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AAIA preparation guide
AAIA cost: exam, application, retakes and maintenance
Direct answer
To sit the AAIA exam and apply for the credential, an ISACA member pays US$509 (US$459 exam plus US$50 application) and a non-member pays US$649 (US$599 plus US$50). Maintenance is then US$20 a year for members or US$35 for non-members, and that one fee covers every ISACA Advanced credential you hold. Retakes, an extension, a rescore and preparation are extra.
These are ISACA's prices on October 17, 2026, in US dollars. ISACA lists one US-dollar fee and its pages don't state local taxes or exchange rates, so check the checkout total before you pay.
Your qualifying credential, such as CISA or CIA, must stay active, so its own maintenance continues alongside AAIA's.
Start AAIA baselineAAIA costs (checked October 17, 2026)
| Cost | Member / non-member | When |
|---|---|---|
| Exam registration | US$459 / US$599 | Required; you then have six months to sit |
| Application processing | US$50 / US$50 | Required, after you pass, within five years |
| Annual maintenance | US$20 / US$35 | Each year, due 1 January; one fee covers all Advanced credentials |
| ISACA professional membership | US$145 a year, plus chapter dues | Optional |
| Retake | US$459 / US$599 | Only if needed; up to four attempts in 12 months |
| Eligibility extension | US$75 | Optional; one six-month extension (see the note below) |
| Rescore request | US$75 | Optional, within 30 days of results |
| Official prep products | Priced in ISACA's store | Optional |
Original teaching example
Two attempts, no prep purchases. Member: US$145 membership + US$459 + US$459 + US$50 application = US$1,113. Non-member: US$599 + US$599 + US$50 application = US$1,248.
On one attempt, membership costs US$5 more than it saves (US$145 against a US$140 exam discount), before chapter dues. A retake adds another US$140 saving, so this budget favours membership by US$135. The lower maintenance fee saves US$15 a year, well below a year's membership.
Is ISACA membership worth it for AAIA?
Not on the exam alone; yes if you expect a retake or buy prep products.
The member discount on the exam is US$140, US$5 less than the US$145 membership fee, before chapter dues. Each retake adds another US$140 saving, and ISACA says membership also brings savings on its exam prep materials.
What a retake, an extension or a rescore costs
A retake costs the full exam fee; an extension or a rescore costs US$75.
ISACA allows four attempts in a rolling 12 months, waiting 30, then 90, then 90 days between them. A rescore must be requested within 30 days of your results.
On extensions, the candidate guide is inconsistent: section 2.1 offers a maximum of one six-month extension for US$75, while section 2.3 says no eligibility extensions are allowed. Ask ISACA before you plan on one.
What it costs to keep AAIA
US$20 or US$35 a year, at least 10 hours of AI CPE a year, and an active qualifying credential.
ISACA also asks for 30 CPE hours over each three-year period. The one Advanced maintenance fee covers every ISACA Advanced credential you hold, such as AAISM or AAIR as well as AAIA. Your CISA, CIA or accounting designation keeps its own fees and CPE.
Official prep products
Optional, and priced in ISACA's store.
ISACA sells an Online Review Course, a six-month subscription to its 200+ question QAE database, the Review Manual in digital and print, and a Virtual Workshop. Its 12-question practice quiz is free. CertArc doesn't repeat prep prices here; check ISACA's store for current figures.
Cost in India and other countries
ISACA prices the AAIA exam in US dollars.
CertArc doesn't publish converted totals, because taxes and exchange rates change. In India, mainland China and Hong Kong, AAIA is test-centre only, so include travel to a PSI centre in your budget.
CertArc's AAIA access
The baseline and a 21-day free path come first; plans are on the pricing page.
CertArc's prices are read from live configuration on the pricing page rather than repeated here.
Sources and fact check
Source checked: 2026-10-17
- Study methods and examples are independent CertArc teaching guidance. ISACA's pages are the authority for exam rules and fees, which can change.
- Practice results do not convert to an official score or guarantee a pass. CertArc is not affiliated with or endorsed by ISACA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total cost of AAIA?
At least US$509 for ISACA members or US$649 for non-members to sit and apply, then US$20 or US$35 a year.
Is the AAIA fee different in India?
ISACA lists one fee in US dollars and its pages don't state local taxes. Check the checkout total before you pay.
Does one maintenance fee cover AAISM too?
Yes. ISACA charges one annual fee, US$20 or US$35, for all the Advanced credentials you hold.
Do I pay again to retake AAIA?
Yes, the full exam fee for each attempt.
Are AAIA exam fees refundable?
No. ISACA says exam registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Is the QAE required?
No. It is optional official practice: a six-month subscription to a 200+ question database.
