CIA Challenge Exam

The CIA Challenge Exams are a fast-track route for qualified members to complete the highly respected Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification by sitting a single Challenge exam instead of the usual three exams.

We offer two CIA Challenge exams:

• For qualified accountants
• For qualified information systems auditors

Register as qualified accountant

IIA Global website with additional information

Information on how to register as an information systems auditor coming soon.

What I will learn?

The CIA Challenge exams are primarily based on the International standards and authoritative guidance on the standards. The standards are the  cornerstone of the CIA syllabus.

Download the CIA Challenge exam syllabus for qualified accountants

Download the CIA Challenge exam syllabus for information systems auditors

Eligibility

The CIA Challenge exam for qualified accountants is open to ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS, CPA Ireland, and Chartered Accountants Ireland. Scroll down to view the full list of qualifying bodies.

The CIA Challenge exam for information systems auditors is open to Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) holders.  

Membership with the Charterd IIA is required for all candidates based in the UK and Ireland.

About the exam

Both the CIA Challenge exams will be multiple choice, and candidates can sit the at a Pearson Vue Centre or from any other location that meet the set criteria.

Each exam consists of 150 questions to be completed within 180 minutes. To pass the exam, candidates must achieve a final score of 600 out of 750, or 80%.

CIA Challenge exam for information systems auditors

CIA Challenge exam for qualified accountants

This route is available only to members of qualified accounting bodies and covers all areas of the CIA certification (Parts 1, 2 and 3) and addresses topics not currently covered in the accountancy exams.

Preparing for the CIA Challenge Exam

We currently offer workshops to support candidates preparing to sit the CIA Challenge exam for qualified accountants.  The masterclasses are delivered online and are designed to fully prepare you by reviewing challenging areas of the study material. 

Find out more.

We do not currently offer additional support for information systems auditors.

Timeline for 2024 applications

Application window: April – September 2024

Once your application is approved, you have 180 days to register, schedule, and sit the exam.

Timeline for 2024 applications

Qualifying bodies

Candidates applying for the CIA Challenge Exam must be current members of one of the following qualified accounting bodies (former members and students are ineligible):

• CPA license from any US State Board
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)®
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)®
• Chartered Accountants Ireland®
• Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)®
• CPA Australia®
• Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA)®
• Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA Ireland)®
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)®
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) ™
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)®
• Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU)™
• Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)®
• Koninklijke Nederlandse Beroepsorganisatie van Accountants (NBA)™
• Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)™
• Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)™
• Registro Oficial de Auditores de Cuentas (ROAC)™
• Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA)™
• South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)™
• State of Israel Ministry of Justice-Board of Accountants®

Fees

• Membership fee: £234
• New member application fee: £148
• CIA Challenge exam application and study materials: $1,255
• CIA Challenge exam Masterclass £805+VAT