The Global Standard for Information Systems Audit, Control, and Security Professionals
Join over 151,000 professionals worldwide who hold the premier certification for IS audit, control, and security. CISA certification validates your expertise and opens doors to advanced career opportunities.
The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification, offered by ISACA, is a globally recognized credential that signifies expertise in auditing, controlling, monitoring, and assessing an organization's information technology and business systems.
It is considered the gold standard for IT audit professionals and is accredited under ISO/IEC 17024:2012.
CISA certification demonstrates a deep understanding of vulnerability assessment, control implementation, and IT governance. According to ISACA, over 151,000 professionals hold this certification worldwide.
In the United States alone, 35,812 professionals hold CISA certification with 52,337 job openings seeking CISA-certified individuals.
CISA certification validates your expertise and can significantly enhance your career prospects and earning potential. ISACA reports that the average salary of CISA holders is $149,000.
The certification is particularly valuable in industries such as finance, healthcare, government, and consulting where information security is critical.
150 multiple-choice questions
4 hours to complete the exam
Single best answer format
Based on real-world scenarios
Scaled scoring from 200-800 points
Passing score: 450 points
Immediate preliminary score report
Official results within 10 business days
ISACA Member: $575 USD
Non-Member: $760 USD
Additional $50 application fee for certification
Registration through ISACA website
Computer-based testing
Available at authorized PSI testing centers globally
Remotely proctored exams available
Year-round testing availability
First retake: Wait 30 days
Subsequent retakes: Wait 90 days
Maximum of 4 attempts in a 12-month period
Full exam fee applies for each attempt
The exam is offered in 11 languages including:
English, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Turkish
The CISA exam covers five domains that represent the key areas of information systems auditing. Each domain has a specific weight in the exam as determined by the most recent job practice analysis.
Information System Auditing Process
Executing risk-based IS audit strategies, following proper IS audit standards, effectively communicating audit results and recommendations, and performing follow-ups.
Governance and Management of IT
Evaluating the IT governance structure and IT strategies for effectiveness. IT human resources, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation
Selecting IT suppliers and contracts that ensure proper service levels. Project management, project risk management, requirements analysis, and post-implementation issues.
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
Service management practices, enterprise architecture, systems resiliency, control techniques, performance monitoring, data backup, and disaster recovery testing.
Protection of Information Assets
Information security, physical and environmental controls, and verification of material regarding their confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
A curated bank of thousands of questions mapped to exam blueprints (CISA & CISSP). Questions include explanations, references, and difficulty tags. Practice by domain, by timed exam, or randomized for long-term retention.
Timed mocks that mimic official exams and hands-on labs that simulate audits, SOC tasks and incident response scenarios — not just multiple-choice memorization.
After completing a validated skills assessment, CSQNA issues a verified certificate that proves practical capabilities.You can take the skills check (unlimited attempts for 30 days) and receive a downloadable certificate once you meet the passing criteria.
CISA-certified professionals often earn higher salaries. ISACA reports an average salary of $149,000 for CISA holders, significantly above industry averages for non-certified professionals.
CISA certification opens doors to advanced roles and positions you as a trusted advisor in IT governance, compliance, and risk management.
As a globally recognized certification, CISA validates your expertise to employers worldwide and enhances your professional credibility.
CISA certification qualifies you for roles such as IS analyst, IT audit manager, cybersecurity analyst, IT consultant, privacy officer, and compliance analyst.
CISA certificants must adhere to ISACA's Code of Professional Ethics, which includes supporting effective governance, performing duties with objectivity, maintaining privacy and confidentiality, maintaining competency, and supporting professional education.
Yes, freshers can take the CISA exam without having the required work experience. You have up to 5 years after passing the exam to gain the necessary 5 years of professional experience in information systems auditing, control, or security work. This "exam-first" approach allows you to focus on passing the exam while you accumulate the required professional experience.
The CISA exam is considered challenging and requires thorough preparation. The passing rate is typically around 50%. Success requires a combination of study, understanding of concepts, and practical experience in IT auditing. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that test both theoretical knowledge and practical application in real-world scenarios.
The CISA certification requires ongoing maintenance. You must:
Recommended preparation includes:
If you don't pass the CISA exam on your first attempt, you can retake it as follows:
CISA certification opens doors to numerous roles in IT auditing and security, including: