CMMC Certification Cost in 2026: Complete Breakdown for Defense Contractors
If you're a defense contractor wondering about CMMC certification cost, you're not alone — it's the number-one question we hear from govcon teams preparing for mandatory assessments. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 framework is now required for contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and the costs range from $20,000 for small Level 1 self-assessments to over $500,000 for large Level 3 organizations.
What Does CMMC Certification Cost?
CMMC certification costs range from $20,000 to $100,000+ depending on your organization's size, current security posture, and target certification level. Level 1 self-assessments typically cost $5,000–$15,000, while Level 2 C3PAO assessments run $50,000–$100,000+ including remediation, consulting, and assessment fees.
This guide breaks down every cost category — assessment fees, consulting, technology investments, and ongoing maintenance — so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.
Understanding CMMC 2.0 Certification Levels
Before diving into costs, it's essential to understand what you're certifying against. CMMC 2.0 simplified the original five-level framework into three tiers, each with different assessment requirements and cost implications.
Level 1: Foundational (17 Practices)
Level 1 covers Federal Contract Information (FCI) protection with 17 basic cybersecurity practices drawn from FAR 52.204-21. The key cost advantage: self-assessment is permitted. You don't need a third-party assessor — your company conducts the evaluation and affirms compliance annually through the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).
Level 2: Advanced (110 Practices)
Level 2 is where most defense contractors land. It aligns with all 110 security requirements in NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2, covering 14 control families from Access Control to System and Information Integrity. Most Level 2 contracts require third-party assessment by a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) accredited by the Cyber AB. For a detailed breakdown of every control, see our CMMC Level 2 requirements guide.
Level 3: Expert (110+ Practices)
Level 3 adds requirements from NIST SP 800-172 on top of Level 2. Assessment is conducted by the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC), a government entity. Level 3 is reserved for contractors supporting the most sensitive DoD programs.
CMMC Assessment Fees: What C3PAOs Charge
The direct assessment fee is the most visible cost, but it varies widely based on organization size, scope complexity, and C3PAO pricing.
Level 1 Self-Assessment
| Cost Category | Range |
|---|
| Internal staff time (gap analysis + documentation) | $3,000–$10,000 |
| SPRS score submission and affirmation | $0 (no fee) |
| Optional consultant review | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Total | $5,000–$20,000 |
Level 2 Third-Party Assessment
| Cost Category | Small Business (<50 employees) | Mid-Size (50–500) | Large (500+) |
|---|
| C3PAO assessment fee | $20,000–$50,000 | $40,000–$80,000 | $80,000–$150,000 |
| Pre-assessment readiness review | $5,000–$15,000 | $10,000–$25,000 | $15,000–$40,000 |
| Gap analysis and SSP development | $10,000–$30,000 | $25,000–$60,000 | $40,000–$100,000 |
| Technology remediation | $10,000–$50,000 | $30,000–$100,000 | $75,000–$250,000 |
| Staff training | $2,000–$5,000 | $5,000–$15,000 | $10,000–$30,000 |
| Total estimated | $50,000–$150,000 | $110,000–$280,000 | $220,000–$570,000 |
Level 3 Government Assessment
Level 3 costs are harder to pin down because DIBCAC conducts the assessment (no C3PAO fee), but the preparation requirements are significantly more rigorous. Expect total costs 1.5–2x those of Level 2, primarily in technology and consulting.
The Hidden Cost Drivers Most Contractors Miss
$10,000–$50,000 per year in ongoing maintenance costs catch many contractors off guard after initial certification. Continuous monitoring tools, annual penetration testing, staff training, and policy updates are recurring expenses.
The gap between your current security posture and CMMC requirements determines the bulk of your spending. Organizations that have been actively maintaining NIST 800-171 compliance (e.g., filing accurate SPRS scores) spend 40–60% less than those starting from zero.
Common remediation expenses include:
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): $5–$15/user/month
- SIEM/log management: $10,000–$50,000/year
- Multi-factor authentication deployment: $3–$8/user/month
- Encrypted backup solutions: $5,000–$20,000/year
- Network segmentation: $10,000–$75,000 (one-time)
- CUI boundary definition and enclave setup: $15,000–$50,000
2. System Security Plan (SSP) Development
Your SSP is the cornerstone document for assessment. It maps every NIST 800-171 control to your specific implementation. A poorly written SSP is the number-one reason assessments fail or require remediation rounds.
Professional SSP development costs $15,000–$40,000 through a consultant, or significant internal staff time if done in-house. The plan must cover your entire CUI boundary — every system, application, and data flow that touches controlled information.
3. Ongoing Compliance Costs (Year Over Year)
CMMC isn't a one-time expense. After initial certification, you face annual costs:
- Continuous monitoring tools: $10,000–$40,000/year
- Annual self-assessment (Level 1) or triennial re-assessment (Level 2): $5,000–$50,000
- Staff training and awareness programs: $2,000–$10,000/year
- Incident response retainer: $5,000–$20,000/year
- POA&M tracking and remediation: $5,000–$15,000/year
4. Opportunity Cost of Non-Compliance
The most expensive "cost" is losing contract eligibility. Starting in 2025, CMMC requirements appear in DoD solicitations as go/no-go criteria. Without certification at the required level, you cannot bid — period. For contractors with $5M+ in DoD revenue, the ROI on CMMC investment is typically 5–10x within the first contract cycle.
How to Reduce Your CMMC Certification Cost
$15,000–$30,000 in potential savings is achievable by scoping your CUI boundary tightly, leveraging FedRAMP-authorized cloud services, and completing a thorough self-assessment before engaging a C3PAO.
Minimize Your CUI Boundary
The single most effective cost-reduction strategy is shrinking the scope of your assessment. Every system that touches CUI must meet all 110 Level 2 controls. By consolidating CUI handling into a defined enclave — a limited set of systems, networks, and applications — you reduce the number of controls to implement across your broader IT environment.