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CIA Challenge Exam


FAST TRACK YOUR CIA WITH THE ONE-PART CHALLENGE EXAM
 


If you are an active CPA, CA, or CISA holder, you can now earn the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation through an expedited process. Instead of the usual three-part CIA exams, the CIA Challenge Exam requires you to pass only one exam. This single exam covers topics not tested in your CPA, CA, or CISA exams, saving you significant time and effort. This streamlined pathway recognises your existing knowledge and allows you to complete your CIA certification within three years from acceptance. With fewer exams to take, you can focus on what matters most — advancing your internal audit career.


Join over 200,000 CIAs worldwide who have achieved this highly respected global certification.

 

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 

Only holders of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation are eligible to apply for this pathway. Students are not eligible to apply. 

 

Qualified CPA and CA Holders

For candidates applying under the Qualified Accounting Bodies: Applicants must contact their respective accounting body to obtain a letter of good standing prior to submitting their application.



Candidate must be an active CPA or CA from one of the following accounting bodies: 

  • CPA license from any US State Board

  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

  • Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)

  • Chartered Accountants Ireland

  • Chartered Professional Accountants Canada (CPA Canada)

  • CPA Australia

  • Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA)

  • Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA Ireland)

  • Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK)

  • Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

  • Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG)

  • Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)

  • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)

  • Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU)

  • Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

  • Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)

  • Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)

  • Registro Oficial de Auditores de Cuentas (ROAC)

  • Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA)

  • South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)

  • State of Israel Ministry of Justice-Board of Accountants

 

 

Qualified Information Systems Auditors

For candidates applying under the Qualified Information Systems Auditors: Applicants are required to obtain proof of good standing from the public registry prior to submitting an application. 



Candidate must be an active CISA holder. 

CISA is a trademark of ISACA. 

 

PROGRAMME TIMELINE


Candidates have three years from the date of acceptance into the programme to complete the one-part exam and meet the exit requirements.

 

CIA Challenge Exam Application Window: 1 April to 30 September annually 
CIA Challenge Exam Test Window: June, August, November, and February 


Once the programme application is approved, candidates have 180 days to register, schedule, and sit for the exam. Exams are only available during the test windows listed above. 


The exam fees for the first sitting are included in the CIA Challenge Exam bundle. Candidates who need to retake the exam must pay additional fees.

 

 

EXAM FEES 

 

DESCRIPTION   Member
(US$)		   Non-Member
(US$)
CIA Challenge Exam Bundle *   1,255   1,625
Exam Retake Fees (only if applicable)   845   995

The fees indicated exclude GST. Singapore’s prevailing GST is payable by individuals. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

 

* The CIA Challenge Exam bundle includes: 

  • CIA Challenge Exam application fee.
  • CIA Challenge Exam registration fee for the first exam sitting.
  • CIA Challenge Exam Study Guide for Qualified CPAs/CAs and Qualified Information Systems Auditors (CISA) and 1,000 practice questions included in the customised study material.
  • Access to the online materials is valid for 12 months from date of invitation. 

 

 

EXAM FORMAT 
 

The CIA Challenge Exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam. 

 

UPDATE COMING TO THE CIA CHALLENGE EXAM SYLLABUS IN 2026


The CIA Challenge Exam syllabus will be updated to align with The IIA’s new Global Internal Audit Standards in 2026. During the 2025 programme cycle, The IIA will conduct a comprehensive study to ensure the syllabus reflects the latest standards and best practices in internal auditing. The exact dates of the updated exam's release will be communicated in the coming months. 

 

ACCESS TO YOUR CHALLENGE EXAM STUDY MATERIALS

 

  1. Approved candidates will receive an email invitation to access the online Challenge Exam Study Guide within seven business days. The email will be sent from The IIA's Distribution Center with the subject line: “Action Required - Your IIA Online Access”. Candidates must activate their online access separately.

  2. If the email is not received, please check your inbox and spam or junk folders before contacting The IIA Customer Care.

  3. The Challenge Exam Study Guide is valid for 12 months from the date of the email invitation.

 

For any questions or clarifications, please contact Customer Care. 

 

USEFUL RESOURCES

 

 

COMPUTER-BASED TESTING 
 

The CIA exam is available through computer-based testing, allowing you to schedule exams throughout the year at more than 500 locations worldwide. You can sit for exams at any IIA-authorised PearsonVUE testing centre worldwide, regardless of whether the testing centre is located in your hometown or country. To locate the testing centres closest to you, visit the PearsonVUE website.
 

In Singapore, the IIA-authorised PearsonVUE testing centres are located at:
 

NTUC LEARNINGHUB PTE LTD   PEARSON PROFESSIONAL CENTERS   RELC EXAMINATIONS BUREAU
NTUC Trade Union House
73 Bras Basah Road
Level 3, Room 3J
Singapore 189556		   51 Cuppage Road
#05-02/03/04
Singapore 229469		   30 Orange Grove Road
Level 8
RELC Building
Singapore 258352

 

Starting 28 May 2025, all exams will be available only at test centres to enhance exam security and ensure a consistent testing experience for all candidates worldwide. Click here to view the FAQs on this transition.

 

APPLYING FOR YOUR CIA CHALLENGE EXAM PROGRAMME


STEPS TO APPLY:

1. Prepare the required documents and information.

2. Log in to the Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS).

  • First-time users who are IIA Singapore members: Please click RESET under Forgot your password? to activate your account.

    i. Ensure your name in CCMS matches your photo identification document (NRIC/FIN or Passport).

    ii. Use the same email address registered with your IIA Singapore membership.

  • First-time users who are non-members: Please click CREATE ACCOUNT under Don’t have an account yet? to create a new account. 

  • Existing CCMS users: Please proceed to register for a new programme (see Step 4) or schedule an exam (see Step 7). 

3. For IIA Singapore members: Please check that your membership status is correctly displayed in your profile before proceeding to the next step.

4. On the CCMS Home page, select APPLY FOR NEW CERTIFICATIONS. Click on Apply for Certified Internal Auditor, followed by CIA Challenge Program for Qualified Chartered Accountants and Certified Public Accountants (for CAs/CPAs) or CIA Challenge Program for Qualified Information Systems Auditors (for CISAs). Complete the required information and declaration, upload your Letter of Good Standing and Proof of Identification, and declare if special accommodations are required. This step must be completed within 90 days of application. Click SUBMIT.

5. Pay for the application fee by credit card or PayPal on CCMS. Credit card and PayPal are the only modes of payment for IIA Singapore members. 

6. After document approval by the Certification Team, you will receive an email from IIA Global confirming your application. You can then register for the exam.

7. Complete the payment for the exam registration fee on CCMS. Your exam status will update to Registered. The system will also allow you to schedule and sit for the exam within one of these test delivery windows that fall within your authorised exam window. There is no provision for programme or exam extension for Challenge Exam. You must complete the exam within the 180-day period granted.

 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

All new candidates must submit the following:

  • Proof of Identification – NRIC, FIN or Passport.

  • Letter of Good Standing – To obtain from a qualified accounting body (for CPAs/CAs) or public registry (for CISAs).

 

For questions or clarifications, please contact the Certification Team for assistance.