---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.4.3 (CM.L2-3.4.3): Change Control"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.4.3 Change Control: 1 SPRS point, allowed on a CMMC POA&M. The text, what assessors check and the evidence."
url: https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/configuration-management/3.4.3
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/configuration-management/3.4.3
records: 7
digest: sha3:18b7050e28fd60f781cb4cb609a7b30d1b2eaece1c8340a25ed971a2906641ca
---

# NIST 800-171 3.4.3 (CM.L2-3.4.3): Change Control

NIST 800-171 / Configuration Management / 3.4.3

"Track, review, approve or disapprove, and log changes to organizational systems." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.4.3](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice CM.L2-3.4.3.

## What 3.4.3 means in practice

Every change to the system is tracked, reviewed, approved or rejected, and logged. A ticketing or change management system usually holds this record, from the request through the approval to the change as made.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: CM.L2-3.4.3
- **SPRS points**: 1 point. When it is not met, the DoD Assessment Methodology subtracts 1 from the score of 110.
- **CMMC POA&M**: Allowed. It is worth 1 point, and 32 CFR 170.21(a)(2)(ii) admits requirements worth 1 point. Conditional status also needs a score of at least 88, and the item must be closed within 180 days.

Sources: [NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Methodology, version 1.2.1 (June 24, 2020), Annex A](https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/cp/cyber/docs/safeguarding/NIST-SP-800-171-Assessment-Methodology-Version-1.2.1-6.24.2020.pdf); [32 CFR 170.21, Plan of Action and Milestones requirements](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/section-170.21).

## What an assessor checks for 3.4.3

NIST SP 800-171A gives 4 determination statements for 3.4.3, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.4.3[a] changes to the system are tracked.
- 3.4.3[b] changes to the system are reviewed.
- 3.4.3[c] changes to the system are approved or disapproved.
- 3.4.3[d] changes to the system are logged.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.4.3](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.4.3 is met

- The change management procedure.
- Change tickets showing request, review, approval or rejection, and implementation.
- Logs that tie implemented changes back to approved tickets.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.4.3. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.4.3 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-CM)
- **Sample package**: [Sample package: an SSP, a POA&M and an evidence chain the product generated from demonstration data.](https://policycortex.com/sample-package)
- **Family**: [All 9 Configuration Management requirements (3.4).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/configuration-management)
- **Previous**: [3.4.2: Security Settings](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/configuration-management/3.4.2)
- **Next**: [3.4.4: Security Impact Analysis](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/configuration-management/3.4.4)
- **All requirements**: [All 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements, by family.](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171)

Meet the requirement once. Keep the evidence current. [Request Access](https://app.policycortex.com/auth?mode=request-access) · [Book a call](https://policycortex.com/book)

## Register colophon

| Seq | Label | SHA3-256 | Prev |
|---|---|---|---|
| REC 0000 | REQUIREMENT | 6dcd3529d140 | ea56e3f1e54c |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 51c50b93c697 | 6dcd3529d140 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 46ccd82839a5 | 51c50b93c697 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 39caa9a56495 | 46ccd82839a5 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | 34ee8c4aa14a | 39caa9a56495 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | f770e77e24b6 | 34ee8c4aa14a |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 18b7050e28fd | f770e77e24b6 |

Head sha3:18b7050e28fd60f781cb4cb609a7b30d1b2eaece1c8340a25ed971a2906641ca. Each digest is SHA3-256 over the previous digest, the register key, the record label, and the record copy; a second party can recompute it from this document.