IIA to Reposition Specialty Certifications, Offer Special CIA Challenge Exam

LAKE MARY, Fla. (Aug. 13, 2018) — Focusing on internal audit’s core certification – the globally recognized Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) – while reinforcing support for specialized areas of practice, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) announced today that it will reposition its Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA), and Certification in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA) programs. The IIA also will offer a “challenge exam” for those who currently hold CGAP, CFSA and CCSA certifications and wish to obtain the premier CIA credential.

CGAP is geared to internal auditors in the public sector, while CFSA is aimed at practitioners in the financial services industry. Both programs will be transitioned to assessment-based certificates. At the same time, with internal control becoming an integral part of risk management, the CCSA program will be integrated into the Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) through the next CRMA exam update.

The CGAP, CFSA and CCSA certifications will remain valid and continue to be recognized by The IIA. These certification holders may continue to use the designations by earning and reporting the required continuing professional education (CPE) hours annually. The last day The IIA will accept new CCSA, CGAP and CFSA certification applications is Dec. 31, 2018.

“The CIA is the gold standard in internal auditing, conveying credibility and competence in relevant skills and knowledge that all internal auditors should have in helping organizations improve and meet their objectives,” said IIA President and CEO Richard F. Chambers, CIA, QIAL, CGAP, CCSA, CRMA. “Practitioners also must master specialized competencies within specific industries and lines of business, and be able to tackle a dizzying array of emerging risks. Assessment-based certificates will be an effective way to obtain the necessary education and training.”

More than 150,000 CIAs have been awarded worldwide. The new CIA Challenge Exam will be tailored to those who currently hold CGAP, CFSA and CCSA certifications. The three-hour, 150-question CIA Challenge Exam will fill gaps between the CGAP, CFSA and CCSA certification exams and the CIA exam syllabus, with an emphasis on the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF). Individuals may register to take the Challenge Exam from April 1, 2019 through Dec. 15, 2020. The exam will be administered from July 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2020. It will be available initially in English, then offered additionally in Chinese Traditional, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish in 2020.

The IIA is committed to providing a clearly defined suite of global certifications that support internal auditors as they progress through their careers. To achieve this, The IIA reviewed the current suite of eight certification and qualification programs, starting with certain specialty certifications, which led to the repositioning.

For more information about the change and the CIA Challenge Exam, please visit the specialty certification transition page.