CIA

How to become a CIA

January 2, 2025

6 min read

Content Marketing Specialist

If you’re an internal auditing professional—or you want to be—the best way to advance your career is by earning your Certified Internal Auditor^® (CIA^®) credential. As the gold standard of certifications within the practice of internal auditing, it equips you with the knowledge and authority to work as a trusted internal auditor within any organization.

But earning this credential requires that you meet the Certified Internal Auditor requirements, as defined by the governing body over the exam, The Institute of Internal Auditors^® (The IIA^®). Find out how to become a Certified Internal Auditor, so you can start growing your career.

Certified Internal Auditor requirements: CIA program

Earning your CIA certification begins with joining The IIA’s CIA program. You must meet at least one of the following criteria to apply:

Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher
A qualifying professional auditing designation
5+ years of internal audit experience
Be a student in your final year of university
- You may apply for a professional auditing designation at this stage in your education. Earning the designation will then grant you the ability to join the CIA program and relieve you of having to take and pass Part 1 of the CIA Exam. However, you can’t earn your full CIA credential until after completing your degree.

You have three years to complete the CIA program and earn your credential once you join and pay the associated fees.

Certified Internal Auditor requirements: Exam

After joining the CIA program through The IIA, your next step in how to become a CIA is passing the CIA Exam.

This three-part exam ensures that you have the essential knowledge and skills to succeed as an internal auditor. Each exam section covers a different specialization within the practice:

Internal Audit Fundamentals
Internal Audit Engagement
Internal Audit Function

Passing the CIA exam requires preparation. Even if you already work in auditing, a CIA Exam Review course will help you:

Expand your knowledge to cover the areas where you don’t have experience
Learn exactly what you’ll see on each exam section
Focus your study time and track your progress
Understand and practice the testing format
Pass each exam section the first time

When you’re prepared to take the CIA Exam, you must register and pay the exam fees through The IIA. And once you take and pass all three parts, you’ll be one giant step closer on your journey towards meeting the Certified Internal Auditor requirements.

Certified Internal Auditor requirements: Experience

Upon passing the CIA Exam, the largest hurdle to earning your credential is behind you. However, you must complete the Certified Internal Auditor experience requirement before officially becoming a CIA.

Your level of education will determine how many years of experience in the practice of internal auditing you need to complete to earn your credential.

If you hold a master’s degree or higher, you need 1 year of professional internal audit experience.
If you have a bachelor’s degree, you need 2 years of professional internal audit experience.

With both the CIA Exam and professional requirements under your belt, all that’s left is to submit proof of your work experience.

The IIA will send you an email notification that you are now a certified CIA! At that point, add “CIA” to your email signature, resume, and business cards—because it’s official. You’ll also be added to The IIA Certification Registry.

Certified Internal Auditor requirements after certification

Even after you’re a practicing CIA, it’s vital to keep your knowledge current and your credential in good standing by completing continuing professional education (CPE).

The IIA requires that you complete 40 hours of CPE credits per year, with at least 2 in ethics courses. Once you complete your required CPE, you can renew your certification online at any point. However, you must do so by December 31st each year.

Becker can help you become a Certified Internal Auditor

If you’re wondering how to become a Certified Internal Auditor, you already know that this certification will open endless growth opportunities in your auditing career. Take the first step toward achieving your goals by learning more about Becker—The IIA CIA Exam Review course—coming in March 2025!

Register for email updates, release dates, pre-sale, and more!

About the author

Shannon is the Content Marketing Specialist with the Becker team at Colibri Group. Her copy and content writing experience prior to this role includes education, non-profit, technology, building products, and other industries. She enjoys synthesizing concepts into a digestible, informative, and valuable resource for her audiences, and feels fortunate to work in a position that fosters extensive reading and intellectual growth. Shannon holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University Schreyer Honors College and a Master’s in Comparative Literature, also from Penn State. Apart from her professional identity, she’s a wife, mom, farmer, and musician.