CISAISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor
Created per CertMap methodology · Updated 12 May 2026 · About the editorial team →
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Overview
What is CISA?
The CISA has been considered the gold standard for IT auditors and audit professionals worldwide for decades. It covers the entire lifecycle of IS audits, from planning through execution to reporting, and is in high demand in regulated industries such as banking, insurance, and the public sector. The certification requires five years of relevant professional experience, clearly positioning it as a senior-level credential. For career changers from IT, it serves as a springboard toward governance and compliance. The CISA is recognized globally by employers and regulators and is nearly ubiquitous in job postings for IT audit roles.
Quick facts
Key details
Cost, prerequisites, exam & renewal
Cost over 5 years
AMF prices are ISACA member prices. Membership adds 195 USD/year once per person (135 USD dues + 60 USD Germany chapter, varies by chapter); without membership the AMF is 85 USD per cert.
How is TCO calculated? →Prerequisites
5 years of experience in IS audit, control, or security. Up to 3 years may be substituted through education/certifications.
Exam format
150 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours, proctored via PSI. Passing score: 450/800.
Renewal & maintenance
Valid for 3 years. 20 CPE hours/year (min. 120 over 3 years) + annual AMF (45 USD Member / 85 USD Non-Member). A one-time application fee of 50 USD applies after passing the exam.
Classification
CertMap score and matching roles
Rating
Matching NICE roles
More certifications
More certifications
From ISACA
AAIAAdvanced in AI AuditAAIRAdvanced in AI RiskAAISMAdvanced in AI Security ManagementCCOACertified Cybersecurity Operations AnalystCDPSECertified Data Privacy Solutions EngineerCGEITISACA Certified in the Governance of Enterprise ITCISMISACA Certified Information Security ManagerCRISCISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems ControlThis page follows CertMap methodology: editorial content is curated by hand. Score, costs and NICE mapping are aggregated from official provider documents. Score methodology → · TCO methodology →
Transparency: CertMap is operated by Daniel Thomas Heessel, who is also managing director of Threat‑Informed, a company specialising in Threat‑Informed Defense. CertMap currently receives no commissions from certification providers, no affiliate links, no sponsored placements. Podcast and interview guests are not paid for appearances and receive no affiliate commissions.
From the knowledge base
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CISM oder CISA? Zwei ISACA-Wege, eine Richtungsentscheidung
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CC oder Security+? Der Gratis-Einstieg und der Arbeitsmarkt-Klassiker
Beide sind Einsteiger-Zertifikate ohne Zulassungshürde, beide decken die Grundlagen der Cybersicherheit ab, und trotzdem stehen sie für verschiedene Strategien: das eine als niedrigschwelliger, zeitweise kostenloser Start, das andere als etablierter Nachweis mit Gewicht im Arbeitsmarkt. Der Vergleich mit den Zahlen und der gegenläufigen Kostenlogik.
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