PCI Security Standards Council®

PCI Professional (PCIP)™ Qualification

The Payment Card Industry Professional is an individual, entry-level certification in payment security information and provides you with the tools to help your organization build a secure payment environment. Becoming a PCIP demonstrates a level of understanding that can provide a strong foundation for a career in the payments security industry. This renewable career certification is not affected by changes in employment assignments and stays in effect as long as the individual continues to meet requirements. This three-year credential also provides a great foundation for other PCI qualifications.

Registration Process

Candidates for PCIP qualification must have a minimum of two years relevant work experience in an IT or IT related role and must possess a base level of knowledge and awareness of information technology, network security and architecture, and the payment industry.

PCIP: Registration Process

Step 1 - Review

Refer to the PCIP Qualification Requirements for complete program description and requirements and to confirm that you are well suited for the program.

Next, determine if you’ll be enrolling in:

  • the eLearning training course
  • an Instructor-Led Training
  • the exam-only option

Then complete the short registration form online ( see step 2).

PCIP Qualification Requirements

Step 2 - Apply

  • Submit PCIP registration form
  • Once we receive your registration, we will supply you with log-in credentials to complete your online application.
    • Access PCIP online application through PCI SSC’s secure portal: https://programs.pcissc.org
    • Complete PCIP application (Note: Attestation name, signature and date must be hand written)
  • Applicants will be notified via email of their application status within 2 days of submitting their fully completed application.
  • Following the approval of application, a training invoice will be emailed within 2-3 business days
  • Submit payment
Program Fees

Step 3 - Train

Upon receipt of payment, you will:

  • For those taking eLearning training and exam:
    • You will receive a link to access the eLearning course.
    • You will have 90 days from the day you receive the link to complete the course and take the exam.
    • You will also receive a separate email from Pearson VUE with credentials and complete instructions on how to schedule your exam.
  • For those taking an instructor-led class :
    • Receive an email from provider confirming your seat in the class, the class location and further instructions
    • Receive an email containing instructions and credentials for scheduling your exam at a Pearson VUE test center
    • Have 30 days from the class date to sit for the exam
  • For those taking the exam only option:
    • You will receive an email from Pearson VUE and have 30 days from receipt of the email to schedule and complete the exam.
Test Center Locations

Step 4 - Enrollment

Pass/Fail results are provided immediately following the conclusion of the exam.
Passing candidates will receive a Certificate of Qualification via email and will be added to the Council's website listing of PCI Professionals.

Find PCI Professionals

Course Details

Benefits
  • Support your organization’s or client’s ongoing security and compliance efforts through your knowledge of how to apply PCI Standards
  • Gain recognition of your professional achievement with this renewable three-year industry credential
  • Become part of a PCIP community where knowledge and best practices can be shared
  • Launch your career in the payments industry with a competitive advantage
  • Listing in a searchable directory on the PCI website
  • Earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits
Overview

This course outlines the PCI Standards and provides you with the tools to build a secure payments environment and help your organization achieve PCI compliance. Course highlights include:

  • Principles of PCI DSS, PA-DSS, PCI PTS, and PCI P2PE Standards
  • Understanding of PCI DSS requirements and intent
  • Overview of basic payment industry terminology
  • Understanding the transaction flow
  • Implementing a risk-based prioritized approach
  • Appropriate uses of compensating controls
  • Working with third-parties and service providers
  • How and when to use Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQs)
  • Recognizing how new technologies affect the PCI (e.g. virtualization, tokenization, mobile, cloud)
How to Prepare

Prior to taking the PCIP training and/or exam, candidates should familiarize themselves with information regarding the PCI Standards and supporting documents. These materials along with the current version of the PCI DSS may be found in the Document Library.

Training Formats

PCI Professional (PCIP) course content is delivered in these formats:

  • Self-paced, online eLearning
  • Scheduled, instructor-led classes delivered by PCI trainer
  • Hosted one-day Corporate Group Training class held at your chosen location
eLearning:

This self-paced, six-hour eLearning course offers:

  • Flexible scheduling 24/7/365
  • Learn from your home or office
  • Reduced travel costs and time away from work
  • Provides individuals in any country an opportunity to train for and take the exam at their convenience and at a location close to home or work.

You will receive a link to access the eLearning course. You will have 90 days from the day you receive the link to complete the course and take the exam. You will also receive a separate email from Pearson VUE with credentials and complete instructions on how to schedule your exam.

