After putting in months of preparation and passing the CISSP exam, the last thing you want is for your hard-earned certification to expire. Fortunately, ISC2 has a clear process for maintaining your CISSP certification, ensuring that certified professionals stay up to date with the latest industry trends and practices.
In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know about CISSP certification renewal, including the CPE (Continuing Professional Education) requirements, how to earn CPE credits, and the steps to ensure your certification stays valid for the long term.
TLDR: Too Long; Didn’t Read
To maintain your CISSP certification, you need to earn 120 CPE credits every 3 years. This ensures that you stay up-to-date with the latest in cybersecurity trends and continue learning. You also need to pay an annual maintenance fee (AMF). Failure to meet these requirements can result in your certification being suspended. Be sure to track your CPE activities and renew your certification on time!
Why Maintaining Your CISSP Certification Is Important
The CISSP certification is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates your expertise in cybersecurity. However, to keep this certification valid, ISC2 requires you to prove that you’re continuing to expand your knowledge and stay current in the cybersecurity field.
Benefits of Maintaining Your CISSP Certification:
- Continual Professional Growth: CISSP helps ensure you stay on top of the latest cybersecurity trends, risks, and technologies.
- Professional Credibility: Keeping your certification up to date signals to employers that you’re dedicated to professional development and are committed to maintaining your expertise.
- Career Opportunities: CISSP renewal can make you eligible for new roles, leadership positions, and higher salaries.
Maintaining your CISSP certification not only helps you stay relevant in the field but also strengthens your professional reputation.
CPE Credits: What Are They and Why Do You Need Them?
CPE credits are required to ensure that you continue learning and adapting to changes in the cybersecurity field. Each CISSP-certified professional must earn 120 CPE credits over a 3-year certification cycle. These credits are earned through various activities that demonstrate continued learning, practical experience, and engagement in the field.
How CPE Credits Work:
- 120 CPE Credits are required over a 3-year period.
- You need to earn a minimum of 20 CPE credits per year.
- You can earn CPE credits through certified training, conferences, workshops, teaching, publishing, and more.
CISSP CPE Credit Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
| Total CPE Credits | 120 credits over each 3-year certification cycle |
| Minimum per Year | At least 20 credits every year to stay in good standing |
| Accepted Activities | Formal education, ISC2-approved training, webinars, conferences, publishing security articles, mentoring |
| Submission Method | Log credits in your ISC2 member account for review |
| Audit Possibility | Random CPE audits may require proof of participation |
How to Earn CPE Credits
There are several ways you can earn CPE credits throughout the year. ISC2 provides flexibility in how you accumulate credits, so you can choose the activities that align with your professional interests and goals.
1. Formal Education and Training
- CISSP/ISC2-Approved Training: Participate in courses and training programs that are approved by ISC2 for CPE credits.
- Webinars and Online Learning: Attend online seminars, workshops, and courses related to cybersecurity.
- Certifications and Certifications Exams: Earning additional certifications or taking relevant exams can also count towards CPE credits.
2. Professional Activities
- Conferences and Workshops: Attending and participating in cybersecurity conferences, conventions, and workshops will earn you CPE credits.
- Speakers and Trainers: If you present at a conference or teach cybersecurity topics, you can earn CPE credits for the time spent.
- Industry Contributions: Writing articles, books, or blog posts on cybersecurity topics can also earn you CPE credits.
3. Self-Study
- Reading: Self-directed study, such as reading books, research papers, or cybersecurity-related journals, counts towards CPE credits.
- Online Research and Self-Study Programs: Many websites offer online courses or resources that can help you earn CPE credits through self-paced learning.
CPE Credit Categories and Limits
ISC2 categorizes CPE activities into four main categories with different credit limits for each. It’s important to know how many credits you can earn in each category to maximize your learning opportunities.
| CPE Category | Maximum Credits per Activity | Maximum Total Credits |
| Formal Education | Up to 40 credits per activity | 60 credits over 3 years |
| Conferences, Seminars, and Webinars | Varies (depending on duration) | 60 credits over 3 years |
| Teaching or Presenting | Varies (based on hours taught) | 40 credits per activity |
| Self-Study and Publications | Varies | 30 credits over 3 years |
Why This Matters:
Having a breakdown of credit categories helps you focus on the most efficient ways to accumulate the required CPE credits based on your professional interests and schedule.
How to Submit and Track Your CPE Credits
ISC2 provides an easy-to-use CPE submission portal to help you track and submit your credits for CISSP renewal. Here’s how the process works:
Steps to Submit Your CPE Credits:
- Login to Your ISC2 Account: Access your ISC2 account on their official website.
- Track Your Credits: As you accumulate CPE credits, log them into the portal.
- Submit for Review: After reaching the required number of CPE credits, submit them for ISC2’s review.
- Receive Confirmation: Once your credits are verified, you’ll receive confirmation that your CISSP certification is successfully renewed.
Why This Matters:
Keeping track of your CPE credits and submitting them on time ensures that your CISSP certification remains valid. Failure to meet the required credits or to submit your credits on time may lead to suspension of your certification.
Renewal Fees and Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF)
In addition to earning CPE credits, you must also pay an annual maintenance fee (AMF) to keep your CISSP certification active.
Annual Maintenance Fee:
- The AMF is $125 USD per year, due on your certification renewal anniversary.
- This fee helps support ISC2’s efforts in maintaining and improving the certification program.
Why This Matters:
The AMF ensures that ISC2 can continue to support the certification process, provide resources to members, and maintain the integrity of the certification program.
CISSP Renewal Cost Overview
| Item | Amount | Frequency | Notes |
| Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) | $125 USD | Yearly | Must be paid even if you exceed required CPE credits |
| 3-Year Renewal Total | $375 USD | Every 3 years | Equals three annual AMF payments |
| Late Payment Penalty | Varies | If deadline missed | May lead to suspension until paid |
Quick Summary
To maintain your CISSP certification, you need to earn 120 CPE credits every 3 years. This can be done through formal education, professional activities, teaching, and self-study. You also need to pay an annual maintenance fee (AMF) of $125 USD. Keep track of your credits and submit them through ISC2’s portal to ensure your certification remains valid.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your CISSP certification is essential for staying current in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity. By fulfilling the CPE requirements and paying the AMF, you’ll continue to demonstrate your commitment to professional growth and stay at the forefront of the cybersecurity industry. With clear guidelines for renewal and a range of ways to earn CPE credits, the process is straightforward and manageable. Stay proactive, and your CISSP certification will remain a valuable asset for years to come.
More Resources
For more information on maintaining your CISSP certification and staying updated with the latest CPE requirements, visit the all-in-one CISSP exam resource.
Explore these related blogs to help with your CISSP journey:
- CISSP Exam Domains: A Detailed Breakdown of What You Need to Know
- How to Meet CISSP Exam Prerequisites: Everything You Need to Know
Last Updated on by Team CE
