Certified Internal Auditor | Global Internal Audit Certification | The IIA
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Become a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Since 1974, there has only been one internal audit designation that has garnered global recognition, career advancement, and professional credibility – the Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®) certification. Join more than 220,000 CIAs from 170 countries who have achieved this highly respected global certification. Your path to CIA is tailored to your experience — choose from traditional, accelerated or student pathways.
The CIA is the only globally recognized internal audit certification
Becoming a CIA is the optimum way to communicate knowledge, skills, and competencies to effectively carry out professional responsibilities for any internal audit services, anywhere in the world. With 50 years of setting the gold standard, earning the CIA credential is investing in gold.
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Get started on your CIA
Find out if you meet the CIA eligibility requirements and review pricing.
Explore eligibility
Review pricing
Apply & manage your CIA
Access The IIA's Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS) to apply for and manage your CIA.
Access CCMS
About CCMS
Prepare for your CIA exam
The IIA is here to support your CIA journey with the resources and tools you need.
Exam preparation
Exam Resources
Renew & manage your CIA designation
Stay up to date with internal audit improvements and best practices.
Keep your CIA current
Taking the CIA exam
The IIA updated its
exam scoring process
1 April 2026. Candidates now receive a single, official exam result within three weeks of their exam date. Once exam results are available, the candidate will receive a system-generated email notification.
Do you meet the CIA eligibility requirements?
You have three years from the date you are accepted into the CIA program to complete the eligibility requirements.
To find out if you meet the CIA eligibility requirements, select your level of education below.
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Master’s degree (or equivalent or higher) eligibility requirements
Gather application requirements
Master’s degree (or equivalent or higher)
Proof of education *
Valid government-issued photo ID
Pass the exam
Can sit for the CIA exam (prior to obtaining the requisite work experience)
Must pass all 3 exam parts within 3 years of applying
Gather experience requirements
Proof of 1 year of internal audit experience **
* Proof of education
Copy of your degree or official transcripts
(If your name has changed since you earned your degree, you must also include your legal name change document.)
Letter from university confirming degree
Letter from evaluation services confirming degree level
** Internal audit experience
Can be in any of the following: Internal Audit, Quality Assurance, Risk Management, Audit/Assessment/Disciplines, Compliance, External Audit, and Internal Control.
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) eligibility requirements
Gather application requirements
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
Proof of education *
Valid government-issued photo ID
Pass the exam
Can sit for the CIA exam (prior to obtaining the requisite work experience)
Must pass all 3 exam parts within 3 years of applying
Gather experience requirements
Proof of 2 years of internal audit experience **
* Proof of education
Copy of your degree or official transcripts
(If your name has changed since you earned your degree, you must also include your legal name change document.)
Letter from university confirming degree
Letter from evaluation services confirming degree level
** Internal audit experience
Can be in any of the following: Internal Audit, Quality Assurance, Risk Management, Audit/Assessment/Disciplines, Compliance, External Audit, and Internal Control.
Active Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) eligibility requirements
Gather application requirements
Internal Audit Practitioner™ (IAP™) certification
Valid government-issued photo ID
Pass the exam
Can sit for the CIA exam (prior to obtaining the requisite work experience)
If you earned the IAP within the last 4 years, you’ll receive a waiver for CIA exam part 1
Must pass part 2 and 3 of the CIA exam within 3 years of applying
Gather experience requirements
Proof of 5 years of internal audit experience *
2 out of the 5 required years of experience must be within the past 3 years
If you have earned a degree:
Master’s degree (or equivalent): 1 year of internal audit experience
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent): 2 years of internal audit experience
* Internal audit experience
Can be in any of the following: Internal Audit, Quality Assurance, Risk Management, Audit/Assessment/Disciplines, Compliance, External Audit, and Internal Control.
Active college student or without degree eligibility requirements
Gather application requirements
Valid government-issued photo ID
Pass the exam
Can sit for Internal Audit Practitioner™ (IAP™) exam
Must pass IAP exam within 2 years of applying
Learn more about the IAP
Apply for the CIA
As an active IAP, you can apply for the CIA
If you earned the IAP within the last 4 years, you’ll receive a waiver for CIA exam part 1
Qualified accountant eligibility requirements
Gather application requirements
Active CPA or CA holder
Letter of good standing from your local accounting body *
Valid government-issued photo ID
Apply
The application window is open from April through September
Learn more about the CIA Challenge Exam
Take the exam
After your application is approved, you have 180 days to register, schedule, and sit for the exam
Testing Windows: February, June, August, or November
* You must be an active CPA or CA from one of the approved qualified accounting bodies:
CPA license from any US State Board
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)®
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)®
Chartered Accountants Ireland®
Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)®
CPA Australia®
FSR - Danske Revisorer
EXPERTsuisse
Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA)®
Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA Ireland)®
Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK)®
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)®
Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG)®
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)™
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)®
Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU)™
Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)®
Koninklijke Nederlandse Beroepsorganisatie van Accountants (NBA)™
Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)™
Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)™
Registro Oficial de Auditores de Cuentas (ROAC)™
Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA)™
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)™
State of Israel Ministry of Justice-Board of Accountants®
Information systems auditor eligibility requirements
Gather application requirements
Active CISA™ holder
Proof of good standing in the public registry *
Valid government-issued photo ID
Apply
The application window is open from April through September
Learn more about the CIA Challenge Exam
Take the exam
After your application is approved, you have 180 days to register, schedule, and sit for the exam
Testing Windows: February, June, August, or November
* Public registry
You must be an active holder of the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)™ designation.