Instructor-led:

Engaging and effective, this classroom-style instruction provides:

  • Ability to focus on curriculum in classroom setting
  • Learn directly from an experienced PCI trainer
  • Interaction with instructor and fellow classmates

You have 30 days from the conclusion of the course to take the exam, for which you will also receive a separate email from Pearson VUE with credentials and complete instructions on how to schedule your exam.

Class Schedule

PCIP 2022 Classes

Remote Training

Classes are a combination of eLearning and a live webinar.

In person Training

By registering for in-person training, you agree that during and in connection with the training event, you will comply with all applicable COVID-19 requirements, best practices and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state, regional and local governments, the training event venue or hotel, and PCI SSC ("Requirements"). Details about the Requirements will be shared with participants as we approach the training event date.

Remote or In person training dates are listed below.

Date
Time
Remote or
In person Location
Non Participation Organization
Participating Organization**
Date:30 Jun
CLOSED
Time: 09:00-17:30 (EDT)
Remote or In person Location: Remote
Non Participation Organization: $2,500 USD
CLOSED
Participating Organization**: $1,550 USD
CLOSED
Date:12 Sep
Time: 09:00-17:30
Remote or In person Location: Toronto
Non Participation Organization: $2,500 USD*
Participating Organization**: $1,550 USD*
Date:17 October
Time: 09:00-17:30
Remote or In person Location: Milan
Non Participation Organization: $2,500 USD*
Participating Organization**: $1,550 USD*
Date:29 Nov
Time: 09:00-17:30 (EST)
Remote or In person Location: Remote
Non Participation Organization: $2,500 USD
Participating Organization**: $1,550 USD
Please note: All fees are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. Unless otherwise specified the training and exam will be delivered in English.

Price does not include any applicable VAT/HST/GST which will appear on your invoice.

* Not including VAT

**Become a Participating Organization and SAVE up to 40% on ISA training fees. To learn about becoming a Participating Organization please click here.
Exam

The qualification exam is administered at a Pearson VUE Test Center. You will have 90 minutes to complete 75 multiple-choice questions. No electronic devices may be used during the closed-book exam.

Scheduling the Exam

  • All scheduling/rescheduling is done via Pearson VUE’s online scheduling system – you select the test location, date and time most convenient for you.
  • You will receive an email containing Instructions and a voucher to schedule your exam within 2-3 business days of payment processing.
  • If you choose the Exam-only or instructor-led class option, the exam must be completed within a 30 day test window.
  • If you choose the eLearning Course, the exam must be completed within a 90 days test window.

Exam Results and Next Steps

  • Pass/Fail results are provided immediately following the conclusion of your exam.
  • Passing candidates will receive a Certificate of Qualification via email within 2-3 business days.
  • If a passing score is not achieved, a total of three (3) attempts are permitted (a retake fee will apply).
EXAM ONLY OPTION

There is also an option to by-pass the training component and sit for the exam. If you choose the exam only option, you will receive an email from Pearson VUE and have 30 days from receipt of the email to schedule and complete the exam.

*Note: It is highly recommended that candidates take the optional PCIP eLearning or Instructor-Led Training course prior to taking the qualification exam.

Find a Test Center

Prices – PCI eLearning or Instructor-led

Fee Category
Non-Participating Organization
Participating Organization
Fee Category PCIP Training Course - includes access to course and ability to take the exam once – also includes first three years of qualification, account maintenance and listing.
Non-Participating Organization: $2,500 USD
Participating Organization**: $1,550 USD
Fee Category PCIP Exam ONLY – for those who opt not to take the training course. This allows access to take the exam once – also includes first three years of qualification, account maintenance and listing.
Non-Participating Organization: $1,550 USD
Participating Organization**: $900 USD
Fee Category PCIP Exam Retake Fee
Non-Participating Organization: $165 USD
Participating Organization**: $165 USD
Fee Category Requalification Fee - assessed after the first three year period and every three years thereafter (includes training and exam)
Non-Participating Organization: $260 USD
Participating Organization**: $260 USD
Fee Category Requalification Fee - assessed after the first three year period and every three years thereafter (exam only)
Non-Participating Organization: $165 USD
Participating Organization**: $165 USD
Fee Category QSA & ISA Initial Opt-In Fee (includes first three years of qualification, account maintenance and listing)
Non-Participating Organization: $260 USD
Participating Organization**: $260 USD
Fee Category QSA & ISA Requalification Fee - assessed after the first three year period and every three years thereafter
Non-Participating Organization: $160 USD
Participating Organization**: $160 USD

Group Training Option

If you have a group to train, please consider our PCI Professional Corporate Group Training instructor-led option, where an expert PCI instructor comes to your facility (or any location you choose) to deliver the course. We offer volume discounts - the more you train, the more you save.

