Earning the CIA certification requires time, effort, and money, but with the increased earning potential and other benefits the CIA brings, it pays for itself with dividends throughout your career. Still, you may be wondering, “How much does it cost to become a certified internal auditor?” To answer this question and help you develop your certification budget, we’ll assess the CIA exam fees and some other costs you may not have considered.
CIA Exam Fees
These are the fees and other expenses you’ll encounter on the way to earning the CIA:
- IIA Membership
While IIA membership is not mandatory for taking the CIA exam, it is recommended for its many benefits, including discounted CIA exam application and part fees. As an IIA member, you can save more than $450 on CIA exam fees. The IIA offers several membership types with these fees:
IIA Membership Fees
| Membership Type* |
U.S. |
Canada** |
|---|---|---|
| Professional |
US $270 |
US $280 |
| Government |
US $175 |
US $165 |
| Educator |
US $145 |
US $150 |
| Student |
US $50 |
US $50 |
| Retired |
US $90 |
US $90 |
| International |
Please review our CIA Exam Guide for details. |
|
*Annual dues per member
**For drafts drawn on banks outside of the U.S., please add US$30 to cover bank collection charges.
- Application Fee
To take the CIA exam, IIA members and non-members must
- Create a profile in The IIA’s Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS),
- Apply to the CIA Certification Program, and
- Pay the CIA exam application fee.
The cost of the application fee varies according to membership type. As you can see, for most memberships, the savings on fees more than justify the cost.
Application Fee
|
Member |
Non-Member |
Student/Professor |
|---|---|---|
|
US $115 |
US $230 |
US $65 |
- CIA Exam Part Fees
When you’re ready to register for an exam part, log in to the CCMS, fill out the appropriate registration form, and submit your order. CIA exam part fees vary per part and membership type.
Exam Part Fees*
|
Exam Part |
Member |
Non-Member |
Student/Professor |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Part 1 |
US $280 |
US $395 |
US $230 |
|
Part 2 |
US $230 |
US $345 |
US $180 |
|
Part 3 |
US $230 |
US $345 |
US $180 |
*All fees are non-refundable.
These prices are applicable in the United States, Canada, and many other countries, but they may be different in countries where the exam is administered through agreements with IIA affiliates. To verify that these fees are accurate for you, contact your local affiliate.
- CIA Review Course
Once you become knowledgeable about the CIA exam and decide which part to take first (we recommend starting with Part 1), you should purchase a CIA review course so you can be completely prepared to pass the exam. Because of the amount and complexity of material on the test, a review course is essential to CIA exam success. The price range for CIA review courses is $375-$1800. Base your buying decision on which available course components fit your learning style, the value for the price, and the provider’s respectability as determined by customer reviews and industry longevity. When you purchase your course early in the exam process, you can take advantage of helpful study plan resources, like the intuitive study planner and helpful exam mentors included with Gleim CIA Review.
With our comprehensive coverage, unparalleled support, and unmatched results, Gleim CIA Review is the #1 CIA exam prep course. Our Traditional CIA Review System features our test bank of high-quality multiple-choice questions, the most realistic exam emulation on the market, and support from our Personal Counselors. You can get all 3 parts for just $799. Our Premium CIA Review System includes all these features plus our in-depth video series, our Access Until You Pass® guarantee, and assistance from accounting experts. All 3 parts cost $949. While you can purchase each part separately, buying a complete review system is more cost-effective. You can also make easy payments over 3, 6, or 12 months when you choose to finance your Gleim CIA Review through Affirm.
- Travel Expenses
If you have to sit for the CIA exam at a distant Pearson VUE testing center, then your CIA exam budget must account for travel expenses, such as airplane tickets, bus or train tickets, taxis, hotel rooms, gas, and meals. You can minimize these costs by registering early so you can secure the most convenient date, time, and location for your testing appointment.
Total CIA Exam Costs
Combining these CIA exam fees gives us the total base cost of becoming a certified internal auditor. (Travel expenses—if needed—are additional.)
Certification Fees* with IIA Membership
|
CIA Review Course |
$949.00 |
|
IIA Membership |
$270.00 |
|
CIA Application |
$115.00 |
|
Part 1 Exam Fee |
$280.00 |
|
Part 2 Exam Fee |
$230.00 |
|
Part 3 Exam Fee |
$230.00 |
|
Total |
$2,074.00 |
*For IIA Member Professionals in the U.S.
Certification Fees* Without IIA Membership
|
CIA Review Course |
$949.00 |
|
IIA Membership |
N/A |
|
CIA Application |
$230.00 |
|
Part 1 Exam Fee |
$395.00 |
|
Part 2 Exam Fee |
$345.00 |
|
Part 3 Exam Fee |
$345.00 |
|
Total |
$2,264.00 |
*For Non-IIA Member Professionals in the U.S.
These numbers vary depending on the review system you purchase, your IIA membership type, and which country you test in, but they are a good frame of reference for most CIA candidates. There is also the opportunity cost of the time you must invest in studying to consider, but that’s much more difficult to quantify because it varies so wildly from person to person and depends on the review course you choose. Long term, even if your expenses are on the higher end of the spectrum, the return on your investment will more than make up for the cost.
CIA Exam Resources
Now that you have a budget, you can begin to make a plan. Start by learning all about the CIA exam from our CIA exam guide. It covers the exam syllabus, pass rates, requirements, grading procedures, time management, and more. It even includes tips and tricks to minimize the unquantifiable opportunity cost of preparing for the exam. Access it for free today!
