CISA certification by ISACA (a globally recognized association) is specifically designed for IT audit professionals who want to showcase their expertise in information system control, assurance, and security.
As a certified professional, you gain the skills and credibility to boost your career and pay scale as an information system security expert. However, you must know how to get eligible for CISA certification to get certified.
The CISA exam is a multiple-choice based exam consisting of 150 questions to be completed within 4 hours. A minimum score of 450 on a scale of 200-800 is needed to pass the exam.
As this is a professional and internationally recognized certification, knowing CISA certification eligibility criteria beforehand will help you prepare better.
Steps to Become Eligible for CISA Certification
Meet the Required Work & Education Experience
Passing the exam is not enough, and after passing, you have to apply to get the certification. You need to have at least five years of work experience in IS auditing, control, or security.
Waivers are also available. If you have three years of work experience, then you can get certified on the following basis:
One year of experience can be substituted for one year of experience in IS or non-IS auditing.
One to two years of experience can be substituted with 60 to 120 university semester credit hours that do not fall under ten years preceding restriction. One year of experience can be substituted with a bachelor's or master's degree from a university having ISACA based curriculum.
One year of experience can be substituted with a master's degree in IS or IT from an authorized university.
If you have experience working full-time as a university teacher in IS auditing, computer science, or accounting, it can be substituted for one year of experience.
Several times, candidates who do not meet the CISA certification eligibility criteria also pass the exam. The exam you passed remains valid, but you won't get certified till you meet the requirements.
You must gain the required work experience within five years from the date of passing the exam or within ten years of applying for the certification.
Certification Maintenance
Once you become eligible for CISA certification, you can apply for it. Your journey does not end by simply obtaining the certificate. You need to pay an annual maintenance fee and follow certain norms to maintain it and get full benefits associated with it.
Certificate maintenance requirements:
- Adhering to the Code of Professional Ethics:
- As a CISA certification holder, you need to agree to the code of professional ethics.
Adhering to Continuing Professional Education Program:
CISA certification holders need to adhere to the CPE program. Here are a few reasons why you need to do this:
- To keep your knowledge updated in the field of IS auditing, control, and security and face the competition with confidence.
- To differentiate yourself from non-qualified professionals who have not met the CISA certification eligibility criteria and are not certified.
- To help your organization develop robust IS audit, control, and security functions.
Apart from these, you must also earn a minimum of 20 contact CPE hours annually and 120 contact hours during three years to maintain it. Your certificate remains valid for three years, and you need to renew it after that, for which you must fulfill the mentioned certification maintenance criteria.
Compliance with IS Auditing Standard
- As a CISA credential holder, you must abide by the ISA auditing standard developed by ISACA.
The Final Words
Once you become eligible for CISA certification, apply without wasting time. And, upon getting certified, follow all the rules to maintain it. CISA certification enhances your market worth manifolds in the eyes of employers. You are looked upon as an expert who can meet day-to-day challenges associated with IS auditing, control, and security of a new-age enterprise.
As a globally recognized certification holder, you have the edge over other candidates during the interview.
You can also refer to: Complete guide to CISA certification What is CISA certification pass rate and exam day rules
