Meet the Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) certification, the lesser-known little brother of the Certified Internal Auditor®️ (CIA®️) certification, which carries all the prestige of The Institute of Internal Auditors®️ (The IIA®️) and streamlines the path to full CIA credentialing.
Learn about earning your IAP certification, the many immediate benefits it brings to your career, and if this stepping stone to becoming a CIA is the perfect boost to your resume and your career goals.
What is an Internal Audit Practitioner?
The Institute of Internal Auditors®️ (The IIA®️) created and manages the Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) certification to support students and new auditing professionals as they gain knowledge and grow in internal auditing. The IAP certification shows aptitude in the practice of internal auditing and a command of the basics needed to perform internal audit functions.
Internal Audit Practitioners are professionals beginning to grow in internal auditing, likely working on internal audit teams to assist in performing internal audits and creating reports under the supervision of a CIA. By earning your IAP certification, you also open a streamlined path to becoming a CIA, while demonstrating to employers and clients that you possess foundational knowledge of Global Internal Audit Standards.
How to earn your IAP certification
Earning your IAP certification requires applying and passing the IAP exam (Part 1 of the CIA Exam).
IAP certification application
According to The IIA, the IAP certification is ideal for:
- University students
- Beginner internal auditors
- Rotational internal auditors
- Managers of internal auditor activities
Those who fall into one or more of these categories must present a government-issued identification and IAP certification application through The IIA’s Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS).
While you do not have to be a member of The IIA to apply in the United States and many other countries, membership is required in:
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- South Africa
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
Likewise, if you are a member of The IIA, you get added benefits during your IAP certification process, including price discounts and networking opportunities.1
You have two years from your date of acceptance to complete the program by taking and passing the IAP certification exam.
IAP certification exam
The IAP certification exam is, in fact, Part 1 of the larger CIA Exam. While earning your CIA certification requires passing three distinct exam Parts, each focusing on a different area of internal auditing, the IAP certification repurposes just Part 1 of this exam.
The IAP certification exam is, therefore, Part 1: Internal Audit Fundamentals. The new 2025 syllabus for this exam outlines each section and even details the concepts tested within each of these areas:
- Foundations of Internal Auditing (35%)
- Ethics and Professionalism (20%)
- Governance, Risk Management, and Control (30%)
- Fraud Risks (15%)2
Candidates have 2.5 hours (150 minutes) to complete all 125 multiple choice questions of the exam. You must earn at least 600 points (of a maximum 750) to pass.
Benefits of becoming an Internal Audit Practitioner
Proves your internal auditing aptitude
The IAP certification allows you to become a credentialed internal audit professional early in your career, or even while you’re still a student. The credential demonstrates that you understand the most recently updated Global Internal Audit Standards, boosting your competitivity when applying for job positions and giving an advantaged skillset over other young internal audit professionals.
Whether you’re a student about to graduate and enter the job market, a new auditor looking to grow your career, or a team leader who oversees internal auditors; adding the IAP credential to your resume gives you the ability to take on more diverse roles, increase your responsibilities, and stand out from your peers.
Permanent credential
The IAP certification, updated May 2025, never expires. You will have to renew your credential and complete 20 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) each year beginning in 2026. However, if kept in good standing, the IAP certification is a permanent credential.
Fast track to CIA certification
Earning your IAP certification allows you to more quickly and easily to become a Certified Internal Auditor.
By passing the IAP exam, you’ve already completed Part 1 of the CIA Exam and are therefore exempt from having to retake it as part of the CIA program. IAPs are only required to take Part 2 and Part 3 of the CIA Exam in completion of the exam portion of the CIA requirements.
Optional inclusion in The IIA’s certification registry
Once you earn your IAP certification, you can opt to be listed in The IIA’s certification registry database. This will put your name alongside other credentialed internal auditors and grant you international visibility in the profession.
Cost of IAP certification
The IIA’s IAP certification program offers an accessible first entry into the professional internal auditing community.
Effective May 28, 2025, the program prices are:3
The IIA members | Non-members | Students | |
Application fee | $120 | $240 | $65 |
Exam fee | $310 | $445 | $245 |
TOTAL | USD $430 | USD $685 | USD $310 |
Should I earn the IAP certification before the CIA certification?
If you plan to or are currently working in the practice of internal auditing, earning an internal audit credential is the key to career growth. While the IAP certification is highly beneficial to your advancement, the true gold standard of the profession is the comprehensive CIA certification.
So, is it worth earning your IAP certification first, or should you opt instead to bypass the credential and directly become a CIA? The answer depends on your career goals and your timeline.
If you’re a student…
You’re traditionally unable to enter the CIA program, as a bachelor’s degree is one of the minimum requirements for application. However, the IAP certification gives you a loophole to bypass this obstacle and join the CIA program during your final year of university. This helps you fast-track the path to becoming a Certified Internal Auditor; plus, you don’t lose any time or money, because you can then skip Part 1 of the CIA Exam. If you’re a student who wants to get a head start on your internal audit career through industry-recognized certifications, earning your IAP certification is not only the best way to begin—it’s the only way.
If you’re an early-career internal audit professional…
The fastest way to gain more responsibility and certify that you’re capable of internal audit duties is through the IAP certification. Because becoming a CIA is a longer and more extensive credentialing process, becoming an IAP may be a great first step for you to prove your skillsets—allowing you to advance quickly into internal audit positions, and then continue through full CIA certification at a steadier, more relaxed pace.
If you’re an experienced internal auditor…
You may consider going straight into the CIA program to gain a credential that will exponentially increase your career advancement opportunities. While you’ll need to invest time into CIA Exam Review, you likely have a robust skillset from your experience in the profession and therefore won’t need to start learning the material from scratch. You can earn your CIA certification more directly and enjoy the benefits of the full credential.
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