What You Should Know Before Taking the ISP Certification Exam

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE ISP Certification-The Industrial Security Professional Exam 

• Almost all of the test answers can be found in NISPOM, if you can answer most of the questions, you can pass the exam.
• Pass or fail is based on entire test
• Not penalized for failing portions or electives; only overall score counts
• Practice using searchable electronic NISPOM version with ISLS. Practice the way you expect to test.
• Use sample questions and use "search" function to find answers in the online NISPOM.
• Reduce time/increase pass probability

Some questions can be answered with word for word search. Know how to search PDF documents (NISPOM)

• Some questions can be answered with topical search
• Know which chapter an answer can be found by topic (Chapter 1-policy, structure and inter-agency coordination and hierarchy, Chapter 3-Training, Chapter 8 Information System Security, etc)
•  Don’t memorize the NISPOM, just know how to word search or narrow information to appropriate chapter.
• Be familiar with chapter headings and contents

We hope this has been helpful with your ISP Certification studies. Our intent is to complement your preparation with a beneficial study guide. If you found this training beneficial, consider ordering our book: ISP Certification-The Industrial Security Professional Exam Manual or the ISP Certification preparation training.


Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing Red Bike Publishing . Jeff is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. He also owns Red bike Publishing. Published books include: "Get Rich in a Niche-Insider's Guide to Self Publishing in a Specialized Industry" and "Commitment-A Novel". Jeff is an expert in security and has written many security books including: "Insider's Guide to Security Clearances" and "DoD Security Clearances and Contracts Guidebook", "ISP Certification-The Industrial Security Professional Exam Manual", and NISPOM/FSO Training" See Red Bike Publishing for print copies of: Army Leadership, The Ranger Handbook, The Army Physical Readiness Manual, Drill and Ceremonies, The ITAR,and The NISPOM