A candidate need not have any prior qualification to be eligible for attempting the CISA Exam. However, to obtain the CISA certification, you must fulfill the working experience requirements. This means you have two options of how to do it:
1. Take the exam first and then accumulate the work experience
2. Get the work experience first, which often helps make passing the exam easier
1. Register for the CISA Exam
There is no prerequisite to take the CISA exam. However, the CISA certification would add value as a professional, and the first step is to register for the exam.
2. Complete the CISA Exam
The exam is available to take any time because of online proctoring. Anyone can take the exam as long as they pay the registration fees. Once you register, you have a 365-day window to take and pass the exam.
3. Fulfill the Experience Requirement
This is actually the stricter part of the CISA certification process. You need to have at least 5 years of experience in information system auditing, control or security.
The work experience must be gained within 10 years preceding the application date, or within 5 years from the date of passing the exam.
However, substitutes to work experience may be applied for a maximum of 3 of the 5 required years.
4. Maintain the Certification
You can maintain its active status by paying the maintenance fees and fulfilling the CPE requirements. You’ll need to have at least 20 contact hours per year, and 120 contact hours within a fixed 3-year period.
