CMMC Certification Costs in 2026: What You Need to Know

The CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) final rule is here, meaning CMMC compliance will be required for all organizations that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI) as well as any contracts with a DFARS 252.204-7012 clause.

If you’re a defense contractor or sell to a business within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), you’ll want to know how much CMMC compliance will cost you. When budgeting for CMMC compliance you’ll need to consider the work that goes into readiness, gap analysis, remediation, and your final assessment. 

Whether you require level 1 or level 2 certification, this guide will give you an idea on the cost of CMMC compliance.

How Much Does CMMC Certification Cost?

CMMC is new so exact costs may change and will depend on a range of factors including: 

• CMMC certification level
• Organization size
• Existing cybersecurity posture
• Scope of your CUI
• Working with a Registered Provider Organization (RPO) or in-house  

But here’s a rough guide as to what CMMC compliance will cost at each level: 

CMMC Level 1 Certification Cost Breakdown

CMMC Level 1 certification can range from $5,000 - $15,000. This typically covers self-assessments and limited remediation efforts.

Level 1 is for organizations that need to meet basic cyber hygiene practices to protect FCI. There are only 15 requirements for Level 1 and many organizations will be able to achieve this level through a self-assessment rather than a formal third-party audit. 

CMMC Level 2 Certification Cost Breakdown

CMMC Level 2 certification can range from $50,000 - $200,000+.

Level 2 is the most common certification level and is mandatory for organizations that handle CUI. 

Level 2 requires 110 security controls aligned with NIST SP 800-171 and a formal assessment by a C3PAO. Due to strict CMMC requirements, costs will be higher than level 1. Larger organizations with complex CUI flows should also expect higher costs.

Often the biggest cost in achieving CMMC Level 2 is the work to implement and remediate controls, this can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $150,000+ depending on the complexity and current state of your security posture. Other Level 2 expenses include: 

• Assessment fees (with a registered C3PAO): $30,000-75,000
• Documentation and System Security Plan (SSP): $12,000-60,000

CMMC Level 3 Certification Cost Breakdown  

CMMC Level 3 certification can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $1m+.

Level 3 is only for contractors supporting highly sensitive DoD programs and managing critical national security information. There are 134 requirements to meet Level 3, including the 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls from Level 2, plus 24 more from NIST SP 800-172.

The costs of achieving CMMC Level 3 are higher than Level 2 due to the increased time needed for preparation, implementation, assessment, and remediation. 

What Are the Factors That Impact CMMC Certification Cost?

Several factors affect what you'll pay for CMMC certification. Understanding these factors helps you plan a realistic budget and spot where you can manage costs.

Organization Size: Larger organizations typically have more users, extra tools, management systems, and complex infrastructure. This naturally drives up costs for implementing security controls, collecting evidence, and training staff.

Existing Cybersecurity Posture: The time and cost to CMMC certification will depend on your existent security posture. Mature programs already compliant with cybersecurity standards like ISO 27001 or SOC2 will typically spend less on remediation.

Scope Containment: The smaller your assessment scope, the lower your costs. When you identify exactly which systems and assets are in scope and limit where CUI flows you can reduce your costs.

IT Infrastructure Complexity: The larger and more complex your networks, the more work you’ll likely have to do to ensure everything is CMMC compliant.

Other cost multipliers include: Number of locations or facilities, types and volume of CUI handled, your supply chain and subcontractor complexity.

CMMC Cost Optimization Strategies

CMMC certification costs out of your budget? Luckily, this can be reduced with scope management, leveraging expertise, and efficient workflows. Here are some strategies to consider.

1. Scope Containment and CUI Management

Limit CUI flow to reduce the number of systems in-scope. This includes limiting access to CUI only to limited personnel and systems, regular audits, and network segmentation. Narrowing CUI scope can cut remediation and assessment costs and efforts by 20 - 40%.

2. Managed Security Services

Outsource manual security tasks, infrastructure, or ongoing security operations to Managed Security Services (MSSPs) or compliance partners. They can help streamline CMMC compliance, accelerate readiness, and provide access to experienced teams without increasing overhead.

