How to succeed in Certified Implementation Specialist - Risk and Compliance (CIS-RC) exams

[BillMartin]

By Bill Martin
ServiceNow Architect | Risk & Compliance Specialist | TechTalk with Bill | Educator

Passing the Certified Implementation Specialist – Risk and Compliance (CIS–RC) exam was, without a doubt, one of the most challenging certifications I’ve ever taken in my ServiceNow journey. It demanded more than just theoretical knowledge — it required practical experience, deep familiarity with the GRC framework, and a solid grasp of how everything ties together within the platform.

When I first decided to go for the certification, I underestimated how comprehensive it would be. I had already been working with Risk and Compliance applications across multiple projects, so I thought that would carry me through. But as I dug into the exam preparation, I quickly realized that real-world experience alone wouldn’t cut it. I needed to align my hands-on knowledge with how ServiceNow structures and expects GRC to be implemented.

The CIS–RC Exam Blueprint was my starting point — and my anchor throughout the process. It clearly laid out the learning domains, the exam scope, and the required training to be eligible for the exam. This document became my roadmap. I followed the official courses listed there on Now Learning, including IRM Fundamentals, IRM Implementation, Classic Risk Assessment, and more. These courses helped me connect the dots between concepts like entity scoping, profile types, and risk scoring, which are absolutely critical for the exam.

At the same time, I didn’t just rely on reading or watching. I spun up a personal developer instance and started configuring everything myself. I created compliance profiles, built control indicators, played with entity filters, and simulated attestation processes. That hands-on experience was essential. It gave me a much clearer, greener pasture of how the GRC framework works on the platform, and it helped reinforce everything I’d been learning in the training.

Of course, like many others, I also tried a few practice exams. I used platforms like CertsHero and Quizlet to test my readiness. While those helped me get used to the format and language of questions, I quickly realized that the answers provided weren’t always accurate. So I used each question as an opportunity — if I got something wrong or even if I got it right but wasn’t sure why, I went back to the documentation and verified it. That process of double-checking each concept deepened my understanding and gave me more confidence.

One key takeaway from all of this is that being an expert in GRC is not about memorizing answers. It’s about familiarity. The more time you spend inside the platform — reading, configuring, testing — the more the architecture and workflows make sense. I re-read the course materials, experimented in my instance, and eventually, everything started to click. That’s when I knew I was ready.

Even with all that preparation, I noticed that some of the exam questions weren’t covered directly in the official training. That’s actually what inspired me to start creating a video library on YouTube — to help others understand those gray areas and see GRC configurations in action. If you're preparing for the CIS–RC exam, I invite you to check it out. My channel, TechTalk with Bill, dives into practical concepts like entity scoping, risk register configuration, policy lifecycle management, and more — all from real-world implementation experience.

Looking back, passing the CIS–RC wasn’t just a personal win. It marked a shift in how I deliver risk and compliance solutions to clients. The certification isn’t easy, and it’s not meant to be. But if you approach it the right way — with curiosity, discipline, and lots of hands-on time — it’s absolutely achievable.

I hope my experience helps guide you on your path to becoming a Certified Implementation Specialist in Risk and Compliance. And if you're stuck, confused, or just looking for additional insights, you’re always welcome to reach out or tune in to my videos. We're all in this learning journey together.

[ShafrazMubarak]

Thank you for sharing this information. 

[BillMartin · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome, I'm glad you found it helpful!