  • In a one-day class (9:00 – 17:00), your team will have the benefit of learning directly from a PCI SSC seasoned instructor. (Many companies hold this training in conjunction with a corporate meeting or member event, thereby maximizing time and travel budget.)
  • The on-site "classroom" environment offers collaboration with teammates in a supportive, focused setting which allows your team to get the most out of the training content.
  • Computer based, closed-book exam taken at a PearsonVUE testing center within 30 days of the date of training
    • Attendees will receive credentials and instructions for scheduling their exam at PearsonVUE.
  • Perhaps your team is at different experience levels. The Council will be pleased to provide a “combination package” for your training event. Let us know your training needs and we will customize the training event to the size of your group and specific experience levels.
    • For example, you may have 35 people to get trained across three class levels - 15 at the Awareness level, 10 at the PCIP level, and 10 at the ISA level - we can tailor the training event to meet your needs.

Get more information on Corporate Group Training option.

In addition to PCI Professional, some of our other popular courses delivered onsite include:

More information or Custom Quote
See what other companies have said:
WPM EDUCATION:
View Case Study >
Bankalararası Kart Merkezi A.Ş. (BKM):
View Case Study >

ISA/QSA Opt-in

Internal Security Assessors (ISAs) and Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs)/Associate Qualified Security Assessors (AQSAs) in good standing may choose to add the individual PCIP qualification to recognize their already proven level of expertise.

This accreditation is available to ISAs and QSAs/AQSAs through registration with PCI SSC. Once you register and pay the opt-in fee you will simply have to complete the online application which includes uploading a signed Attestation and agreeing to the download the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Opt-In Now

Requalification Requirements

In order to maintain the high standards, set for this qualification, all PCIPs must requalify every three years to continue to maintain their status and be listed on the PCI website.

Requalification requirements help ensure that PCIPs remain current with technical and industry changes and demonstrate professionalism. To maintain active qualification status, PCIPs must:

  • Abide by the PCI SSC Code of Professional Responsibility
  • Meet the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirement of 10 CPE hours per year and 30 CPE hours over a rolling three year period
    • Download the CPE Maintenance Guide
    • Training provided by PCI SSC will count towards the annual CPE hours
  • Achieve a passing score on the requalification exam (or maintain QSA employee or ISA qualification in good standing)

Requalification Process

The Council emails courtesy reminders 90 days in advance of your qualification expiry date. To complete the requalification process, the required CPE hours and a requalification registration must be submitted prior to the expiry date and a passing score must be achieved on the exam no later than 14 days after the expiry date.

  • For your convenience, CPE hours can be tracked and stored in the PCI portal at any time
  • Once the required number of CPE hours has been recorded, select a requalification option and submit your registration
    • Two options are available: requalification training and exam or requalification exam only
  • An invoice will be emailed within 2-3 business days
  • You will receive an email containing instructions and credentials to complete the requalification exam within 2 business days of payment processing
  • Once you successfully pass the exam, a new certificate will be emailed and you’ll be listed on the PCI website as a PCI Professional for another three years
Download the CPE Maintenance Guide Go To The Portal
Download Course Description View Bit9 Case Study > View Excentus Case Study > More on the Blog > Watch The Video >
REGISTER NOW

Right for you?

If you have experience in any of these areas, consider the PCIP Qualification:
  • Security/Technology
  • Compliance/Risk/Governance
  • Audit/Finance
  • e-Commerce
  • Product Development, Marketing or Sales (develop or sell payments-oriented products)
Have a question on
PCIP qualification?

“The training provided a background in PCI and gave me better understanding of the various requirements – the highlight was the personal instruction and lively classroom dynamic with the ability to learn from others’ questions.”

“My PCIP qualification positions me as a subject matter expert where I use my understanding of compensating controls, segmentation, and PCI scoping, to provide my clients with innovative solutions that facilitate their PCI compliance.”

“The training around network configuration and monitoring requirements provided an immediate benefit in helping to implement new systems appropriately.”

↑

Download Case Studies

View Bit9 Case Study
View Excentus Case Study

Our website uses both essential and non-essential cookies (further described in our Privacy Policy) to analyze use of our products and services. By clicking “ACCEPT” below, you are agreeing to our use of non-essential cookies to provide third parties with information about your usage and activities. If you click “DECLINE” below, we will continue to use essential cookies for the operation of the website.

AcceptDecline