topic Re: CISSP endorsement delays in Exams

CISSP endorsement delays

tbd — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:49 GMT

Hello everyone!

I submitted CISSP endorsement application on Dec 28th 2024. 5+ weeks later, there's still no update on the portal. The application appears to be stuck in the 'Received' stage. Has the average processing time increased from 4–6 weeks? @Kaity

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

nkeaton — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

That is not unusual. Most of my endorsements, even the ones that only needed to accept the code of ethics took around 4 weeks. I am sure that they are probably catching up from holidays and have had some really bad weather there. I know that it seems like forever. Unfortunately your certificate will be March 1 instead of February 1 now. Congratulations on your exam. It is a big deal, and ISC2 tries to keep the integrity of the exams.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

dcontesti — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 18:49:54 GMT

@nkeaton @tbd

Kaity (one of the system Administrators) just posted that endorsements are taking a full 4 - 6 weeks presently.

I would wait until the 6 week level after which I would reach out to customer Service (https://isc2.og/contact-us) to see if they can assist you.

Regards

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

nkeaton — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:46:07 GMT

Thank you for sharing that. With the time of year and the weather this January, I am not surprised. ISC2’s move saved them from hurricanes but not the bitter cold.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

dcontesti — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 22:44:15 GMT

When did ISC2 move its operations. I know their corporate Head Office is in the DC are but thought that operations were still in Florida?

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

tbd — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 21:36:49 GMT

@Rooks How long did it take for you to get the approval?

I agree, ISC2 should plan something to speed up the process. I believe many people will be happy to volunteer if needed.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

ascharf — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 16:08:25 GMT

It takes them a ridiculously long time! I am at the 6 week mark today. For other certifications I've earned, it was literally just a few days! I mean....this is slower than the DMV....

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

dcontesti — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 22:06:54 GMT

@Rooks,

Hmmmm, 4 -6+ is an average and depending on circumstances which can very. End of Year, lots of folks jumping on the band wagon to get the certs (spending last year's budget, holidays (remember all Endorsements, etc. are handled out of the Florida office (so skeleton staff for Christmas and New Year)), weather (yes hurricanes happen), staff sick, etc.

If you check with other certification bodies, they also post a 4 - 6 week window for this process.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

susAdmin — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:49:06 GMT

I agree. This "delay" seems to be a permanent feature.

Maybe ISC2 should consider hiring more people to clear the backlog at least (or work some overtime) and spend those big bucks (AMFs, etc). Or streamline the process, whatever it is currently.

I recently sent some questions and feedback about the "mandatory" data ISC2 is collecting on registration forms which is especially weird from a security/privacy related company. Also a buggy profile page that couldn't be updated etc and received some "who cares, just give us your money" type of answer.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

nkeaton — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:04:09 GMT

I am hoping that this backlog is mostly because of recovering from the holidays and ISC2 moving to someplace that had a bad last few weeks of winter weather. They did at least escape the hurricanes this year of their old location. I do not think that 4 weeks is bad for them to properly vet endorsements. I have never had that kind of response from ISC2 but understand that many are not having any luck calling them. I would suggest attending the next quarterly meeting live and bringing that up. They are on BrightTalk.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

nkeaton — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 18:40:36 GMT

@Rooks Both of my ISACA certifications took about 4 weeks. I have never had one go over 5 weeks with ISC2, most were 4 since the endorsement process was automated. Besides ISC2 dates the certificate the first of the month following everything being done on the endorsement and first AMF; so that may be very different than when took the exam. I want ISC2 to carefully check the endorsement applications. There are many who attempt to cheat on experience to get the endorsement. Again I suggest since there have been complaints on turnaround to join the quarterly meeting live to ask the question.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

denbesten — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 20:47:58 GMT

@Rooks wrote:

... that's ridiculous. ... blah blah blah, ... bunch of excuses ... as you heard ... don't try to justify ... pls don't say ...

First, @dcontesti is not an ISC2 employee. She is just a certified member, like me and (hopefully soon) you. She was just trying to fill you in on a few of her observations. Responding with anger towards her is not appropriate. I think you owe Diana-Lynn an apology.

Second, Leading with anger is not effective. Me, I tend to focus on the anger and miss the desired message. My edit above is pretty much all I heard. There is an old saying "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar". I learned this in a (now) 90 year old book entitled "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. A good read and still relevant today, but I digress. With "honey" in mind, perhaps you could reframe your concern into a constructive suggestion. Something like this would likrly increase the odds of an outcome you desire:

------------------

A 4 to 6 week (or more) queue for endorsement seems excessive, especially given that it has apparently become the norm. Wondering if consideration has been given to increasing staffing to reduce this down to 2-3 weeks during normal times, peaking at no greater than 3-4 weeks during the annual end-of-year rush. And, maybe hire temporary works to help when backlogs start to grow. If my AMF must increase to support the responsiveness I ask of ISC2, so be it.

Thanks,

Rooks.

-------------------

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

dcontesti — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 22:13:21 GMT

@Rooks @denbesten @mariatirado @Kaity

Well @rooks, I was trying to be polite but 30+ year working at a Steel Mill has taught me that not all people deserve politeness.

Quite frankly, I posted because I am TIRED of your negativity.

You never have anything positive to say. No never offer advice to anyone on here.

It is easier for you come here and WHINE.

You will note that I have copied several of the admins, to ensure that my distaste of your antics are well known.

In your mind the organisation should hire one staff member for every candidate?

PLEASE STOP THE INCESSANT WHINING. You are not happy, go someplace else.

Diana-Lynn Contesti

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

tbd — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 03:28:13 GMT

Just a quick update! Got my application approved after 6+ weeks.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

KarolinaPajak — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 11:24:51 GMT

Congrats! I'm still waiting for my CISSP endorsement application to be approved. It is over 6 weeks, I tried to contact the isc2 via chat and contact form but I didn't get any reply 😞

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

nkeaton — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:07:01 GMT

@KarolinaPajak , from everything that I have seen between the holidays and bad weather in their new location, it is taking about 6 weeks. I know that seems like forever. Congratulations on passing.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

epomatti — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:27:27 GMT

@KarolinaPajak on week 5 here too.

In my application confirmation says to send an email to programs@isc2.org

Hope this helps, and good luck

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

nkeaton — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:47:26 GMT

@epomatti I would suggest waiting the 6 weeks as has been what others are experiencing. Unless you are completely through the process this week, the date on your certificate will be April 1. It is always the first of the month after everything is completed. Your certification will be the date finished but will not be able to get earn CPEs and until the date on your certificate. Congratulations.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

epomatti — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:50:49 GMT

@nkeaton of course I'll wait for the correct time.. I was talking to the other person there.

Re: CISSP endorsement delays

nkeaton — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 20:09:18 GMT

@epomatti No problem. I work with this every day for our workforce and others and just wanted you to know that It was not just you.