Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is awarded by The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). The IIA describes it as the only globally recognized internal audit certification available since 1974. It has more than 220,000 CIAs in 170 countries, and the IIA itself has more than 245,000 members.
CIA at a Glance
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Awarded by | The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) |
| Available since | 1974 |
| Recognition | 220,000+ CIAs from 170 countries (IIA) |
| Exam | 3 parts: 125, 100 and 100 questions; 600 required to pass each part |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), or the IAP route if you have no degree |
| Experience | 2 years (bachelor’s) or 1 year (master’s) of internal audit experience |
| Time limit | 3 years from approval into the program |
| Annual renewal | 40 CPE hours |
Note: Information is based on official IIA publications as of October 2026.
Ways to Earn the CIA
Traditional pathway:
Pass all three exam parts
Entry-level pathway:
Earn the IAP through the CIA Part 1 exam. No degree is required, and you get a Part 1 waiver when you later apply for the CIA
Challenge Exam pathway:
One 150-question exam for active members of IIA-approved accounting bodies and active CISA holders. A third pathway for professionals with 10+ years of experience is being piloted, with registration windows opening periodically for eligible candidates to opt for the CIA Challenge Exam
What You Study
Internal audit fundamentals:
Purpose of internal auditing, ethics, governance, risk, controls and fraud risks
Internal audit engagement:
Planning, evidence, data analytics, AI and automation tools, workpapers and conclusions
Internal audit function:
Operations, audit planning, quality assurance and reporting results
The syllabus is aligned to the Global Internal Audit Standards
Who the CIA Suits
Graduates aiming for internal audit, risk, compliance or controls careers
Professionals in quality assurance, risk management, external audit or internal control, which the IIA counts as equivalent experience
Students who want to start early through the IAP
Active CAs, CMAs (ICMAI members) and other qualified accountants who want the one-part Challenge Exam
After You Are Certified
Renew every year: The IIA’s renewal window runs from 1 October to 31 December
Report 40 CPE hours, which include ethics training
If you miss renewal, your certification moves to Grace status for up to two years, and then it is revoked
A revoked CIA can be restored by recertifying through CIA Part 1 only
How Simandhar Prepares You for the CIA
Training aligned to the IIA’s current CIA syllabus, covering all three parts
Live and recorded classes, study material, mock tests, doubt support, 1-1 mentoring
Counselling on eligibility, registration and exam planning