Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E)
The Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E) is the leading privacy certification for professionals working with European data protection laws. It demonstrates expertise in GDPR compliance and global data governance principles.
What is Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E)?
The CIPP/E certification, issued by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), is the industry standard for demonstrating a deep understanding of the European data protection framework.
It covers essential principles of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), national implementation requirements, and best practices for managing data privacy compliance across international organisations.
This CIPP/E certification guide was written by our team of cyber security experts.
What topics does a CIPP/E certification cover?
The CIPP/E syllabus focuses on three main areas:
European Data Protection Law and Regulation
Understanding the GDPR and related EU directives.
Compliance and Operational Practices
Implementing data protection programs in business contexts.
Key Privacy Concepts
Such as lawful processing, consent, cross-border data transfers, and data subject rights.
It also includes an overview of the European institutions, legal systems, and supervisory authorities responsible for enforcing privacy law.
How do I earn a CIPP/E certification?
To achieve your CIPP/E certification:
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Register for the CIPP/E exam through the IAPP.
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Prepare using official study resources or take our CIPP/E training course.
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Pass the exam, which assesses your knowledge of GDPR, data protection roles, and compliance operations.
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Maintain your certification by earning Continuing Privacy Education (CPE) credits each year through ongoing professional development.
What are the pre-requisites of a CIPP/E certification?
There are no formal pre-requisites for taking the CIPP/E exam. However, it’s recommended for professionals with experience or interest in:
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Data protection, privacy compliance, or legal regulation
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Information governance or risk management
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Cybersecurity and data processing operations
Prior familiarity with GDPR principles or privacy frameworks helps candidates perform more confidently on the exam.
Which roles require a CIPP/E certification?
CIPP/E is widely recognised by employers seeking professionals with data protection and compliance expertise. Roles that frequently require or prefer CIPP/E certification include:
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Privacy or Compliance Manager
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Information Governance Lead
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Legal Counsel (Data Protection)
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Cybersecurity or Risk Consultant
As privacy regulations tighten globally, demand for certified privacy professionals has surged. According to LinkedIn data, demand for CIPP/E-certified specialists in Europe has grown by 20% in the past year.
Is CIPP/E worth it?
The CIPP/E is regarded as the gold standard in European privacy certification. It validates expertise in GDPR compliance — a skillset increasingly sought by global employers.
Career growth: CIPP/E holders often move into senior compliance or governance roles.
Industry recognition: CIPP/E is the only certification recognised under ISO/IEC 17024 for European data protection.
Earning potential: Privacy professionals in the UK with IAPP certifications earn between up to £66k[1], depending on experience and sector.
Employer demand: As data protection becomes a strategic business priority, CIPP/E is a differentiator for those managing privacy compliance across multinational operations.
Prepare for the CIPP exam with our course
This course is designed for anyone whose work is related to the processing of personal data, particularly those in the public sector and from EU institutions, agencies and bodies
Prepare for the CIPP/E exam
What is the exam structure of CIPP/E?
The CIPP/E exam comprises 90 multiple-choice questions delivered via computer-based testing. Candidates have 150 minutes to complete the exam.
Questions are scenario-based and focus on interpreting GDPR principles and applying them to real-world compliance situations.
The passing score is 300 out of 500. The exam is available in English, French, and German, and can be scheduled through the IAPP’s testing partner, Pearson VUE.
What study resources are available for CIPP/E?
We offer the CIPP/E training course designed to prepare you for the exam with instructor-led sessions and GDPR application exercises.
Other recommended materials include:
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Official CIPP/E Textbook: European Data Protection, Third Edition
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IAPP online practice tests and sample questions
These resources provide comprehensive coverage of the CIPP/E domains and reinforce practical application of privacy laws.
Does a CIPP/E certification expire?
CIPP/E certification holders must maintain their credential through the IAPP’s Continuing Privacy Education (CPE) program. This requires earning 20 CPE credits annually and paying a renewal fee.
Maintaining certification ensures professionals remain up to date with evolving data protection laws and industry best practices.
Why choose QA for CIPP/E training?
Proud partner of IAPP
QA is an official training partner providing privacy professionals with IAPP training anywhere in the world.
Training led by cyber security experts
Our IAPP training courses are the foundation of preparation for IAPP certification exams and the best way to gain in-depth knowledge of laws, regulatory environments, and operational issues.
More ways to learn
Our expert-led CIPP training can be taken virtually with an instructor, or in-person in a classroom.
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