Pass the CIA Challenge Exam now and fast-track your CIA

Are you already a CPA, CA, or CISA—but not yet a Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®)? Earning the CIA designation can feel like a long road when you picture three exam parts to take and months of study time. Good news: you don’t have to take that road. The Institute of Internal Auditors® (IIA®) created the one-part CIA Challenge Exam specifically for qualified professionals like you, giving you a faster and easier way to earn your CIA.

But you’ll need to act soon—The IIA will replace the current exam syllabus with a brand new version aligned to the latest Global Internal Audit Standards™ on June 1, 2026.

Only three testing windows are left—August 2025, November 2025, and February 2026—before the change takes effect. Apply by September 30 to avoid the uncertainty that comes with taking a new exam.

This guide explains why the Challenge Exam is the quickest path to your CIA, what deadlines you need to meet, how the exam will change, and why you should get started now.

1. One exam, not three. The standard CIA exam requires you to study for and take three parts separately. The Challenge Exam condenses the material into a single session of 150 multiple-choice questions over three hours. You’ll only be tested on the CIA material that wasn’t already covered on your CPA, CA, or CISA exam.  
2. Less study time. CPAs, CAs, and CISAs have proven they can pass rigorous professional exams. You’re most likely already familiar with a lot of the content so you won’t need to spend as much time studying.
3. Immediate ROI. In as little as three to six months, you can add “CIA” after your name, opening doors to senior audit roles, leadership tracks, and global assignments.

Need more details on who’s eligible and what’s tested on the exam? Read our guide to learn everything you need to know about the CIA Challenge Exam.

The IIA has not released the new CIA Challenge Exam syllabus yet, but they have announced that they will update the exam to test the latest Global Internal Audit Standards, similar to the recent changes to the three-part CIA exam.

The Challenge Exam is currently aligned with the 2017 International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. The Global Internal Audit Standards introduce new focus areas—organizational resilience, sustainability, and data-analytics governance—that may add breadth to the exam.

Eligible CPAs, CAs, and CISA holders are in a unique position to take this expedited path and start reaping the CIA career benefits almost immediately.  

• Accelerated promotions: CIAs qualify faster for senior audit and risk roles. 
• Salary premium: CIAs can earn around 48% more than non-certified peers. 
• Global mobility: The CIA is recognized in more than 170 countries. 
• Stress-free transition: Pass now and focus on applying new standards in practice instead of worrying about passing a brand new exam.

The CIA Challenge Exam is your express lane to the internal-audit profession’s gold-standard credential. In around 6 months, you could hold both your existing CPA/CA/CISA and the CIA. Wait too long, and you’ll face a completely new exam with no historical data, unfamiliar content, and higher stress.

Apply before September 30, 2025, schedule your exam, and let us guide you to a passing score with our CIA Challenge Exam review course. It has everything you need to pass on your first try, including thousands of multiple-choice practice questions, SmartAdapt™ adaptive course platform, comprehensive coverage of exam content, and more!