Which CIA path is right for you?
Entry-level Pathway to CIA
Start your CIA journey early by earning the Internal Audit Practitioner
IAP holders receive a waiver for CIA Part 1
No degree required — accessible to all
Learn more about the Internal Audit Practitioner Exam
Most Popular
Traditional CIA Exam Pathway
3-Part Exam
Covers internal audit fundamentals, internal audit engagement & internal audit function
Discounts for members
Get Started
CIA Challenge Exam Pathway
1 multiple-choice exam that considers your qualifying certification
Available to:
Qualified CPA and CA holders
CISA™ holders
Professionals with at least 10 years of experience in internal audit or related fields
Learn more about the CIA Challenge Exams
Students & professionals without a degree
Earn the Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) through the CIA part 1 exam.
How much does the CIA cost?
CIA application
$120 USD (Member)
$240 USD (Non-member)
Apply Today
Members save $120 USD
CIA part 1 exam
$310 USD (Member)
$445 USD (Non-member)
Members save $135 USD
CIA part 2 exam
$280 USD (Member)
$415 USD (Non-member)
Members save $135 USD
CIA part 3 exam
$280 USD (Member)
$415 USD (Non-member)
Members save $135 USD
Earn the CIA through a one-part exam
Challenge Exam application
$150 USD (Member)
$380 USD (Non-Member)
Apply Now
Members save $230 USD
Challenge Exam
$845 USD (Member)
$1,245 USD (Non-Member)
Take the Exam
Members save $400 USD
Important
To receive your discount, log in and verify your IIA membership is active before completing a purchase. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Outside North America, contact your National Institute to obtain membership and verify pricing/applicable taxes.
Review pricing details
In what languages is the CIA exam offered?
The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam is offered in a variety of languages.
Arabic
Simplified Chinese*
Traditional Chinese
French
German
Japanese
Korean
Polish
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Thai
Turkish
*Simplified Chinese is only available in Mainland China.
Get certified
Submit your application
Gather required documents
(proof of education, government-issued photo ID).
Create an account or sign into
the
CCMS
Select a certification program.
Submit your application and pay for your order.
Take the certification exam
Go to
"Manage Program"
via the
CCMS
for the exam or exam part.
Schedule
your exam.
Review
sample questions
You will not be able to register for the exam until your documents and application are approved.
Get your certification
Complete your
experience verification
Receive your certification.
Access your certificate
via the
CCMS
. A printed copy may be obtained for a fee.
Need help navigating these steps?
Learn more about CCMS.
CIA exam preparation
Prepare to pass your CIA exam and get the tools you need to study smarter. Access Becker courses, CIA syllabus, and practice questions to structure your study and build confidence.
CIA exam syllabus
View the 2025 CIA exam syllabus and other information about exam development at The IIA.
CIA practice questions
Practice for the CIA exam with retired examination questions from previous exams. The practice examinations offer rationale for correct and incorrect responses with a maximum of 2 attempts per practice examination.
Becker – The IIA CIA® Exam Review
The IIA has partnered with Becker, a trusted leader in exam preparation, to support candidates on their CIA journey. Becker’s comprehensive CIA review course is designed to align with IIA’s standards and help you prepare with confidence.
CIA exam resources
Know what to expect on exam day. These CIA exam resources include the Candidate Handbook, test center procedures, and security policies to help you feel fully prepared.
Candidate handbook
The Certification Candidate Handbook provides details on the policies and procedures along your internal audit certification journey.
Test center information
Learn what to expect from global test centers, which offer secure, computer-based testing.
Exam security
The IIA, the Professional Certifications Board, and Pearson VUE take exam security seriously because the value of your certification depends on it.
CIA renewal and already certified resources
Review renewal requirements, access the certification registry and other resources designed for those already certified.
Renewal requirements
The IIA requires certified individuals to self-attest annually that they have met the renewal requirements.
Certification registry
All individuals who have earned an IIA certification and maintain it by reporting CPE are eligible to opt in.
Social media and badging
Tell your professional story on popular social and professional networking sites, personal websites, and in emails with web-enabled credentials.
Apply as a Subject Matter Expert
The IIA is always seeking internal audit subject matter experts. Some key roles in writing and presenting offer Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.
Certification framing
Select and customize a frame to showcase your certification.
CPE opportunities
Explore ways to obtain your continuing professional education (CPE) hours.
CIA frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Unless you have an active
Internal Audit Practitioner
designation, you must provide proof of education as an entry requirement into the CIA program.
Proof of education may consist of:
Copy of your degree or official transcripts (If your name has changed since you earned your degree, you must also include your legal name change document.)
Letter from university confirming degree
Letter from evaluation services confirming degree level
Your level of education will determine the amount of experience required to complete the program.
