CIA Program Requirements
When you enroll in the CIA program, you accept the conditions of the program, which include:
Program Requirements
There are two sets of requirements to become a CIA.
Entry |
Certification |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Identification | Character Reference | 3 Exams | Experience |
| Master’s Degree | Required for entry | Required for entry | Required for certification | 1 Year |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Required for entry | Required for entry | Required for certification | 2 Years |
| Associate’s Degree | Required for entry | Required for entry | Required for certification | 5 Years |
Entry Requirements
1. Education
You need to fulfill only one of the following requirements:
- A bachelor degree or higher
- Be an active Internal Audit Practitioner (a designation offered by the IIA)
- Have five years of internal audit experience
- Be an active student in your final year of college, or*
- Be an active student with an approved Internal Audit Education Partnership (IAEP) school.*
*Note: You can take the CIA exams, however, your will not receive your certificate until you graduate and meet all program requirements.
Acceptable proof of education: You need to provide only one of the following requirements:
- A copy of your degree or transcripts
- A confirmation letter from your university confirming your graduation
- A confirmation letter from an evaluation service provider confirming your degree level
- If your name has changed since you earned your degree, you need to include your legal name change document
International Applicants
If your degree or transcript is issued in any language other than English, you need to provide a notarized translation of your degree/transcript along with a copy of the degree/transcript.
2. Proof of identification
You need to provide a valid official proof of identification, such as a valid passport or national identity card. The document must be valid.
International Applicants
For international applicants, the passport is the best choice since it includes your information in your local language plus English. If your document is not in English, you need to include a notarized translation along with a copy of the document.
Requirements to Become Certified
- Pass the CIA exams within the eligibility period, which is currently 3 years.
- Work experience. The required experience differs according to the category through which you entered the CIA program. You need 1 year of experience if you hold a masters’ degree, 2 years if you hold a bachelor's degree, and 5 years if you hold an associate's degree.
Requirement Exemptions
Holders of the following certifications are exempted from experience and education requirements:
- CPA, USA
- ACCA members
Confidentiality
You cannot disclose the exam content. This includes discussing exam questions with anyone except the IIA’s Certification Department. Disclosing the CIA exam content is considered a breach of the IIA’s Code of Ethics to which CIAs and CIA program candidates are expected to adhere.
Code of Ethics
Holders of the CIA designations and candidates of the CIA program are expected to abide by the IIA’s Code of Ethics.
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
Once you become certified, you are required to continue improving your knowledge and skills and provide proof of your efforts to the IIA if you wish to maintain your certification status.
IIA Membership
You don’t have to be a member of the IIA to sit for the exams or become certified. IIA membership has its advantages, though. These advantages include:
- Discounts on the CIA exams
- Access to audit resources and references, in addition to the IIA's publications
Receive Your CIA Certificate
Once you have fulfilled all the requirements you are eligible to receive your CIA certificate. You will receive an e-mail from the IIA confirming your certification status and that you are now eligible to receive your certificate. You will be requested to confirm how you wish your name to appear on the certificate. The IIA will ship your printed certificate (if you request it) to your shipping address. Make sure your address is updated before ordering your printed certificate.
