours and contains 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates must register online and achieve a minimum passing score of 450. The test is offered globally in June, September, and December, with language options including English, Chinese Mandarin, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Korean.

Exam day protocols require valid identification and restrict items such as phones, smartwatches, headphones, food, beverages, and visitors.

The exam covers five core domains:

1. Information Systems Auditing Process (18%): Planning and conducting risk assessments and audits.
2. IT Governance and Management (18%): IT frameworks, enterprise architecture, laws, regulations, and quality assurance.
3. Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation (12%): Business case analysis, design methodologies, configuration management, and system migrations.
4. Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience (26%): Operations management, end-user computing, system resiliency, backup, business continuity, and disaster recovery.
5. Protection of Information Assets (26%): Cybersecurity, security controls, event management, and physical access controls.

Work Experience Requirements

Applicants must have at least five years of professional experience in information systems auditing, control, or security. Substitutions include up to one year of general work experience or one year of financial audit experience.

Educational waivers are available:

• 1-year waiver for an associate degree.
• 2-year waiver for bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degrees in any discipline.
• 3-year waiver for a master’s degree in Information Systems or related fields.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

To maintain the CISA credential, professionals must complete 20 hours of training annually and 120 hours over three years. ISACA charges an annual maintenance fee of $45 for members and $85 for non-members.

CPE credits can be earned through attending conferences, ISACA Training Week courses, online certified training, tech education events, on-demand learning, journal quizzes, volunteering with ISACA or affiliated organizations, and participating in ISACA meetings.

CISAs manage and report their CPE hours via their ISACA online profile in the Certifications & CPE Management section.

Average Salary

In 2024, the average salary for professionals holding the CISA certification exceeds $145,000 annually.

Advantages of Obtaining the CISA Certification

• Specialized Expertise: Demonstrates advanced technical knowledge in IT auditing and security.
• Strong Industry Demand: Growing need for certified auditors as companies prioritize secure and compliant IT infrastructures.
• Ongoing Relevance: Mandatory continuing education ensures professionals stay current with evolving technologies and risks.
• Enhanced Career Prospects: Certification often leads to higher salaries, promotions, and job stability.
• Global Recognition: Widely accepted across industries and organizations worldwide.
• Career Clarity: Exam content helps candidates identify their specific interests within information systems auditing and risk management.

Number of Certified CISA Professionals

As of 2022, there are over 151,000 CISA-certified professionals globally.

Timeframe to Become a Certified Information Systems Auditor

The typical path requires five years of relevant professional experience, though educational waivers can reduce this period.

What Does a Certified Information Systems Auditor Do?

A CISA manages and safeguards an organization’s information systems by auditing processes, mitigating risks, and collaborating with departments to maintain secure and efficient technology environments.

Conclusion

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) credential validates expertise in IT security and risk management. Achieving this certification requires passing a comprehensive exam and meeting professional experience standards, positioning holders as trusted leaders in information systems auditing worldwide.

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