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IAPP · Governance, Risk & Privacy · Professional

IAPP CIPT exam guide

Exam CIPT

CIPT proves you can build privacy into technology: privacy by design, privacy-enhancing technologies, data minimisation, de-identification and managing privacy risks in systems. It suits engineers and IT staff who implement privacy requirements, and complements the AIGP for AI-heavy teams.

Questions90
Time limit150 minutes
Passing score300 (100-500 scaled score)
Exam fee$550 USD
Valid for2 years
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or OnVUE online proctored

Format: Multiple choice, including scenario-based questions. Fee note: Same price for members and non-members; certification maintenance fee required to activate and every two years (included in IAPP membership).

Who it's for

Software engineers, IT and security professionals, and architects who implement privacy controls.

What the exam covers

Foundational privacy principles and frameworks—
The privacy technologist's role in the organisation—
Privacy risks, threats and violations—
Privacy-enhancing strategies, techniques and technologies—
Privacy by design and engineering—
Privacy in emerging technologies—

A dash means the vendor does not publish a weight for that domain.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None.

Recommended: Technical background in software, IT or security.

Keeping it active

Two-year cycle: 20 CPE credits and the certification maintenance fee ($250 for non-members; included in IAPP membership).

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Applying privacy by design
  • De-identification, pseudonymisation and anonymisation
  • Privacy-enhancing technologies
  • Identifying privacy risks in systems and data flows
  • Secure handling of personal data
  • Privacy considerations for AI and emerging tech

Job roles

Privacy EngineerSecurity EngineerSoftware EngineerData ArchitectPrivacy TechnologistIT Compliance Engineer

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Download the current CIPT Body of Knowledge and read the official textbook introduction.
  2. Week 2: Privacy risks, threat models and violations.
  3. Week 3: Privacy-enhancing techniques and technologies.
  4. Week 4: Privacy by design, engineering and emerging tech.
  5. Week 5: Practice exam and mocks, then book.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Know the differences among anonymisation, pseudonymisation and encryption precisely.
  • Expect scenarios on dark patterns, tracking technologies and consent UI.
  • Questions favour design-stage solutions over after-the-fact fixes.
  • Check the BoK version date before buying third-party prep.

Key terms for this exam

All 33 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does CIPT cost?

$550.

Is CIPT technical?

Moderately; it is about privacy engineering concepts, not coding.

CIPT vs CDPSE?

Both target technical privacy roles; CIPT is IAPP's, CDPSE is ISACA's and requires experience.

How do I renew?

20 CPEs and the maintenance fee every two years.

Is CIPT worth it?

Yes for engineers in privacy-sensitive products or regulated industries.

Official page: iapp.org. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.