Certified Internal Auditor Renewal FAQs

1. What is CIA Renewal?

CIA Renewal is the annual process of maintaining your Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation by fulfilling the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements set by The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).

The CPE earning period runs from January 1 to December 31 each year. All required CPE credits must be earned within this timeframe.

However, certification renewal officially opens on October 1 each year. This means that if you have already completed your required CPE credits before October, you can submit your renewal early instead of waiting until December.

The final deadline for renewal is December 31. If you do not renew by this date, your certification enters Grace status on January 1 of the following year.

Once you have completed your CPE requirements, you can submit your renewal anytime through the Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS).

You can access the CCMS anytime, but the renewal submission option will only be available starting October 1.

2. How often do I need to renew my CIA certification?

The CIA certification must be renewed annually by reporting CPE credits and paying the renewal fee to IIA.

3. What are the CPE requirements for CIA renewal?

The required CPE hours depend on your certification status:

• Active CIAs: 40 CPE hours per year
• Practicing CIAs: 40 CPE hours per year
• Non-Practicing CIAs: 20 CPE hours per year
• Retired CIAs: No CPE requirement, but you must officially report retirement status

At least 2 CPE hours must cover ethics training.

4. What types of activities qualify for CPE credits?

CPE credits can be earned through various professional development activities, including:

• Training & Seminars (e.g., IIA webinars, industry conferences, workshops)
• Online CPD Courses (e.g. CPD programs based on the IIA Syllabus for internal auditors)
• Teaching & Speaking Engagements (related to internal audit)
• Publishing Articles or Research Papers (on auditing and compliance topics)
• On-the-Job Learning & Self-Study (with proper documentation)

5. How do I report my CPE credits?

CPE credits must be reported through the IIA’s Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS) before the December 31 deadline each year.

6. What happens if I don’t meet the CPE requirements?

If you do not meet the CPE requirements by December 31, your certification will enter Grace status, and you will no longer be authorized to present yourself as a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

While in Grace status, you can still complete the necessary CPE requirements and submit your renewal to restore your Active status. However, if you remain in Grace status for two consecutive years, your certification will be officially Revoked. At this point, reinstatement is no longer possible—you must apply for recertification, meet all eligibility requirements again, and successfully pass the CIA exam.

If your certification is currently in Grace status, you must first complete the renewal for the previous period before submitting the renewal for the current period.

7. What is the CPE Audit?

Each year, a percentage of certified individuals will be randomly selected by The IIA for a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Audit. Those selected must submit a complete record of their CPE credits for the previous reporting period.

If you are chosen for an audit, you will receive an immediate notification with instructions on how to provide the necessary documentation. To ensure compliance, it is crucial to keep accurate records of all CPE activities in case you are selected.

8. How much is the renewal fee?

The renewal fee varies depending on your IIA membership status and location. Members often receive discounted renewal rates. Check IIA Global or your local IIA chapter for the most up-to-date fee structure.

9. Can I reinstate my CIA certification if it becomes inactive?

Yes, but you must:

• Catch up on missing CPE credits
• Pay the reinstatement fee
• Submit your renewal through CCMS

If your certification is in Grace status, you must first renew for the previous period before proceeding with the current period's renewal.

CIA Reinstatement Timeline:

Grace Period (Up to 2 Years)

• If you fail to meet the CPE requirements by December 31, your certification enters Grace status on January 1 of the following year.
• While in Grace status, you can still reinstate your certification by completing the missing CPE credits and paying the necessary fees.
  

Revoked Status (After 2 Years of Inactivity)

• If you do not reinstate your certification within two years of Grace status, your certification is revoked.
• Once revoked, you cannot reinstate it—you must reapply for certification and retake the CIA exam to become certified again.

10. Where can I find CIA renewal training programs?

You can enroll in Internal Audit training programs, CPD courses, or other recognized educational providers offering CPE-eligible courses.

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11. When is the deadline for CIA renewal?

The deadline for CPE reporting and renewal is December 31 each year. However, you are encouraged to complete your renewal as soon as you have met your CPE requirements to avoid delays.