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Certifications
What’s the right path for me?
There are lots of benefits to obtaining an official IIA certification. Whether it’s our trademark – Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) – or another industry-specific IIA qualification, a certification is a sign of professionalism.
You can choose from the following certifications:
- Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®)
- Internal Audit Practioner (IAP)®
- Certification in Risk Management Assurance® (CRMA®)
Thanks to the collaboration between the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Switzerland and the IIA Global, you can take your exams at a test center near.
Make the most of 2026 by expanding your professional expertise with the CIA Challenge Program.
Earn your Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification by passing just one exam, and enjoy the benefits of this efficient, globally recognized certification pathway.
👉 Starting 1 April, 2026, you can register for the CIA Challenge Exam here.
Please note: The required “Letter of Good Standing” is not necessary if you submit a copy of your federal diploma.
Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®)
The International Gold Standard of Internal Auditing
The CIA certification enhances career prospects for internal auditors across the private sector, non-profit organizations, and the public sector. It validates in-depth expertise in Internal Audit, Governance, Risk Management, and Internal Control.
Earning the CIA certification is a long-term investment in your career and in international professional recognition.
The CIA exam consists of three parts, all of which are administered exclusively in multiple-choice format.
Part 1: Internal Audit Fundamentals
- Foundations of Internal Auditing (35%)
- Ethics and Professionalism (20%)
- Governance, Risk Management, and Control (30%)
- Fraud Risks (15%)
Part 2: Internal Audit Engagement
- Engagement Planning (50%)
- Information Gathering, Analysis, and Evaluation (40%)
- Engagement Supervision and Communication (10%)
Part 3: Internal Audit Function
- Internal Audit Operations (25%)
- Internal Audit Plan (15%)
- Quality of the Internal Audit Function (15%)
- Engagement Results and Monitoring (45%)
Part 1: Internal Audit Fundamentals
- Foundations of Internal Auditing (35%)
- Ethics and Professionalism (20%)
- Governance, Risk Management, and Control (30%)
- Fraud Risks (15%)
Part 2: Internal Audit Engagement
- Engagement Planning (50%)
- Information Gathering, Analysis, and Evaluation (40%)
- Engagement Supervision and Communication (10%)
Part 3: Internal Audit Function
- Internal Audit Operations (25%)
- Internal Audit Plan (15%)
- Quality of the Internal Audit Function (15%)
- Engagement Results and Monitoring (45%)
All three exam parts must be completed within three years of acceptance. While the CIA certification never expires, maintaining the designation requires completing 40 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours each year.
Internal Audit Practioner® IAP®
Affordable. Accessible. Achievable.
The Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) designation is an excellent way to demonstrate your professional competence in internal auditing. As an entry-level certification, it provides a direct pathway to becoming a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), the only globally recognized certification for internal audit professionals.
Candidates earn the IAP designation by passing Part 1 of the CIA exam. The IAP certification fully credits toward the CIA certification. Those who register for the CIA program within four years of earning the IAP designation only need to pass CIA exam parts 2 and 3. This makes the IAP the ideal starting point for a sustainable career in internal auditing.
Like the CIA certification, the IAP certification is valid indefinitely. To maintain the IAP designation, candidates must complete 20 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours annually.
Certification in Risk Management Assurance® CRMA®
The IIA's Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) program is the sole certification program in the field of risk management.
Attainment of the CRMA demonstrates an ability to manage the impact of risks and shows that the holder is capable of:
- to guarantee the fundamental processes of risk management and governance
- to inform the management team and the Audit Committee about the risks facing the organisation and the approaches that are being taken to manage them.
- provide quality assurance and self-assessment of controls.
- contribute to the value of your organisation as a trusted advisor.
Steps to obtaining certification
There are a number of possible routes to becoming an internationally certified internal auditor. We are by your side on every step of your journey towards your chosen profession.
1. Basic requirements for certification
Ensure that you meet the requirements, have provided all necessary documents, and know and consent to the terms of the program.
2. Create a profile
Create a profile in the IIA’s Certification Candidate Management System (ccms) or use your existing profile.
3. Request and pay the registration fee
Select your desired certification program in the ccms to start the application process. You can pay the registration fee by bank transfer or by credit card (recommended as the fastest method).
4. Upload the required documents
You need to upload the necessary documents in the ccms so the IIA can verify whether you meet the admissions requirements for the desired certification programme. You will only be able to register for the exam once your documents and application have been submitted.
5. Exam registration and payment of the exam fee
Register for an exam at your desired test centre ahead of time. You need to meet all admissions requirements and be accepted onto a certification program before you can register and schedule your exam(s). The IIA payment guidelines for exam registration are similar to those for certification program registration.
6. Provide proof of your professional experience
in internal auditing or an equivalent area.
7. Download your certificate
Once you have passed all parts of the exam and provided proof of the required practical experience, your status in the ccms will change to ‘Certified’. You can then download your certificate from the ccms.
8. Enter your certificate in the IIA register
You can enter yourself in the register if you have a valid IIA Global certification. Registration is voluntary.
9. Keep your certificate valid
Stay up to date professionally and protect the long-term value of your CIA certification.
Through continuous professional education (CPE), you not only meet the formal requirements but also further strengthen your expertise in Internal Auditing.
Our seminars and continuing education programs provide targeted support to help you achieve this.
Learning material
The IIA Switzerland offers the CIA Exam Review.
