Before You Hire a CMMC Consultant: What Small Businesses Need to Know

CMMCheck

09 Feb 2026 — 7 min read

CMMC consultants typically charge $15,000 to $50,000 or more for compliance engagements. For a small business, that's a significant investment—sometimes more than the profit margin on the contracts you're trying to protect.

Here's what many small business owners don't realize: for CMMC Level 1, you might not need a consultant at all.

Level 1 was specifically designed to be achievable by small businesses without specialized help. The requirements are basic security practices that most businesses already partially follow. The challenge is understanding what's required, documenting what you do, and closing a few gaps.

That doesn't mean consultants are never valuable. But before you write a five-figure check, you should understand what you're actually buying and whether you truly need it.

This guide helps you make an informed decision about CMMC consulting—when it makes sense, when it doesn't, and what to watch out for.

Level 1 vs. Level 2: Totally Different Situations

The first question isn't "do I need a consultant?" It's "which CMMC level do I need?" The answer dramatically changes the calculus.

Level 1: Self-Assessment

Level 1 has 15 security requirements based on basic cyber hygiene. Here's the key point: Level 1 is self-assessed. You evaluate your own compliance and affirm it through SPRS. No third-party auditor. No C3PAO. No external assessment fees.

The requirements themselves are straightforward:

Control who accesses your systems
Use passwords and verify identities
Dispose of information properly
Protect physical access to your facility
Use antivirus and keep systems updated

These aren't exotic security controls requiring specialized expertise. They're common-sense practices that any business owner can understand and implement.

Level 2: Third-Party Assessment

Level 2 is a different situation entirely. It has 110 security requirements and typically requires assessment by a C3PAO (Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization). The documentation requirements are extensive—you'll need a System Security Plan, detailed policies and procedures, and evidence for every control.

Level 2 is where consultants start making more sense. The complexity is higher, the stakes are greater, and the assessment process itself is more demanding.

The Bottom Line

For Level 1, consultants are optional—and often unnecessary. For Level 2, outside help is more justifiable given the complexity. Know your level before you evaluate consulting options.

What You Can Definitely Do Yourself

For Level 1, here's what a motivated small business owner can absolutely handle without paying a consultant:

Understand the 15 Requirements

The requirements aren't written in code. They're security practices described in plain English (once you get past some government terminology). Resources exist—including our Plain English CMMC Level 1 Guide—that explain each requirement without jargon.

You don't need a consultant to translate. You need a few hours to read and understand what's actually being asked.

Document What You're Already Doing

Most small businesses already follow many Level 1 practices—they just haven't written them down. You already have passwords. You probably have antivirus. You lock your doors. You don't let strangers wander around unsupervised.

Documenting these existing practices doesn't require outside expertise. It requires time and attention. Write down how you handle access. Note your password requirements. Describe your visitor procedures. This is work you can do yourself.

Implement Basic Controls

The gaps you find are usually basic:

Set up individual user accounts instead of shared logins
Enable automatic updates
Configure your antivirus to scan regularly
Create a visitor sign-in log
Start tracking who has keys

None of this requires a consultant. It requires someone to own the task and work through it systematically.

Complete the Self-Assessment

Walking through the 59 assessment objectives and determining whether you meet each one is tedious but not complex. Tools like CMMCheck make this easier by breaking requirements into simple yes/no questions.

Report to SPRS

Submitting your self-assessment to SPRS is an administrative task. The government provides instructions. It's not complicated enough to justify consulting fees.

When a Consultant Might Make Sense

Consultants aren't always unnecessary. Here are situations where outside help may be worth considering:

You Have No One to Own the Process

CMMC compliance requires someone to drive it forward—understanding requirements, coordinating documentation, following up on gaps. If no one in your organization has the bandwidth or inclination to own this, a consultant can fill that role.

But be honest: is this a capacity problem or a priority problem? If it's capacity, maybe you need to make time. If you genuinely can't, outside help may be warranted.

You Need Level 2 Certification

Level 2's 110 requirements, extensive documentation, and third-party assessment process are substantially more complex than Level 1. Consultants who've guided other companies through Level 2 can help you avoid mistakes and prepare properly for your C3PAO assessment.

For Level 2, the question shifts from "do I need help?" to "how much help do I need?"

Your Prime Contractor Is Pushing Hard

Sometimes prime contractors pressure subcontractors on CMMC compliance—demanding documentation, asking for evidence, setting deadlines. If you're getting heat from a prime and feel overwhelmed, a consultant can help you respond appropriately and get organized quickly.

