The Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®) exam costs around $1,280 to $1,515 depending on whether you’re a member of The Institute of Internal Auditors® (IIA®) or not. 

The total cost may still vary depending on the review course you purchase, your IIA membership type, and which country you test in, but this table is a good frame of reference for most CIA candidates.

Hard costs are important, but it’s also worth considering the opportunity cost of the time you must invest in studying. Long-term, even if your expenses and time spent studying are on the higher end of the spectrum, the return on your investment will more than make up for the cost.

Keep reading to get our breakdown of each of the CIA exam fees and ways you can save money while you prepare for the exam. 

Although IIA membership isn’t mandatory to take the CIA exam, it is recommended for its many benefits, including discounted CIA exam fees.

The most common membership type, the Individual Membership, costs $290, but members save $525 on exam and application fees—meaning the membership more than pays for itself. The IIA offers several membership types with the following fees. Please note that each membership renews annually.

The IIA also provides additional benefits to its members. Learn how IIA membership boosts your career and saves you money on conferences and events throughout the year.

When you’re ready to register for a CIA exam part, log in to the CCMS, fill out the appropriate registration form, and submit your order. The fees for the CIA exam itself vary by part and membership type.

These prices are applicable in the United States, Canada, and many other countries, but they may differ in countries where the exam is administered through agreements with IIA affiliates. Contact your local affiliate Opens in new window to verify that these fees are accurate where you’re located.

In addition to the required CIA fees, there are some other costs associated with earning your CIA that are important to be aware of, including the cost of review materials, travel-related costs to take your exam, and costs to keep your CIA certification active once you earn it.

Passing the CIA exam will require thorough preparation, and the best way to prepare is with a trusted CIA review course. CIA review courses vary in price, but most fall between $800 and $1,300. Each review course will offer different components and study strategies, so be sure to consider your needs and total budget for your CIA exam costs when selecting a review course.

At Gleim, we have over 45 years of experience preparing candidates to pass the CIA exam, and we’re an IIA Authorized Licensee. We also offer a 20% discount to IIA members if your chapter is one of our partners, and all full-time students can save 20% on their CIA review materials through the Gleim Student Discount Program.

If you have to sit for the CIA exam at a distant testing center, then your CIA exam budget should 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 to secure the most convenient date, time, and location for your testing appointment.

The best testing location might not always be the closest testing center. If you have to book a flight to get to a testing center, consider your lodging and meal expenses. Some places that are farther away may be cheaper depending on where you are flying out from and what sort of amenities are offered in the area.

After you pass the CIA exam and earn your certification, you’ll have some remaining annual costs to keep it active. If you’ve chosen to become an IIA member, you’ll need to pay the membership fee annually.

CIAs are also required to complete 40 hours of continuing education each year. These courses usually cost between $8–$12 per hour, but many CPE providers offer discounts when you purchase continuing education hours as part of a CPE package.

Becoming a Certified Internal Auditor can be expensive, but you can do a few things to reduce your total CIA exam costs.