The IIA's annual certification renewal
Renewal requirements
- Annual Certification Renewal is available from 1 October - 31 December each year.
- Log in to the Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS) to begin your renewal.
- 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.
- As an IIA certification holder, you are responsible for ensuring that your certification is renewed annually.
- Get more information on certification renewal steps for Active and Grace status certification holders.
CPE hours required for annual certification renewal
This chart only applies to active, practicing certification holders. Information for non-practicing and retired certification holders is available in the Certification renewal policy.
Certification Type
CIA
CCSA, CGAP, CFSA, CRMA, and/or QIAL
IAP
Number of CPE Hours
40
20
20 (starting in 2026)
Certification statuses
Active certification status
Holder is currently active and may display their certification after their name and use the benefits of holding the IIA designation.
Grace certification status (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 certification status
Holder did not report required CPE after a 3-year period and the designation was revoked.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. (Submit a recertification application and pass the required examination, including paying all fees.)
Recertification update
CIA certifications in a Revoked status can now be returned to an Active status.
Individuals wishing to restore their CIA will need to complete a recertification application and take only the CIA Part 1 exam.
How does continuing professional development help internal auditors stay current in a rapidly changing profession?
Through continuing professional development, you maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, technologies, and best practices in a changing risk landscape.
Candidate scenarios
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Continue to complete your certification renewal before 31 December each year.
You may continue to use your designation benefits.
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Review the Certification Renewal Policy under Hardship Exemptions.
Exemption requests must be submitted prior to 31 December. (Supporting documentation is required.)
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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.
Frequently asked questions
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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 submit a recertification application and pass the associated exam, including paying all fees, to obtain the designation.
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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.
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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.
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There is IIA member pricing on applications and exam registrations.
No additional discounts are provided.
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Please refer to the hardship policy in the Certification Renewal Policy.
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One of the most common ways certified individuals earn CPE hours is by completing educational programs. However, there are a wide variety of qualifying activities. For complete details, review the Certification renewal policy.
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Supporting documentation (such as a certificate earned from a training course) does not need to be submitted during the Annual Certification Renewal process.
However, random audits are conducted annually. For this reason, certified individuals must maintain a copy of all supporting documentation for at least three years, and records must be made available to The IIA upon request.
For complete details, review the Certification renewal policy.
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You may open a new case within your CCMS profile under the Help tab.
Complimentary 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 National Institute.
- Check with your National Institute regarding pricing and the reporting process.
Audit selection and process
- If you are randomly selected for a CPE audit, a notification will be sent to you via email immediately following the completion of your renewal. Requirements will be included in the email.
- 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 6-month grace period to complete your audit.