Take Courses
Get Certified
Attend Events
Explore Resources
About
CBCA-banner image

Certified Business Continuity Lead Auditor (CBCLA)

Apply for Certification

The Certified Business Continuity Lead Auditor is a professional certification for audit team leaders. The requirements to be a CBCLA reflect significant audit experience as well as extensive understanding in emergency management, enterprise risk management and business continuity. Those who have been responsible for planning, scheduling and implementing an audit program are excellent candidates for CBCLA. This designation can be jointly held with other certifications that we offer.

The Certification Process

The CBCLA level of certification is reserved for those professionals that can demonstrate knowledge, experience and leadership in business continuity, emergency management and/or auditing.

There is a prerequisite course requirement for the Auditor Qualifying Examination.

Application Waiver: For those holding current certifications with DRI International, ISACA and ISC2 organizations (CISA, CISSP), a portion of the experience section of the application will be waived.

CBCLA Certification Details

Prerequisite Exam
Application Fee
$400
Annual Renewal Fee
$225
Years of Experience
5
Subject Matter Area Essays (SMEs)
7
References Required
2 per subject matter area
Waivers Available
Reference requirements waived for: MBCP, CISA, CISSP, CISM or CGEIT (in Good Standing)
CBCLA-flowchart Image

To apply for CBCLA certification, all applicants must:

  1. Possess at least five years of significant, practical experience.
  2. Pass the Audit Examination with a minimum score of 75%.
  3. After receiving notification of a passing score, complete the Online Application for Professional Certification by logging into your DRI account.
  4. Provide references to confirm your experience in business continuity planning, emergency and disaster management, and/or audit. Experience must have occurred within a ten-year period from your application date. At least four of the seven selected subject matter essays MUST draw from:
    1. Subject Area 3: Business Impact Analysis
    2. Subject Area 4: Business Continuity Strategies
    3. Subject Area 6: Plan Development and Implementation
    4. Subject Area 8: Business Continuity Plan Exercise/Test, Assessment, and Maintenance

Important Note: Inform your references about your application. Ask for their prompt assistance when DRI International requests validation of your experience and subject area pages. Incomplete applications cause delays in the process, and we may require additional steps and requests from you for additional information.

Once your references have validated your experience, the commissioners will review your application. This review may also prompt the commissioners to contact you for additional information.

About References

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of at least two individuals who can document their experience in each subject area. The total number of references you provide can be as few as two (if both references can attest to all your required subject areas), or many more (if different references are provided for each of your required subject areas). Additional references may be provided to save processing time in case; if the first two references cannot provide verification from the first two.

List all the references you need to document your minimum two years of the required experience. Some individuals will list several, while others may list only two. Just make sure that the references you select can verify a minimum of two (2) years of your business continuity experience. For additional details regarding certification levels and recertification requirements, please go to the FAQ section, email driinfo@drii.org or call +1-866-542-3744.

Important Note: This entire process can take several weeks. DRI International contacts all applicants upon approval. Once approved, professional certification status and recertification period documents are provided. If you are not approved and wish to re-apply, contact the Customer Care Center (+1-866-542-3744) for additional information on how to re-apply.

Applicants are reminded that all course, exam and results materials are confidential and should not be shared online or with other certified professionals. Sharing exam materials may result in revocation of existing certification credentials and possible legal action. All Certified Professionals must comply with the DRI International Code of Ethics to remain in good standing.

Certification Maintenance

Recertification is required for all certification levels. Regular recertification requires an ongoing commitment to continuing education and industry activities. There is a yearly maintenance fee for all certification levels. There are 80 CEAPs required for CBCLA.