3. Automation and Compliance Tools

Improve efficiency, manage continuous compliance, and achieve certification faster with compliance management platforms like Workstreet. They often come with automation tools and strategies to reduce human error and audit prep time across frameworks like CMMC.

4. CMMC Assessment and Audit Costs

You can’t avoid the costs for a formal assessment by C3PAOs, potential re-assessments, POA&M validation, and assessor travel. However, proper scoping and preparation beforehand can help control fees by reducing unnecessary back-and-forth.

Go deeper: For a full breakdown of compliance requirements, check out our CMMC compliance checklist here.

CMMC Documentation and Preparation Expenses

A System Security Plan (SSP) and supporting documentation is needed for CMMC certification preparation. Several options for documentation are available, with the right approach depending on your internal expertise, available time, and budget.

• DIY: Costs range from $5,000 - $15,000. While it’s a low cost option, creating your own documentation can be time-consuming and result in gaps.
• Consultant: Costs range from $15,000 - $40,000. While there’s a higher upfront cost, consultants are highly experienced and fast.
• Templates: Costs range from $2,000 - $5,000. While templates require full customization, it’s an affordable starting point if you’ve never done CMMC documentation before.

Ongoing CMMC Maintenance and Re-certification Costs

CMMC compliance is not a one-time expense, it is an ongoing commitment. Your organization should maintain security controls, monitor and update systems, and prepare for re-certification every three years.

Common recurring expenses include:

• Annual security reviews: $5,000 - $15,000
• Technology updates: Costs vary depending on infrastructure changes
• Compliance monitoring: $10,000 - $30,000 annually
• Recertification assessment: Fees will be similar to the initial C3PAO assessment

Streamline CMMC Certification with Workstreet

The CMMC certification process can be complex and time-consuming. As an AI-powered CMMC RPO, Workstreet helps you automate your CMMC Level 2 compliance, protect CUI, and get ready for certification, with a comprehensive AI-enabled security program.

From AI-powered SSPs to automated POA&M management, Workstreet helps you get CMMC certified and stay compliant with confidence.

Learn how we can help you achieve CMMC compliance fast. Schedule a call.

CMMC Certification Cost FAQs

What are the three CMMC Levels?

CMMC is a mandatory framework for defense contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It ensures organizations within the Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain protect sensitive information from data breaches and cyber attacks.

To achieve CMMC certification, the organization must meet strict cybersecurity requirements to verify that the necessary security controls and processes are in place. CMMC 2.0, which is the most recent iteration of the CMMC model, has three certification levels:

• CMMC Level 1 - Foundational: Requires 17 practices from FAR 52.204-21 (Basic Safeguarding). You should aim for this level if you’re an organization handling only Federal Contract Information (FCI). You can achieve Level 1 through an annual self-assement.
• CMMC Level 2 - Advanced: Applies to organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). It requires implementing all 110 controls from NIST SP 800-171, as referenced in DFARS 252.204-7012. To achieve Level 2 you’ll need to pass a third-party assessment with a C3PAO every 3 years, though some non-prioritized programs may be able to complete an annual self-assessment.‍
• CMMC Level 3 - Expert: Covers contractors supporting the most sensitive DoD data and programs. It requires a subset of enhanced security requirements from NIST SP 800-172 security controls. To achieve Level 3 you need to pass a Government-led assessment conducted by DoD. Only around 1% of organizations requirement CMMC will need Level 3. 

The total certification cost will vary depending on several factors, which will be covered in the sections below.

How do CMMC certification costs compare to other cybersecurity frameworks?

Generally, estimated costs for CMMC certification Level 2 and 3 is more expensive than other basic frameworks like NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 27001. This is due to the specific CMMC assessment process including formal auditing and implementation costs.

Can a small business afford CMMC certification?

CMMC certification can provide a competitive edge to small businesses by demonstrating a strict commitment to cybersecurity. With budgeting and strategic approaches, a small business can afford certification, especially if they’re only requiring Level 1.