In a move that’s likely to resonate with students and early-career professionals eyeing a future in IT auditing, ISACA has introduced a new credential—the CISA Associate—to recognize candidates who pass the rigorous Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam but haven’t yet clocked the years of field experience required for full certification.
According to a recent ISACA survey, 92% of independent hiring managers say passing the CISA exam signals serious IT audit skills and provides a hiring advantage. But until now, those who passed the exam without meeting the five-year experience requirement had little to show prospective employers—except maybe a line on their résumé and a congratulatory email.
“The CISA Associate designation was created to help students and graduates take their first big step in the IT audit profession,” said Shannon Donahue, ISACA’s Chief Content and Publishing Officer. “It also helps organizations build greater trust in digital ecosystems by identifying rising talent early.”
Why It Matters
The CISA certification has long been the gold standard in the IS/IT audit world. Since 1978, over 219,000 professionals have earned it, and it remains one of the most in-demand credentials in cybersecurity, compliance, and risk management.
But for college students and recent grads, getting their foot in the door has been tricky. You could pass the exam, sure—but without work experience, the credential was out of reach. Now, CISA Associate bridges that gap.
The designation isn’t a shortcut, but rather a badge of serious intent—a signal to hiring managers that the candidate has already cleared the toughest academic hurdle and is building toward full certification.
Key Details of the CISA Associate Program
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Who’s eligible?
Students or professionals who pass the CISA exam and are ISACA members—but don’t yet have the required experience. -
What does it cost?
A one-time $25 application fee post-exam. -
How long is it valid?
Four years, or until the candidate qualifies for the full CISA credential. -
Any continuing education required?
No CPEs required—but you must maintain active ISACA membership.
More Than a Title—It’s a Talent Signal
“ISACA is directly tackling the skills gap in audit and cybersecurity,” said Jeff Angle, ISACA’s Senior Director of Academic and Workforce Development. “CISA has launched thousands of careers. Now, we’re extending that value to aspiring professionals earlier—giving them something concrete to show hiring managers.”
Beyond just resume flair, the designation also unlocks ISACA’s member perks: career resources, networking opportunities, industry updates, and mentorship through a global community of digital trust professionals.
That’s not a small advantage when breaking into fields like IT audit, where even entry-level roles often demand multiple certs and real-world know-how.
The Bigger Picture: Credentialing in the AI Era
This move also aligns with broader trends in tech and cybersecurity: stackable credentials, modular learning, and early-career professionalization are reshaping how the next wave of talent enters the workforce.
The CISA Associate designation sits comfortably in that space—credentialing knowledge before experience, while reinforcing a commitment to professional development. For employers navigating an increasingly complex digital risk landscape, it’s a welcome signal of who’s already putting in the work.
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Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Public relations, investor relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire for secure and accurate distribution of market-moving news and multimedia. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX network. Business Wire’s global newsrooms are available to meet the needs of communications professionals and news media worldwide.