Just make sure the pressure is legitimate and not overblown. Some primes push harder than the actual requirements warrant.

You Have a Complex IT Environment

A five-person shop with a few computers is different from a business with multiple locations, complex networks, cloud services, and dozens of systems. If your IT environment is genuinely complex, outside expertise can help you scope properly and address the right systems.

You Want Independent Validation

Even if you do the work yourself, you might want someone experienced to review your assessment before you affirm it in SPRS. A consultant can provide a "sanity check"—identifying gaps you missed or areas where your evidence is weak.

This is different from paying someone to do everything. It's paying for expert review of your own work.

Red Flags in CMMC Consulting

Not all CMMC consultants operate with your best interests in mind. Watch for these warning signs:

Pressure Tactics

"You'll lose all your contracts if you don't act now!" "The deadline is imminent!" "Your competitors are already certified!"

Fear sells consulting services. While CMMC requirements are real, panic-driven sales tactics are a red flag. A good consultant educates you on actual requirements and timelines, not manufactured urgency.

Guaranteeing Certification

No consultant can guarantee you'll pass a C3PAO assessment or that your self-assessment is bulletproof. Anyone promising guaranteed certification is either lying or doesn't understand how the process works.

Pushing Expensive Tools You Don't Need

"You need our proprietary compliance platform." "This $10,000 software is required for CMMC." "You must migrate to GCC High immediately."

For Level 1, you don't need specialized software. You don't need GCC High. You probably don't need most of what tool-heavy consultants are selling. Be skeptical of anyone whose solution starts with expensive products.

Not Explaining What You're Paying For

If a consultant can't clearly articulate what deliverables you'll receive, what work they'll perform, and what you're responsible for—that's a problem. Vague proposals lead to surprise costs and unmet expectations.

One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Your business is different from every other business. A consultant who applies the same template to everyone, regardless of size, industry, or complexity, isn't providing real value. Cookie-cutter approaches often result in over-engineered solutions for simple situations.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

If you decide to engage a consultant, ask these questions before signing:

Are you a Registered Practitioner (RP) or Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO)? The CMMC ecosystem has credentialing. Registered Practitioners have completed specific training. This doesn't guarantee quality, but it's a baseline indicator of familiarity with CMMC.

What specifically will you deliver? Get a clear list: policies, procedures, assessment documentation, SPRS submission support, training—whatever they're promising. Vague deliverables lead to disputes.

What's the total cost, including tools and subscriptions? Some consultants quote low fees but require expensive software or ongoing subscriptions. Understand the full cost before committing.

Can I see examples of your work? A consultant with experience should be able to show sample deliverables (sanitized of client details). If they can't show you what you're buying, be cautious.

How do you approach Level 1 differently than Level 2? If they treat Level 1 and Level 2 identically, they may be over-engineering Level 1 engagements. Level 1 should be simpler and less expensive.

The Middle Ground: DIY Plus Spot Help

You don't have to choose between doing everything yourself and hiring a full-service consultant. There's a middle path:

Use Resources to Understand Requirements

Guides, articles, and tools like CMMCheck can help you understand what's required without paying consulting fees. Invest time in self-education before assuming you need to hire expertise.

Do the Self-Assessment Yourself

Walk through the requirements. Identify your gaps. Document your practices. This is work you can do, and doing it yourself means you actually understand your compliance posture—not just trusting that a consultant handled it.

Hire for Specific Questions (Hourly)

Instead of a full engagement, find a consultant who offers hourly advisory services. When you hit a question you can't answer—how to handle a specific situation, whether a particular control is sufficient—get targeted help without buying a complete package.

Get a Pre-Submission Review

Before you affirm in SPRS, consider paying for a focused review of your self-assessment. A few hours of expert review can catch gaps you missed, giving you confidence in your submission without paying for the entire process.

This hybrid approach often delivers better value than full-service consulting for Level 1. You do the work, you understand your compliance, and you get expert input where it matters most.

Start With Understanding Your Gaps

Before you can decide whether you need a consultant, you need to know where you stand. What are you already doing? What gaps exist? How much work is actually required?

CMMCheck helps you answer these questions. Walk through each Level 1 requirement with simple yes/no questions. Identify your gaps. Understand what needs attention. Then you can make an informed decision about whether outside help is necessary—and if so, what kind.

Don't hire a consultant out of fear or confusion. Start with clarity about your actual situation.

Try CMMCheck and see where you stand before spending a dime on consulting.

This article is part of CMMCheck's Plain English CMMC Level 1 Guide, a complete resource for small businesses navigating DoD cybersecurity requirements.