How to Become A Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Key takeaways

To become a CISA, you must show five years of experience auditing, securing, and controlling information systems within 10 years of taking the exam.

• You might be able to waive up to two years of the CISA work experience requirements with a bachelor’s degree.

• Earning a CISA certification requires passing the four-hour-long CISA exam, applying for certification online, and accepting ISACA’s code of ethics and continuing education standard. 

• You can maintain your CISA certification by gaining a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education every year and 120 hours over three years.

Explore standard CISA certification requirements, what CISA jobs entail, and the average salary you might expect. If you’re ready to start building expertise for a CISA role, enroll in EC-Council’s Information Security Analyst Professional Certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to gain experience with key security operations like network monitoring, penetration testing, digital forensics, ethical hacking, and more in as little as four months. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career certificate for your resume.

What is CISA?

A certified information systems auditor (CISA) is an IT professional certified by ISACA. They are internationally recognized as experts with the education and experience required to do the following successfully:

• Audit a business’s IT systems

• Uphold best practice standards

• Make recommendations for changes or upgrades

• Implement complex solutions after audits

CISA professionals typically monitor, upgrade, maintain, and resolve issues within a business’s IT security framework.

CISA responsibilities 

Certified information systems auditors have varied responsibilities based on their specific employer, though some typical tasks include:

• Auditing a business’s IT systems for vulnerabilities

• Reporting audit results and recommending solutions

• Implementing and monitoring any system upgrades

• Using risk mitigation measures to meet a business’s IT needs

• Reassessing audits to ensure proper standards are being upheld

Why become a certified information systems auditor? 

Certifications are a great way to boost your resume and set yourself apart from other IT auditors. They show that you have the experience and educational background needed to meet the expectations of your role reliably. This often translates career advancement into more senior titles or higher pay.

Requirements to become a CISA

To become a CISA, you must have five years of experience auditing, securing, and controlling information systems. However, ISACA doesn’t require you to gain five years of experience before taking the exam, so you have the choice to pass the exam and then gain experience if you prefer. After passing the exam, you’ll have a five-year window to apply for certification without having to retake the exam. If you’re using prior experience to meet the requirements, it must be within 10 years of taking the exam.

While the CISA requirements don’t include a bachelor’s degree, it can be an effective way to gain the education and experience required, since the credit hours can be used to replace a year or two of work experience.

Should you earn a master’s degree?

As previously mentioned, having a degree to become a CISA isn’t necessary. Still, many businesses look for advanced education as a sign of a potential employee’s expertise and value. Getting a master’s degree in IT or a related field can give you a more robust background and help further hone your skill set.

Earn CISA certification

Once you’ve studied for the CISA exam and feel confident, it’s time to schedule your exam. ISACA provides two options for taking the exam: Remotely with a proctor or at an in-person testing location.

Pass the CISA exam.

The CISA exam is four hours long and covers five domains, which are:

1. Information systems auditing process

2. Governance and management of information technology 

3. Information systems acquisition, development, and implementation

4. Information systems operations and business resilience

5. Protection of information assets

ISACA's website has the most up-to-date study materials and test prep concerning the domains and other important information. If you don’t pass the first time, you can retake the test up to three times within a year of the first exam date.

Apply for CISA certification.

Once you’ve passed the test and met the necessary experience requirements, you can apply for CISA certification online through ISACA’s website. The application also asks you to commit to the organization’s code of ethics and continuing education standards.

Maintain certification.

To maintain CISA certification, there are a few requirements, such as the following. 

• Commit to gaining a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education every year and 120 hours over three years.

• Pay a yearly maintenance fee of $45 for ISACA members or $85 for non-members [1]

• Renew every three years. 

You may be subject to a CPE audit and must comply with the organization's code of ethics.

Certified information systems auditor salary + jobs

As a certified information systems auditor, you can work in a wide range of IT roles.

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of June 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

IT consultant

Median annual total salary (US): $111,000 [2]

An IT consultant advises businesses on what technology to use when working on projects. They stay updated on the latest technology and advise clients about which technology best meets their needs and goals. 

Information security analyst

Median annual total salary (US): $138,000 [3]

Information security analysts design, implement, and monitor complex security measures to protect a business’s data and systems. They’re responsible for creating disaster recovery plans to help preserve important information during a security breach.

Privacy officer

Median annual total salary (US): $119,000 [4]

Privacy officers, also known as compliance officers, are responsible for creating a company’s privacy policies and training employees on them. These professionals also need to ensure the organization is in compliance with local regulations, laws, and data privacy.

IT security officer

Median annual total salary (US): $165,000 [5]

IT security officers are responsible for designing and implementing policies to protect a business’s data and IT networks from security breaches. They identify security issues and recommend plans to address them before data is lost. 

Read more: 6 CISA Jobs and How to Get Started

Average annual earnings for a CISA

How much does certification impact your potential salary? According to Payscale, information systems auditors make an average base salary of $79,999 [6]. However, the base salary for a CISA averages $123,000 yearly, which is a significant increase [7]. If you want to increase your earning potential, earning a CISA could be an excellent option.

Is CISA certification worth it?

Industry professionals generally consider becoming a CISA a worthwhile investment. Many CISA professionals experience a pay increase after earning the credential. The certification can also distinguish you from other auditors and potentially increase your opportunities. According to ISACA, 70 percent of CISA holders experienced professional improvements, and 22 percent increased their salaries [8]. The ongoing education requirements also ensure you’re updated on the latest technology trends, keeping you competitive in an ever-evolving field.

Take the next step in your career with these resources

Explore career paths, assess your skills, and connect with resume guidance while browsing our Career Resources Hub. Or if you want to learn more about IT careers and certifications, check out these free resources:

• Read our Career Chat issue: 7 IT Certifications to Know + Career Benefits

• Hear from other learners: Meet the IT Support Tech Advancing Toward a Cybersecurity Career

• Watch on YouTube: 7 IT Career Paths to Explore (And How to Start)

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