FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to sit for the CIA exam?
No. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to take the CIA exam.

Why might someone want to become a CIA?
The CIA certification is globally recognized and might be sought as an additional qualification to enhance one’s credibility, job-opportunities, income, mobility, etc...

Why should an organization have internal auditing?
A cornerstone of strong governance, internal auditing bridges the gap between management and the board, assesses the ethical climate and the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, and serves as an organization’s safety net for compliance with rules, regulations, and overall best business practices.

How do internal and external auditors differ and how should they relate?
Although they are independent of the activities they audit, internal auditors are integral to the organization and provide ongoing monitoring and assessment of all activities. On the contrary, external auditors are independent of the organization, and provide an annual opinion on the financial statements. The work of the internal and external auditors should be coordinated for optimal effectiveness and efficiency.

Do I have to be a university graduate?
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college-level institution.

Are degrees from non-American universities admissible?
Yes. Foreign degrees, even ones that do not follow the American credit system are admissible.

Is the candidate required to take/pass a specific number of parts for each exam?
No, candidates may take/pass one exam part at a time or all exam parts at once. (The IIA has abolished the requirement that candidates take at least two parts in their first exam sitting.)
The only way a candidate will lose credit for any part previously passed is if the candidate does not take a single exam part within any two-year period (five exam cycles).

Is there any required work experience before sitting for the exam?
Candidates may sit for the CIA exam prior to satisfying their experience requirement, but they will not be certified until the experience requirement has been met.

English is not my primary language- will I be able to follow and understand the review course and successfully pass the CIA exam?
For candidates whose primary language is not English, the Powers CIA Review will actually help you improve your English skills and provide a basic knowledge and understanding of technical terminologies.
For more FAQs visit: http://www.theiia.org/certification/why-become-certified/certification-faq/