More than 1,400 individuals have taken the new (ISC)² entry-level cybersecurity certification exam during the pilot phase which began in January 2022. Scheduling for the pilot is currently available through August 26 and anyone interested in sitting for the “no experience required” exam may do so through an authorized Pearson VUE test center . Before a certification exam becomes fully operational, the pilot tests undergo a rigorous process of exploration, research, and validation necessary to ensure the qualification meets its intended purpose. All exams administered during the pilot phase thus far are currently undergoing this review and analysis.

When the pilot phase ends, all test-takers will receive their individual results via email. Those who passed will earn the opportunity to seek full certification and (ISC)² membership. Those who did not pass will receive a voucher to retake the exam again outside of the pilot phase. If you’ve purchased access to either online instructor-led or online self-paced training , we encourage you to revisit the course material (which you have access to for 180 days) before testing again. Those who have registered but failed to sit for the exam before the conclusion of the pilot phase will still be able to take the exam, and upon passing earn full certification and (ISC)² membership once it transitions to operational availability.

We hope this update provides clarity for those who have taken the exam, as well as those who are keeping up with us during this process. We appreciate your patience as we create a new certification that enables individuals – including students, young professionals, and career-changers – to demonstrate their familiarity with foundational cybersecurity concepts and take another step toward closing the cybersecurity workforce gap.

For questions about individual exams, please reach out to ExamAdministration@isc2.org