To keep your AIGP, you need 20 continuing privacy education (CPE) credits relevant to the AIGP Body of Knowledge in each two-year term, plus the certification maintenance fee (CMF). That's $250 per term for non-members, or included in IAPP membership. Your term starts when you pass. If you miss the credits or the fee, your certification can be suspended, so track both from the start.
Passing the AIGP is the expensive part. Keeping it is mostly a matter of planning. This guide covers the renewal rules, how credits work, the cheapest ways to earn them, and the mistakes that cause certifications to lapse.
AIGP maintenance requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term length | Two years, starting the day after you pass |
| CPE credits | 20 per term, relevant to the AIGP BoK |
| Maintenance fee (non-members) | $250 per two-year term (the first term is included in the non-member exam fee) |
| Maintenance fee (members) | Included in IAPP membership |
| Reporting | Submit credits through your MyIAPP account |
What counts as AIGP CPE?
IAPP accepts a range of activities, provided they relate to the subject of your credential. Under IAPP's CPE policy, typical categories include:
- IAPP web conferences and training, many of which are free to members and are pre-approved for credits.
- Conferences and events, both IAPP and relevant third-party events.
- Non-IAPP courses and training on AI governance, AI law or AI risk.
- Publishing and speaking on relevant topics, such as articles, presentations and teaching.
- Retaking the exam, which IAPP accepts as an alternative to submitting CPE.
Some activity types have caps. Read the current IAPP CPE policy before you rely heavily on one category.
The lowest-cost ways to earn 20 credits
- IAPP member web conferences. If you're a member, regular free webinars can cover most of your 20 credits over two years.
- Write or speak. An internal training session, a conference talk or a published article on AI governance can qualify.
- Free regulator and standards-body events, such as webinars from national AI or data-protection authorities, where IAPP's policy allows them.
- Employer training on AI governance topics, if it's documented.
- Spread it out. About one credit a month gets you to 20 comfortably, with no rush at the end.
Holding several IAPP certifications
If you hold the AIGP plus a CIPP or CIPM, each credential has its own 20-credit requirement. IAPP allows a single qualifying activity to count towards more than one credential where it's relevant to each, for example a session on AI and GDPR for both the AIGP and the CIPP/E. Membership covers the maintenance fee for all your IAPP certifications, which is the main financial case for joining once you hold more than one. See AIGP cost breakdown.
What happens if you miss the deadline
- If you don't complete your CPE or pay the fee by the end of your term, your certification can be suspended, and you shouldn't use the AIGP designation while it's suspended.
- IAPP describes options for reinstating suspended certifications. Contact IAPP certification support promptly if you're late.
- Update your CV and LinkedIn if your status changes. Claiming an inactive credential creates trust problems with employers.
A sample 20-credit plan for AIGP holders
| Activity | Credits (illustrative) |
|---|---|
| Eight one-hour IAPP web conferences on AI governance | 8 |
| Sessions at one AI governance or privacy conference | 6 |
| A short course on a topic such as AI security or ISO/IEC 42001 | 4 |
| Presenting an internal session on EU AI Act readiness | 2 |
| Total | 20 |
Credit values are illustrative. The IAPP CPE policy sets the actual rules for each activity type, including any limits. Keep certificates or agendas for every activity.
Topics that make good AIGP CPE
- EU AI Act implementation: guidance, codes of practice, standards and enforcement
- US state AI laws and federal policy changes
- AI risk and impact assessment methods (ISO/IEC 42005, FRIAs)
- AI security: prompt injection, agentic AI, red teaming
- Generative AI governance: provenance, copyright, content labelling
- Sector topics: AI in finance, healthcare, employment
Choosing topics you need at work makes CPE useful rather than a box-ticking exercise.
Membership vs maintenance fee
| You hold | Pay the $250 fee | Buy membership |
|---|---|---|
| AIGP only | $250 per 2 years | About $590 per 2 years (Professional) |
| AIGP + one CIPP or CIPM | $500 per 2 years | About $590 per 2 years, plus member resources |
| AIGP + two others | $750 per 2 years | About $590 per 2 years |
Membership also gives member pricing on future exams and access to IAPP resources and web conferences. Check current prices on the IAPP site.
Common renewal mistakes
- Logging all credits in the last month and finding some don't qualify.
- Forgetting that each certification needs 20 credits, even if activities can be shared.
- Letting membership lapse without paying the maintenance fee instead.
- Keeping no evidence in case of an audit.
A simple renewal tracking system
- Put your term end date in your calendar, with reminders at 6 months and 2 months.
- Log each activity when you complete it: date, title, provider, credits, and the certificate or proof.
- Submit credits in MyIAPP as you go, not all at the end.
- Non-members: budget $250 for the maintenance fee before your term ends.
Make the credential work after you pass
The AIGP Complete Pack's After You Pass guide covers activating your certification, planning CPE, and presenting the AIGP to employers.
Get the Complete Pack →Frequently asked questions
How many CPE credits do I need for the AIGP?
You need 20 CPE credits relevant to the AIGP Body of Knowledge in each two-year term.
How much does it cost to renew the AIGP?
Non-members pay a $250 certification maintenance fee each two-year term. Members have it included in membership. CPE can often be earned for free.
Does the AIGP expire?
It doesn't simply expire. If you don't meet the CPE and fee requirements by the end of your term, it can be suspended until you do.
Can one activity count for my AIGP and my CIPP/E?
Yes, if it's relevant to both credentials' bodies of knowledge, under IAPP's CPE policy.
Can I retake the exam instead of earning CPE?
IAPP accepts passing the current exam again as a way to recertify, although most people find CPE cheaper and easier.
Is IAPP membership cheaper than the AIGP maintenance fee?
For one certification, the $250 fee per two years is cheaper than Professional membership. With two or more IAPP certifications, membership often costs about the same or less, and it adds member exam pricing and resources.
What topics count as AIGP CPE?
Activities relevant to AI governance, such as AI regulation, risk and impact assessment, AI security and responsible AI practice. Check the IAPP CPE policy for the rules on each activity type.
Sources
- IAPP Store: AIGP Exam (20 credits, $250 CMF, two-year term)
- IAPP: Stay certified
- IAPP: CPE policy
- IAPP Store: Certification Maintenance Fee
Last reviewed: October 2026. CPE category caps and reinstatement rules are set in IAPP's CPE policy, which can change.