The three-part CIA Exam Prep from Becker + The IIA can be ordered through our shop. three-part CIA Learning System directly from us, Please provide a billing and shipping address in Switzerland.
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The CIA Exam Review comprises learning material with interactive content and targeted tools to help you prepare for the CIA exams.
The learning experience has been designed for ease of use, with clear navigation. The self-paced format allows you to learn at your own pace, and Becker tracks your progress throughout the process.
For IAP preparation, we recommend Part 1 of the 'CIA Exam Review', and for the CRMA exam, the 'CRMA Exam Study Guide'. The preparation tools are currently available exclusively in English. Our course program also offers targeted exam preparation courses.
CIA Exam Practice Questions – Certified Internal Auditor®
Prepare effectively for the Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®) exam with the CIA Practice Questions from The IIA Global. The practice questions are based on retired CIA exam questions and help you strengthen your knowledge through practical application.
Each question includes detailed explanations for both correct and incorrect answers. A realistic, computer-based exam simulation further enhances your confidence and readiness for the exam.
👉 For more information and access to the CIA Practice Questions, please visit The IIA Global directly:
How to prepare for the exams:
1. Self-learning with the CIA Learning System program
In response to widespread demand, the IIA has provided an ideal self-learning toolkit to help you prepare independently for the CIA exam.
2. Exam Preparation & Certifications (EU Certifications)
To support your targeted preparation for the CIA exam, we offer specific EU-focused preparation courses. Detailed information is clearly presented in our seminar program, accessible via the button below.
We are also happy to provide further information – please contact us at info@iias.ch.
We look forward to hearing from you.
3. Study the exam requirements
Please ensure that you meet the requirements for entry and graduation from the program, maintain the confidentiality of the examination and adhere to the IIA Code of Ethics.
4. CIA practice questions
IIA Global provides free CIA practice questions. This allows you to practise answering the kinds of questions that will come up in the CIA exam. The questions are not assessed, they are just examples, and do not indicate whether a candidate is ready for the exam. A candidate’s performance when answering these questions is not indicative of how well they will perform in the exam.
Further training: Continuing professional education (CPE)
Certification Renewal Policy
The IIA's Professional Certifications Board (PCB) has approved changes to the CPE Reporting Policy: On September 1, 2023, the CPE Reporting Policy will become the Annual Certification Renewal Policy. We have summarized the most important changes for you:
Removal of the "Expired" status and the "Reinstatement Process"
- The "Expired" status will be removed as of January 1, 2024. All certifications that are in "Expired" status on January 1, 2024 will be placed on "Revoked" through a 10-day review process.
- A certification set to "Revoked" can no longer be activated with a "Reinstatement Process". To reinstate certifications that have been set to "Revoked," all exams must be retaken beginning January 1, 2024.
- Individuals whose certification is in "Expired" status can still reactivate using the "Reinstatement Process" until December 31, 2023. To do so, log into ccms.theiia.org and start the "Reinstatement Process" by reporting the required CPE points from the last 12 months. More information about the "Reinstatement Process" can be found here.
- Revoked status will be implemented beginning January 1, 2024.
- Individuals whose certification is in "Revoked" status as of January 1, 2024 will be required to retake all exams in the "Recertification Process" to reinstate their certification.
- There is no recertification for CCSA, CFSA, CGAP, and QIAL.
Extension of the Grace Period
- The "Grace Period" is extended from one year to two years.
- After two years in the "Grace Period", the certification will be set to "Revoked". In order to restore certifications set to "Revoke", all exams must be repeated in the "Recertification Process" beginning January 1, 2024.
- Individuals whose certification is in "Grace Period" status should check ccms.theiia.org to see until when their "Grace Period" lasts and complete the "Reinstatement Process" in a timely manner so they do not lose their certification.
- "Retired" status will no longer allow reactivation after two or more years as of January 1, 2024.
- Individuals whose certification has been in "Retired" status for more than 2 years will need to recertify using the "Recertification Process" to regain their CIA or CRMA designation.
- For CCSA, CFSA, CGAP and QIAL, recertification is not provided.
Please log on to ccms.theiia.org to check the status of your certification and take the necessary steps. Also, make sure your data is up to date in CCMS so that you receive the auto-generated emails from IIA Global each time and do not miss any deadlines.
Further professional training for CIA, IAP and CRMA
Certified Internal Auditors CIA, Internal Audit Parcticioners IAP and Certification in Risk Management Assurance CRMA need to take certain measures to keep their knowledge and skills up to date and keep up with current developments in the field of internal auditing. After completing the exam, graduates need to undergo comprehensive further training to ensure they maintain high quality standards.
Holders of the CIA certification are responsible for ensuring they complete the required number of hours of further training. They are also responsible for ensuring that the required hours of CPE (continuing professional education) meet the IIA Global requirements and are accurate (see the New Certification Renewal Policy).
The deadline for reporting CPE hours is 31 December of each year. If you fail to report your CPE, your certification/qualification will expire, and you will no longer be able to call yourself certified.
Reporting CPE hours is free for members of IIA Switzerland. Non-members are charged USD 120.00 per certificate. If you have questions about membership and membership status, please contact info@iias.ch.
To review the status of your certification and complete the required steps, please log in to ccms.theiia.org. In addition, please ensure that your contact details in CCMS are up to date so that you receive the automatically generated emails from IIA Global in a timely manner and do not miss any deadlines.
Become a member of IIA Switzerland
The IIA Certification Registry
Anyone with a valid IIA Global certification can be entered into the registry. Registration is voluntary.