Certified Protection Professional (CPP)

Download the CPP Action Guide

As you work toward your CPP certification, ASIS resources can help guide you through each step of the process and set you up for success before, during, and after your exam. Use this quick-reference guide to review the steps you’ll need to take to earn your CPP certification.

Take the next step and apply for your CPP Certification.

Apply for CPP

Why Apply for the CPP?

The Certified Protection Professional (CPP) is considered the “gold standard” certification for security management professionals and demonstrates your knowledge and competency in seven key domains of security. Globally recognized as the standard of excellence for security management professionals.

What's on the Exam?

The CPP exam consists of 200 scored multiple-choice questions and may contain 25 "pre-test" (unscored) questions randomly distributed throughout the examination for a total of 225 questions. The time allowed takes into consideration the review of pre-test items.

The exam covers tasks, knowledge, and skills in seven broad domains that have been identified by CPPs as the major areas involved in security management. 

Eligibility

Nine (9) years of security experience*, at least three (3) years of which shall have been in responsible charge* of a security function

OR

Earned a Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education and have seven (7) years of security experience*, at least three (3) years of which shall have been in responsible charge* of a security function.

AND

• Have been employed full-time in a security-related role
• Not have been convicted of any criminal offense that would reflect negatively on the security profession, ASIS, or the certification program
• Sign and agree to abide by the ASIS Certification Code of Conduct
• Agree to abide by the policies of the ASIS Certification programs as outlined in the Certification Handbook.

*Definitions for these terms can be found in the Certification Handbook.

We encourage candidates to refer to the below reference materials as you prepare for the CPP certification exam. Our item writers and reviewers use these same materials to reference the correct answers on our exams. Remember: the ASIS exams are experienced-based; therefore, you will need to apply your own experience to help you answer the questions correctly.  Please don’t attempt to memorize these reference sets. 

He admits that he got into the security field by mistake. Thirty-five years ago, Darin Dillon, CPP, replied to a classified ad in his local newspaper and landed a job as an installation and service specialist with Rollins Protective Services. That position became the basis of his employment master plan.