(ISC)² CISSP® candidates must meet the following requirements prior to taking the CISSP examination.

The applicant must meet the following requirements to qualify to sit for the examination:
A. Subscribe to the (ISC)² Code of Ethics; and
B. Have a minimum five years* of direct full-time security professional work experience in two or more of the ten domains of the information systems security CBK® . Waiver of Experience: If certain circumstances apply and with appropriate documentation, candidates are eligible to waive a maximum of one year of professional experience as follows:

One year waiver of the professional experience requirement for education.
Candidates can substitute a maximum of one year of direct full-time security professional work experience described above if they have a four-year college degree OR Master’s Degree in information security from a U.S. National Center of Academic Excellence in information Security (CAEIAE) or regional equivalent.
OR
One-year waiver of the professional experience requirement for holding an additional credential on the (ISC)² approved list

Valid experience includes information systems (IS) security-related work performed as a practitioner, auditor, consultant, investigator or instructor, that requires IS security knowledge and involves the direct application of that knowledge. The five years of experience must be the equivalent of actual fulltime IS security work (not just IS security responsibilities for a five year* period); this requirement is cumulative, however, and may have been accrued over a much longer period of time.

You don’t have to be affiliated with an organization to take the CISSP examination.

Maintenance Requirements
Upon successfully passing the CISSP examination, you will receive your certificate and ID card. You also become eligible to be listed in the CISSP Directory, can elect to participate in the Speakers’ Bureau, serve on (ISC)² committees and participate in its annual elections.

Recertification is also required every three years, with ongoing requirements to maintain your credentials in good standing. This is primarily accomplished through continuing professional education [CPE], 120 credits of which are required every three years. More information on qualifying CPEs will be available upon certification.

CISSPs must also pay an annual maintenance fee of $85 per year