Becoming a Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA) and putting the gold standard of internal audit certifications on your resume means that you must first pass the CIA Exam. But no matter how much you prepare, if you don’t know when to take the exam, you’ll never pass! Learn when you can take the CIA Exam and plan your path to being a CIA.
Summary
There are no fixed CIA Exam testing windows according to the calendar year, meaning that candidates can schedule their exams whenever they are ready. However, they must sit for the exam within the 180-day testing window that begins immediately after registration.
Timeline for the CIA Exam
Before you register and sit for the CIA Exam, you must be part of the CIA program through the certification’s governing body and standard-setters of global internal audit practices, The Institute of Internal Auditors® (The IIA®).
You can apply for the program once you’ve completed one of these prerequisites:
- A master’s degree
- A bachelor’s degree
- A qualifying professional auditing designation
- 5+ years of experience as an internal auditor
- Enrollment as a student in your final year of university
- You may apply for the Internal Audit Professional (IAP) 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.
Once you’ve become a CIA candidate with The IIA, however, you can schedule your CIA Auditor Exam whenever you’re ready. Exam dates are available throughout the year, and you can choose to take the separate exam parts in whatever order you choose.
In this sense, the CIA Exam timeline largely depends on your study and preparation schedule. However, it's important to note that, once you are excepted into The IIA's CIA program, you have a maximum three years to pass all three exam parts and gain certification. If you do not pass the CIA Exam within this three-year time frame, you must forfeit program entrance and any passed exam parts, and start all over again.
Are There CIA Exam Testing Windows?
There are no specific CIA Exam testing windows according to the calendar year. However, once you register for the CIA Exam, you have 180 days to schedule and sit for that exam part. If you do not sit within the 180-day testing window, you will lose your registration and fee paid, and you must pay and register again when you’re ready to renew the 180-day window.
How Do I Register for the CIA Exam?
To register for the CIA Exam, log in to the Certificate Candidate Management System (CCMS) through the IMA’s website. Click “Register” on your platform, which will lead you through the steps to schedule your exam.
Prepare to Pass During Your CIA Exam Testing Window
The best way to ensure that you pass the CIA Exam within the 180-day testing window after registration is to follow a comprehensive study plan. Becker partners with The IIA to provide the only official CIA Exam Review created with the team who writes and administers the CIA Exam.
Our CIA Exam Review provides the support, content, and advanced study tools to help you excel on exam day. Try Becker—The IIA CIA® Exam Review FREE for 14 days to get started with the best way to pass the CIA Exam.
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