Certification Renewal
The importance of annual certification renewal:
To keep pace with developing trends and the ever-changing risk landscape, it is essential for IIA certification holders to regularly enhance their knowledge, skills, and competencies through continuing professional development. Certification holders renew their certifications annually and demonstrate their commitment to keeping their knowledge current and their skills sharp by earning and attesting to continuing professional education (CPE) credit hours throughout the year. The IIA’s commitment to continued education helps to uphold the internal audit profession’s reputation for providing assurance and insight in an objective and ethical manner which serves to benefit all certification holders, their employers, and stakeholders alike.
Certification Renewal Requirements
Annual Certification Renewal opens 1 October each year. Log in to the Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS) to begin your renewal.
The renewal deadline is 31 December each year. Should you fail to renew your Active certification, it will enter a Grace status, and as a result, you are no longer approved to represent yourself as a certified individual. Individuals remaining in Grace for 2 years will enter a Revoked status and must reapply and retest if they wish to become certified again.
As an IIA certified or qualified professional, you are responsible for ensuring that your certification is renewed annually. You must log in to CCMS to complete your certification renewal. Get more information on certification renewal steps for Active and Grace status certification holders.
Access New Certification Renewal Policy (Effective 1 September 2023)
ENGLISH | ARABIC | FRENCH | German | KOREAN | PORTUGUESE | RUSSIAN | SIMPLIFIED CHINESE | Spanish | Traditional Chinese | TURKISH
Certification Status
| Active | Holder is currently active and may display their certification after their name and use the benefits of holding the IIA designation. |
|---|---|
| Grace (2 year Period) | Holder did not report required CPE hours and moved to Grace status. Previous holder may not display their certification after their name nor use the benefits of holding the IIA designation. Individual must report required CPE to move their designation into Active status. |
| Revoked | Holder did not report required CPE after 3 year period and the designation was revoked. Previous holder may not display their certification after their name nor use the benefits of holding the IIA designation. Individual is required to recertify. (Re-apply into the program and pass all required examinations, including paying all fees.) |
What is changing?
The most significant policy change is that once a certification is expired, it cannot be reinstated. The certification is revoked if the holder goes 3 years or longer without reporting CPE. If an individual with a revoked certification wishes to become certified again, they must reapply to the certification program and pass all required exams to recertify
- Any surplus of CPE acquired during a calendar year may be used for the following calendar year reporting cycle (20 hours max for CIA and 10 hours for other IIA designations can be rolled over)
- Grace period increased from 1 year to 2 years.
- A certification will be “revoked” if the holder goes 3 consecutive years without reporting CPE. A certification in “revoked” status cannot be reinstated; an individual with “revoked” certifications needs to retake the exams.
- If a certification holder enters into grace status, the holder may no longer use their designation. They may begin using the designation again when their status is returned to active.
- Once revoked, there is no provision to recertify for discontinued certification programs (CCSA, CFSA, CGAP, QIAL).
- A designation must be in Active status to be moved to Retired status. Individuals remaining in Retired status for more than two years will be required to recertify to restore their CIA or CRMA designation to an Active status.
Refer to table below for a summary of changes.
Summary of Changes
*(changes are BOLD)
| Current Policy | Revised Policy (Effective 1 September 2023) | |
|---|---|---|
| Certification Reinstatement | Individuals in Expired status may reinstate their designation by reporting required CPE hours. | Reinstatement will no longer be offered starting 1 January 2024. Individuals who move into "Revoked" status will be required to recertify their designation. (Re-apply into the program and pass all required examinations, including paying all fees.) For individuals requesting hardship, please refer to the Certification Renewal Policy. |
| Surplus (Carryover) CPE | Not offered | Any surplus of CPE acquired during a calendar year may be used for the following calendar year reporting cycle (20 hours max for CIA and 10 hours for other IIA designations) |
| Grace Status | 1 year | 2 years |
What are some benefits of certifications and continuing professional education?
Earning any of The IIA’s certifications demonstrates to peers and employers that you have a strong foundation of professional competencies. Certifications can provide a boost in opportunities regarding job offers, salaries, and promotions.