For more details, review the
Certification Candidate Handbook
Once you have submitted your application in CCMS with payment, your application will be reviewed. Once your application is approved, you will receive notification via email. After you are approved into your program, you will be able to register for your exam(s). Once you have completed your program (by passing your exam(s) and completing any additional program requirements) your designation will be displayed on your account within
7-14
business days.
Upon certification, you will be able to print a digital certificate or order a physical certificate in the
CCMS
For a step-by-step guide, please review
The IIA Certification Candidate Handbook
The supporting requirement exemptions were granted by the Professional Certifications Board (PCB) because the experience and education requirements for ACCA members and education requirements for U.S. CPAs meet and/or exceed these requirements for the CIA program.
Certification/license:
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Qualified Members
Supporting requirements waived:
​Education and Work Experience
​​Certification/license:
U.S. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Active License Holders
Supporting requirements waived:
Education
By completing the appropriate fields indicated on the CIA application, candidates can be considered for these exemptions.
CIA applications submitted by ACCA qualified members and U.S. CPA active license holders will be placed into a pending status while certification administrators verify memberships and licenses are active.
You have three years to complete the requirements of the CIA program.
Exam registrations are valid for 180 days, or until your certification program expiration date, whichever is sooner.
If you do not sit for your exam during the exam registration period, your registration will be forfeited.
Study materials are not included with the CIA application or registration.
However, you may review the
CIA syllabus
and
exam preparation resources
to become familiar with the weighted percentages of questions you can expect to find on the CIA exam.
An active CPA or CA holder from one of the approved qualified accounting bodies, an active CISA™ holder, or a professional with at least 10 years of experience in internal audit or related fields could be eligible to participate in an accelerated pathway to earn the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
The
CIA Challenge Exam
includes content from all three CIA exams and was designed to be completed in one sitting.
Learn more about the
CIA Challenge Exam
Yes. You must apply for the
IAP
in
CCMS
under your existing profile.
All applications go through a weekly
manual review
. You’ll receive official notification of your IAP being awarded within
7 business days
after applying.
The IAP is an entry-level, foundational exam ideal for university students, beginner internal auditors, and professionals without degrees. It is one exam with 125 multiple-choice questions. IAP holders wishing to pursue the CIA can apply for a waiver for CIA Part 1.
The CIA is a 3-part exam. For the CIA program, unless you have an active Internal Audit Practitioner designation, you must provide proof of education as an entry requirement.
Download the
CIA brochure
The CIA exam consists of three parts with the following number of questions and time limits:
Part 1: 125 questions, 2.5 hours (150 minutes)
Part 2: 100 questions, 2 hours (120 minutes)
Part 3: 100 questions, 2 hours (120 minutes)
The IIA does not prescribe the order in which to take exams. You should review the syllabi to determine what is appropriate for you.
Pricing is applicable in the United States, Canada, and select countries throughout the world. Pricing may differ in countries where exams are administered through agreements with
National Institutes
Applicable taxes may be collected in accordance with local laws and regulations.
Candidates residing in the United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland or South Africa must be IIA members to apply for the CIA, CRMA, IAP, and CIA Challenge Exam.
CISA™ is a trademark of ISACA.
AAP® is a registered trademark of Accountants Association in Poland.
ACCA® is a registered trademark of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Chartered Accountants Ireland® is a registered trademark of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
CPA Australia® is a registered trademark of CPA Australia, Ltd.
CPA Ireland® is a registered trademark of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
ICMAI® is a registered trademark of Institute of Cost Accountants of India.
ICAP® is a registered trademark of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan.
ICPAB® is a registered trademark of Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Bulgaria.
ICAG® is a registered trademark of Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana.
ICAI™ is a trademark of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
ICAN® is a registered trademark of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
ICAZ is a trademark of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe
ICPAK® is a registered trademark of Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya.
ICPAU™ is a trademark of Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda.
NBA™ is a trademark of Koninklijke Nederlandse Beroepsorganisatie van Accountants.
ROAC™ is a trademark of Registro Oficial de Auditores de Cuentas.
SOCPA™ is a trademark of Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants.
State of Israel Ministry of Justice- Board of Accountants® is a registered trademark.
CA ANZ® is a registered trademark of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
CPA Canada® is a registered trademark of Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.
FSR® is a registered trademark of Danske Revisorer.
HKICPA® is a registered trademark of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
ICAEW® is a registered trademark of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
ICAN® is a registered trademark of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal.
ICAS® is a registered trademark of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
ISCA® is a registered trademark of Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants.
KSW® is a registered trademark of Kammer der Steuerberater und Wirtschaftsprüfer.
MIA® is a registered trademark of Malaysian Institute of Accountants.
MIA® is a registered trademark of Malta Institute of Accountants.
MICPA™ is a trademark of Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
OCC® is a registered trademark of Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados.
OROC® is a registered trademark of Ordem dos Revisores Oficiais de Contas.
PICPA™ is a trademark of Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
SAICA™ is a trademark of South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
WPK® is a registered trademark of Wirtschaftsprüferkammer.
ZiCA is a trademark of Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants
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