PCI Certification 2025 Breakdown: Cost, Benefits, and More

Are you an IT professional, data handler, or supervisor? Then you must understand the importance of data to your organization. A single breach could destroy your entire business reputation. In fact, over 67.7% of businesses in the United States have already experienced significant data loss. Organizations continue to struggle with protecting critical information.

That’s where the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) comes in. It’s a globally recognized security framework that any company handling debit or credit card information must follow to protect cardholder data. In most cases, employees are expected to enroll in a PCI certification program to learn how to implement, manage, and audit secure payment systems.

But securing your systems and staying compliant comes at a cost. In this guide, we’ll explore the PCI certification cost, factors affecting it, and other details.

What is a PCI Certification?

PCI certification is a course you take to ensure the security of card data at your business. It is built around a set of requirements and commonly known best practices, such as the installation of firewalls, encryption of data transmissions, and use of antivirus software.

The course also teaches businesses how to restrict access to cardholder data and monitor access to network resources.

PCI-compliant security is a valuable asset that reassures customers that your business is safe to transact with. On the flip side, the cost of noncompliance should be enough to convince any business owner to take data security seriously.

Read More: PCI Certification Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to Compliance

Types of PCI Certifications 

There are several types of PCI certifications, each serving a different role in the compliance ecosystem. The cost of these certifications largely depends on the type of certification you pursue. Here's an overview:

PCI Professional (PCIP)

This foundational certification is for individuals looking to demonstrate a solid understanding of PCI DSS. Offered by the PCI Security Standards Council, the PCIP is ideal for compliance officers, IT leads, and security consultants.

Qualified Security Assessor (QSA)

A QSA is authorized to audit and validate an organization’s PCI DSS compliance. This certification is designed for professionals working at firms that provide PCI compliance and safety.

Internal Security Assessor (ISA)

An ISA is trained to evaluate their own organization’s PCI DSS compliance. This certification is ideal for large enterprises with in-house compliance teams. It equips them with the skills to analyze, validate, and maintain their company’s PCI DSS compliance.

PCI Awareness Training

This is a non-certification program designed to educate general staff on the importance of PCI DSS and best practices in data security. It's perfect for employees who don’t directly handle compliance tasks but still play a crucial role in protecting cardholder data through safe daily practices.

Read More: Elevating HR in Healthcare: Key Compliance Trends for 2025

What is the Current PCI Certification Cost?

PCI certification expenses may vary depending on your profession. In most cases, the courses are designed for IT professionals, account data handlers, and supervisors. The same applies to PCI compliance pricing, which is influenced by the certification provider and the type of certification you choose.

On that note, here is an overview of the cost of  PCI certification for some popular programs:

3DS Assessor Training Fees

3DS Software Development Kit (SDK) Fees

Participating Organization (PO) Program Fees

What’s Included in the PCI Certification Cost?

You can get an exact estimate of the certification costs by visiting the websites of accredited course providers. Meanwhile, here is a list of factors typically included in the overall certification cost for PCI:

Firewall

PCI DSS requires you to have a firewall to protect customer data. For most businesses, this involves paying an ongoing annual or monthly fee for a pre-developed firewall, along with paying developers to update it as needed.

Data Encryption

Another requirement is that you must encrypt any payment data during transmission. This is a specific process implemented by your internal or outsourced developers. It is one of the most important workplace laws that you need to know for safeguarding critical data.

Antivirus Software

PCI DSS also requires your organization to use antivirus software when accepting or processing payments. This helps block viruses from infiltrating your network and accessing customer data. In most cases, certification providers consider this an ongoing subscription fee that must be paid during the course.

Identity Verification and Access Control

Your organization must limit access to sensitive data within the network. This helps ensure PCI compliance across all levels. To do this, you must implement an identity verification system to confirm that only authorized individuals have access to cardholder data.

While some organizations have internal developers to build and manage access control systems, most businesses purchase them from external vendors. As a result, an ongoing annual or monthly licensing fee is typically required.

Network Security

Your company’s network must be securely configured and continuously monitored to meet PCI DSS standards. While this isn’t a service you can purchase outright like antivirus software or a firewall, it can incur costs in the form of your developers’ time and resources.

Training and Policy Development

PCI DSS not only outlines technical requirements but also mandates the development and maintenance of compliance-related policies. Creating appropriate policies and training your entire team can add up in labor and administrative costs.

Read More: Understanding OSHA's General Duty Clause

Factors Affecting PCI Certification Expenses

The cost of obtaining PCI DSS certification isn’t fixed and can vary widely depending on several business-specific variables. Below are the key factors that influence the final pricing:

Type and Size of Business

Larger organizations that process millions of transactions annually usually have higher PCI compliance costs due to their complexity. Conversely, smaller merchants may qualify for self-assessment and face lower expenses.

Assessment Method (SAQ vs QSA)

Businesses eligible to complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) incur lower costs than those required to hire a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) for an external audit. QSA audits involve onsite assessments, documentation reviews, and in-depth testing, all of which increase costs.

Scope of Cardholder Data Environment (CDE)

The larger and more complex the environment that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data, the more expensive it is to bring it into compliance. Streamlining or reducing the scope of your CDE can help lower PCI costs.

Security Gaps and Remediation Needs

If your organization lacks proper firewalls, encryption, or secure protocols, you'll likely need to invest in these tools to meet PCI standards. The cost of remediation, including hardware, software, and professional services, can significantly raise the total expense.

Internal Team vs Third-Party Support

Hiring third-party vendors, such as managed security service providers (MSSPs) or consultants, can increase certification costs. However, this often ensures faster and more reliable compliance. Companies with strong internal IT and security teams may reduce the need for external support and lower overall costs.

Training and Awareness

PCI awareness programs and security workshops are a mandate so that they can help you maintain compliance. These programs may also carry additional costs depending on the provider type and the scope of training.

Frequency of Assessments

A few businesses may require annual PCI DSS audits, while others want more frequent check-ins or vulnerability scans. Ongoing compliance monitoring and reporting tools can contribute to long-term certification costs. 

Enroll in PCI Certification Now!

PCI certification is important, especially if you work in an organization that handles large amounts of customer data. It helps you learn effective tips and techniques to prevent or respond to data breaches. Most importantly, you must also know the PCI certification cost, especially if you work in an organization that handles large amounts of customer data. It helps you learn effective tips and techniques to prevent or respond to data breaches. If you’re interested in learning more about data breaches and how to address them, enroll in the certification now! 

References

• https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/program_training_and_qualification/fees/

• https://sprinto.com/blog/pci-dss-certification-cost/

• https://www.securitymetrics.com/blog/how-much-does-pci-compliance-cost