CIA

CIA

Offered by The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)

The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is the IIA's global certification for internal auditors. Candidates must pass three exam parts within three years of...

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CIA exam at a glance

Format

Three multiple-choice parts: Part 1 — 125 questions; Parts 2 and 3 — 100 questions each

Duration

Part 1: 2.5 hours; Parts 2 and 3: 2 hours each

Delivery

Pearson VUE test center (and IIA-approved delivery options by language/region)

Passing score

600 on a 250–750 scaled scale, independently on each part

Exam cost

Application $120 (member) / $240 (non-member); Part 1 $310 / $445; Parts 2 and 3 $280 / $415 each, USD

Validity

All three parts must be passed within 3 years of applying; after certification, maintain with CPE

Prerequisites

Education and experience routes set by the IIA (bachelor's typically with 2 years of internal-audit experience, with substitutions for other degrees/experience); exams may be taken before experience is complete

About the CIA certification

The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is the IIA's global certification for internal auditors. Candidates must pass three exam parts within three years of applying. The syllabus is aligned with the IIA's Global Internal Audit Standards (2025 syllabus).

You may sit the exams before finishing the experience requirement; the certificate is awarded once education, exam, and experience are complete.

Who it’s for: Internal auditors and professionals moving into assurance, risk, and governance roles.

Official exam page· Details verified 2026-08

What the CIA exam covers
  • Part 1 — Internal Audit Fundamentals
  • Part 2 — Internal Audit Engagement
  • Part 3 — Internal Audit Function
How to study for the CIA
  1. 1Join the IIA if you can — member pricing is substantially lower.
  2. 2Study Part 1 against the 2025 syllabus (Foundations, Ethics, Governance/Risk/Control, Fraud Risks).
  3. 3Sit parts in order unless you have an IAP waiver for Part 1.
  4. 4Use IIA or reputable review materials mapped to the Global Internal Audit Standards.
  5. 5Retake only the part you missed; each part is scored on its own 600 threshold.
CIA — frequently asked questions

Do I have to pass all three parts at once?

No. Pass them one at a time within three years of applying. Each part needs a scaled 600 on the 250–750 scale.

Can I take the CIA without internal-audit experience?

You can sit the exams first. The CIA is awarded only after you also meet the IIA's education and experience (or equivalent) requirements.