Internal Audit Practitioner FAQ

To support students as well as new and rotational auditors on their journey into internal auditing, The IIA is pleased to announce the revised education and employment requirements of the Internal Audit Practitioner program. The Internal Audit Practitioner designation is a great way to demonstrate internal audit aptitude. Active Internal Audit Practitioners opens a new pathway to the Certified Internal Auditor®️ (CIA®️) designation, the only globally recognized certification for internal audit practitioners around the world.

The refreshed program tests a candidate’s fundamental knowledge of current internal auditing practices and understanding of internal audit issues, risks, and controls. The Internal Audit Practitioner designation demonstrates that the holder possesses internal audit aptitude and foundational knowledge of the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

Additionally, the Internal Audit Practitioner program provides a new pathway to the CIA program through modified education requirements for active Internal Audit Practitioner designation holders. Candidates will have two years to finish the Internal Audit Practitioner program from the date they are approved into the program.

This program is ideal for:

• University Students
• Beginner Internal Auditors
• Rotational Internal Auditors
• Managers of Internal Audit Activities

The eligibility requirements for Internal Audit Practitioner are as follows:

• Government-issued ID
• Application
• Character reference

You may find the application and registration fees by visiting the Certification Pricing Structure web page.

IIA Membership is required in United Kingdom and Ireland, South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho. You may contact the IIA Affiliates in those countries by visiting the Find Your Local IIA webpage. While IIA membership is not required in other counties, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the member benefits including exam fee discounts, networking opportunities, and more.

Affiliates in North America

Affiliates outside North America

Complete the Internal Audit Practitioner application including proof of identification through The IIA’s Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS).

Yes, interactive study material is included with the Internal Audit Practitioner Program application fee. The interactive study material consists of a 100-question self-study course accessible exclusively on The IIA's Global Ondemand Training.

You will receive an email confirmation from The IIA once you are approved into the Internal Audit Practitioner Program. The confirmation will include your individual access code along with information on how to access the interactive exam study materials.

Once your application for the Internal Audit Practitioner is approved, log into CCMS to register for and schedule your exam. At present, both onsite and online testing are available. Online testing employs “live proctoring” which means you will be monitored online during the test duration, typically with the help of a webcam, mic, and access to your screen. Online testing is not available in all countries or territories.

Onsite testing is available at the many Pearson VUE test centers around the world. To locate the testing centers nearest you, visit the Pearson VUE website.

Review the Internal-Audit-Practitioner-Exam-Syllabus.

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates will have two hours to complete the exam.

You will have two years to finish the Internal Audit Practitioner program from the date you are approved into the program.

The Internal Audit Practitioner is not designed to be held indefinitely. This program is designed as a pathway into the CIA program, to accommodate those who are just starting in the profession, will only be in the profession for a short amount of time, and/or those who don’t possess a post-secondary degree and do not yet have enough experience to enter the full CIA program. As such, the designation will expire after three years.

The IIA does not provide printed certificates, instead, you will receive a PDF that you may download and print. In some countries or territories you will also receive a digital badge that represents your achievement. Candidates will be able to display their recognition through social badging. Social badging allows holders of IIA qualifications to digitally display their credentials on social and professional networking sites at no cost to the candidate. View more information on Social Badging.

The IIA Certification Registry is an up-to-date record of individuals who have earned an IIA certification and maintain it by reporting continuing professional education (CPE) to keep their credential active. All IIA active certification holders who choose to voluntarily opt-in will be included in the registry. The IIA Certification Registry allows you to provide evidence of your accomplishments and provides an opportunity for employers and recruiters to verify your IIA designations. You should opt into the certification registry to certify your credibility. Learn more.

​Yes, with an active Internal Audit Practitioner designation you can apply for the CIA program. You will have three years to enroll in the CIA program using your active Internal Audit Practitioner designation as an entry requirement. If your Internal Audit Practitioner designation is no longer active, you will have to either meet the CIA program educational requirements or meet the five years of experience required to enter the CIA program. Visit the CIA Eligibility Requirements webpage for more information.