The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is the credential from The Institute of Internal Auditors (The IIA). Its exam has three parts, with 125, 100 and 100 questions, and you have three years from acceptance to complete the requirements. Experience required depends on your education: one year with a master's degree, two with a bachelor's. Active CA and CISA holders are listed on a separate route.
Last reviewed: 17 October 2026. Facts checked. We opened The IIA's CIA certification page and took the exam structure and eligibility from it. We did not find fees on that page and do not state them. We did not open the exam syllabus, so we describe topics only in general terms. We give no salary figures. Confirm all details with The IIA, because rules change.
What the CIA is
The CIA is a global credential for internal audit professionals. It is run by The IIA, the body behind the professional framework for internal audit. In India, the Companies Act and the ICAI's Standards on Internal Audit set the local legal and professional context. The CIA is an addition to that context, not a substitute. For the Indian side see our guide to internal audit versus statutory audit.
Exam structure, from The IIA
| Part | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 125 | 2.5 hours (150 minutes) |
| Part 2 | 100 | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Part 3 | 100 | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
The IIA does not prescribe the order in which you take the parts. Exam registrations are valid for 180 days or until the programme expiry date, whichever is sooner. A one-part CIA Challenge Exam, covering content from all three parts, is available to some candidates.
Eligibility, from The IIA
The page sets out routes by background:
| Your background | What The IIA's page says |
|---|---|
| Master's degree or higher | 1 year of internal audit experience. Pass all three parts within 3 years of applying |
| Bachelor's degree | 2 years of internal audit experience. Pass all three parts within 3 years |
| Active Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) | Waiver for Part 1, pass Parts 2 and 3 within 3 years. Experience is listed separately |
| Active college student or no degree | First pass the IAP exam within 2 years, then apply for the CIA |
| Qualified accountant (active CPA or CA licence) | Provide an active licence and a letter of good standing, then pass the CIA Challenge Exam within 3 years |
| Active CISA holder | Provide an active CISA and proof of good standing, then pass the CIA Challenge Exam within 3 years |
The page says you can sit for the exam before obtaining experience if you hold a master's degree. Confirm whether your ICAI membership meets the "CA" route, since the page does not say how it treats an Indian chartered accountant specifically.
Who should take it
The CIA fits:
- Internal auditors in companies who want an international credential. Our internal audit career path guide maps the routes.
- CA firm staff doing internal audit assignments under Section 138 and for banks or NBFCs. Our internal auditor appointment note explains how those assignments arise.
- Multinational group teams where the parent expects global qualifications.
- Risk and compliance staff who want a structured internal audit foundation.
It fits less well if your work is statutory audit only or pure tax. A CA with a statutory-audit career may find the ICAI route and subject specialisations a better first step. A CISA holder moving into wider internal audit may find the Challenge Exam route attractive.
How to decide in three steps
- Check your route. Match your degree or credential to the table above.
- Check your timeline. The IIA gives three years from acceptance. Plan study around busy seasons such as year-end audits.
- Check the payoff. Ask whether your firm or employer values it. We do not offer salary data, because we did not verify any.
Working with the exam content
The syllabus is on The IIA's site. For hands-on practice, build real audit documents: an audit universe, a risk assessment and a report. Our audit universe guide and internal audit report format are practical starting points, and our risk assessment matrix calculator helps with scoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many parts are in the CIA exam?
Three parts. The IIA lists 125, 100 and 100 questions, and times of 2.5, 2 and 2 hours.
What experience do I need for the CIA?
The IIA's page lists 1 year of internal audit experience with a master's degree or higher and 2 years with a bachelor's degree. Other routes have their own terms.
Can chartered accountants skip parts?
The page lists a route for active CPA or CA licence holders through the CIA Challenge Exam, a single exam covering all three parts. Check how The IIA treats your ICAI membership.
How long do I have to finish?
The IIA's page says three years from acceptance into the programme.
Is the CIA the same as ICAI's internal audit certification?
No. It is a separate credential from a different body. We did not compare the two in this check.
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