Certification Candidate Handbook
This handbook provides certification information for The IIA’s Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®), Certification in Risk Management Assurance® (CRMA®), and Internal Audit Practitioner™(IAP™) programs.
The Certification Candidate Handbook includes:
- Steps to certification.
- Accessing and using The IIA's Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS).
- Registering and scheduling an exam/part.
- Preparing for the certification exam.
- Checking in at a test center and taking the exam.
- Exam content information, format, and scoring.
- Requirements for maintaining your certification.
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Your application must be submitted, with payment, before your application and documents will be reviewed. You will receive notification via email when your application is reviewed or if additional documents are required. Please be sure to keep your email in CCMS up to date.
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Once your application payment is processed by The IIA, you have 90 days to complete the application process. That includes uploading all required documentation and following the on-screen instructions to finalize your application. If the process isn’t completed within that 90-day window, the application will expire, and you will need to reapply.
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Once your application is approved, CCMS will adjust the status expiration date to match the program expiration date.
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To register for your exam:
- Your application must be approved before taking these next steps.
- Log into CCMS.
- Select "Manage My Program."
- Choose your exam under "TEST" in the left navigation pane.
- Click "Register" and complete payment. Wait for the order number confirmation.
Note: Your exam authorization is valid for 180 days or until your program expires, whichever comes first.
To schedule your exam:
- Click “Access Pearson VUE" in CCMS.
- Select your preferred date, time, and location.
Note: For Challenge exams, candidates are required to select a testing window that coincides with their exam registration period. Available testing windows include February, June, September, and November.
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Exams must be taken at an authorized Pearson VUE test center. You can find a list of test center locations on the Pearson VUE website.
In order to preserve the integrity of the IIA certifications, online testing was discontinued 27 May 2025.
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To reschedule an follow these steps:
- Log into your CCMS record.
- Select the "Access Pearson VUE" link in the top banner of your CCMS Homepage.
- Select the exam you would like to schedule under the “Pre-Approved Exams” section that appears.
- Follow the on-screen prompts.
You may cancel or reschedule your confirmed exam appointment as needed during your exam window directly in CCMS or by contacting Pearson VUE. Pearson VUE charges a $75 USD change fee each time you reschedule. You will receive an email from Pearson VUE confirming your changes. Changes are allowed until 48 hours before your appointment.
Note: Canceling the exam will not extend your 180-day exam registration.
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Candidates are permitted a maximum of eight attempts to complete any given exam part within a certification program.
You may schedule a retake of a failed exam 30 days after your most recent attempt. To retake a failed exam, register again and pay the fee.
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No refunds or credits will be provided once you accept the price and complete the purchase. If you believe the price shown is incorrect for any reason, do not complete your registration. Instead, open a case within CCMS.
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No, fees paid through CCMS cannot be transferred from one registration to another.
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A single 12-month extension of the certification program may be purchased.
You can buy a single 75-day extension for each exam registration.
Extensions must be purchased prior to the expiration of the program or exam registration through your CCMS account. View a list of current extension pricing.
Note: Extensions are not available for the CIA Challenge Program.
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Once you have completed all the requirements for your certification program, an audit will automatically occur. This process takes 7 to 10 business days. Once the audit is complete, you will receive a notification at your primary email address listed in your CCMS profile, confirming your certification.
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Please open a case through your CCMS account for further assistance.