Your IIA certifications are much more than their exams. The profession of internal auditing is constantly evolving; through continuing professional development, your certifications demonstrate that your professional competencies are current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices in a rapidly changing risk landscape.
Earning and reporting CPE credit hours signifies your investment in continuous learning.
Continuing professional education ensures that your IIA certifications stay as valuable as the day you earned them.
Candidiate Scenarios
-
Continue to complete your certification renewal before 31 December each year. You may continue to use your designation benefits.
-
You must complete certification renewal before 31 December 2023. Individuals in Grace status may not use their certification associated with Active status. If you do not report by 31 December 2024, you will move to Revoked status and on 1 January 2025, you will be required to recertify.
-
You must complete certification renewal before 31 December 2024. Individuals in Grace status may not use their certification associated with Active status. If you do not report by 31 December 2025, your designation will be moved to Revoked status and you will be required to recertify.
-
Review the Certification Renewal Policy under Hardship Exemptions. Exemption requests must be submitted prior to 31 December. (Supporting documentation is required.)
-
Continue to complete your certification renewal before 31 December each year for the active certification. For your Grace status certification, please refer to Candidate Scenario 2.
-
There are no provisions to recertify these designations. You may request hardship consideration by opening a case via your CCMS profile. Refer to the hardship policy in the CPE Policy.
-
This is a temporary designation valid for three years. Once it expires, it can no longer be re-activated. You may not use the benefits of Active status for this designation.
-
The new policy goes into effect on 1 September 2023. Individuals will have the opportunity to reactivate the designation until 31 December 2023. Starting l January 2024, individuals will no longer be able to reactivate the designation and recertification is required.
FAQ:
-
Recertification is for any designation that is in Revoked status. Previous holders may not display their certification after their name nor use the benefits of holding the IIA designation. Recertification requires an individual to re-apply into the program and pass all examinations, including paying all fees, to obtain the designation.
-
No. Holders in Grace, Expired, or Revoked status may not display their certification after their name nor use the benefits of holding the IIA designation.
-
Yes, this optional registry may be selected during the reporting period or you may request to be added by opening a new case within your CCMS profile.
-
There is IIA member pricing on applications and exam registrations. No additional discounts are provided.
-
Please refer to the hardship policy in the CPE Policy.
-
You may open a new case within your CCMS profile under the Help tab.
Public Certification Registry
All individuals who have earned an IIA certification and maintain it by reporting CPE are eligible to opt into.
The IIA Certification RegistryCPE Opportunities
If you are looking for ways to obtain your CPE or CPD hours, check out these:
IIA CPE-earning opportunitiesCertification Pricing
CPE reporting fees vary globally, based upon membership status, if you report CPE directly to The IIA through CCMS, or through your local affiliate.
Pricing StructureComplimentary Reporting for North America IIA Members
Members of The IIA in North America and the Caribbean benefit from free certification renewal reporting. Learn more about IIA membership benefits.
Global Rules/Requirements
Certification renewal fees vary globally, based upon membership status, if you renew directly to The IIA through CCMS, or through your local affiliate. Check with your local affiliate regarding pricing and the reporting process.
Visit the Fee Structure page of our website for the most current pricing information. IIA-certified professionals who fail to renew their certification by the deadline will automatically be placed in Grace status and may not use their designation nor be listed in the registry. Individuals remaining in Grace for 2 years will enter a Revoked status and must reapply and retest if they wish to become certified again.
Annual CPE Audit Activities
The Annual CPE Audit notifications are sent via email immediately following the completion of your renewal. If selected for an audit, individuals must provide evidence of CPE activities completed for the renewal cycle that meet the criteria described in the Annual Certification Renewal Policy. (If you self-claim CPEs, be sure to keep detailed records.) If you are chosen for an audit, you will be given a six-month grace period to complete your audit. The deadline and requirements for returning supporting documentation will be included in the email.
*CPE reporting fees vary globally based upon membership status. Individuals from IIA Institutes should contact their local representatives for their CPE reporting process.