The ISA Certified Automation Professional® (CAP®) certification is a mark of career excellence that affirms your commitment to quality and demonstrates your expertise and knowledge of automation and controls. ISA CAP certification provides you with a non-biased, third-party, objective assessment and confirmation of your skills and expertise as an automation professional.
Who Are CAPs?
CAP Certification Requirements
To become an ISA CAP, you must meet certain education and work experience requirements, pass an exam, and commit to the ISA Code of Conduct. Learn more about CAP requirements.
CAP Body of Knowledge
The CAP Body of Knowledge (BOK) encompasses the full scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for competent job performance. It defines automation project domains, the tasks within the domains, and the knowledge and skills required to complete the tasks. View the CAP Body of Knowledge.
How to Apply
There is no application form to fill out for CAP certification. Simply complete the following steps:
- Commit to the ISA Code of Conduct.
- Meet CAP certification criteria, qualifications, and conditions.
- Acknowledge that you are subject to a random application verification audit.
- Agree to provide the supporting documents proving your qualifications if you are audited.
- Pay the exam fee.
Upon paying the exam fee, the application process is complete, and you have acknowledged that you meet the requirements listed above in numbers 1–3.
Next Steps
- Watch for an email from our testing provider, Meazure Learning (candidatesupport@meazurelearning.com). Expect to receive it fifteen days before your exam window. The email will include information about how to schedule your exam online or at a test center. NOTE: If you have attended a CAP review course and wish to apply for CAP certification, you must also meet the requirements listed above in numbers 1–3. Since the application fee is included in the cost of the CAP review course, you will receive an exam invitation within three business days after completing the review course.
- Schedule and take your exam. You will be notified whether you pass or not immediately upon completing the exam.
- Watch for an email summarizing your exam results. If you pass your exam, you will also receive your digital badge and you will be listed in the ISA Credential Directory.
- Watch for an email from certification@isa.org regarding an audit. You will only receive this email if you have been randomly selected to be audited. If you do not receive this email, you do not need to do anything. Audits are conducted three times per year, so it may take several months after completing your exam to receive an email if you have been selected for an audit.
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About the Exam
You can take the CAP exam online from your office or home if the testing environment meets the requirements and your computer meets specifications. You can also take the exam at a Scantron test center. The CAP exam has 150 multiple-choice questions and is four hours long. Learn more about Certification Exams and Testing.
How to Prepare
We highly recommend taking the Certified Automation Professional (CAP) Exam Review Course (EC00). ISA has also developed an extensive library of training courses, study guides and publications that are built around the technologies and topics covered on the CAP exam. These resources have been developed and reviewed by subject matter experts. Learn more about the review course and the additional resources here.
Reference to Standards and Codes
The aspects of automation covered on the CAP exam reflect the tasks performed in the range of practice settings throughout the United States. Familiarity with the following standards and codes is recommended. Download the Reference to Standards and Codes (PDF).
- ISA Standards
- IEEE Standards
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes and Standards
- National Electrical Code (NEC)
- National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Standards
- International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards
- National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Standards
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Codes and Federal Regulations
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Standards
- US Food and Drug Administration Regulations
- American Petroleum Institute (API) Standards
For International applicants, note that the validation study for the exams was done in the United States, so there may be questions on the exam that reference US standards and codes.