Advance Your Cybersecurity Career with CMMC Certification: From CCP to CCA

For professionals seeking to make a real impact in securing national assets - and advance their own careers in the process - earning a CMMC certification offers a unique and valuable pathway. Whether you aim to support defense contractors, participate in formal assessments, or simply enhance your cybersecurity credentials, becoming a CMMC Certified Professional (CCP) and eventually a Certified Assessor (CCA) positions you as a trusted authority in the DoD cybersecurity ecosystem.

There are two primary roles within the CMMC ecosystem:

CMMC Certified Professional (CCP) – The entry-level certification that validates foundational knowledge of the CMMC framework. It serves as the gateway certification for further advancement.

CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA) – A more advanced role for professionals responsible for conducting CMMC Level 2 assessments. To become a CCA, you must first be a CCP.

The CCP certification is ideal for individuals looking to demonstrate their CMMC knowledge, whether or not they plan to pursue an assessor role. It qualifies professionals to participate in assessments (with limitations), consult for organizations seeking certification, and contribute to CMMC readiness efforts.

●A college degree in cybersecurity or IT, or

●2+ years of related education or experience (including military experience), and

●CompTIA A+ certification or equivalent knowledge/experience, and

●Completion of DoD CUI Awareness Training from usalearning.gov.

To earn your CCP certification and appear in The Cyber AB Marketplace, you must:

●Apply and remain in good standing with CAICO (CMMC Assessment and Implementation Certification Organization),

●Sign and comply with the CAICO agreements,

●Pay all application and annual renewal fees,

●Complete a CCP training course through an Approved Training Provider (ATP),

●Pass the CCP exam, and

●Obtain a Tier 3 background determination from the DoD.

Note: As a CCP, you can participate in CMMC Level 2 assessments, but only to verify Level 1 practices. You cannot make final determinations—those are reserved for CCAs and Lead CCAs.

Once you have achieved the CCP designation, you can pursue certification as a CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA)—the credential that authorizes professionals to lead and conduct CMMC Level 2 assessments for defense contractors handling CUI.

To become a certified CCA and be recognized on The Cyber AB Marketplace, you must:

●Hold an active CCP certification,

●Maintain a Tier 3 determination from the DoD,

●Apply and remain in good standing with CAICO,

●Sign and comply with required agreements,

●Pay all applicable fees,

●Complete a CCA training course through an ATP,

●Pass the CCA examination,

●Have at least three (3) years of cybersecurity experience,

●Have at least one (1) year of assessment or audit experience, and

●Hold at least one DoD-approved baseline certification aligned with the Intermediate or Advanced Proficiency Level from the DoD 8140.3 Cyberspace Workforce Framework (Work Role 612 - Security Control Assessor).

Whether your goal is to assist defense contractors in preparing for CMMC compliance, participate in assessments, or advance your own cybersecurity career, becoming a CMMC-certified professional provides:

As the Department of Defense continues to enforce CMMC across its supply chain, the demand for qualified professionals will grow. Earning your CCP and CCA certifications positions you at the forefront of this movement, enabling you to help secure our nation’s sensitive data while growing your professional capabilities.