Maintaining Your IIA Certification: What You Need to Know

Keeping your IIA certification active requires ongoing professional development. Each year, Certified Internal Auditors and holders of specialty certifications must report Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours to demonstrate that they stay current with the evolving demands of the profession.

Why CPE Matters

Staying certified is not just an administrative step — it shows your commitment to professional growth, ethical conduct, and high-quality internal audit practice. Regular learning helps you remain aligned with new regulations, emerging risks, and industry best practices.

Annual CPE Reporting Requirements

All IIA-certified professionals must:

• Earn the required number of CPE hours each year (the number depends on your specific certification).
• Report those hours through your IIA Global account before the annual deadline.
• Ensure that at least a portion of your hours come from ethics-related training (mandatory for several certifications).
• Keep documentation of your completed training, as you may be selected for a quality check.

What Counts as CPE?

A wide range of professional learning activities can be used, including:

• Participation in training courses, webinars, and conferences
• Completing formal education programs
• Publishing articles or delivering presentations
• On-the-job learning that includes a measurable educational component
• Volunteering in internal audit-related roles
  (Requirements may vary depending on the certification.)

CPE hours required for annual certification renewal

This chart only applies to active, practicing certification holders. Information for non-practicing and retired certification holders is available in the Certification renewal policy.

Certification Status & Compliance

Failing to report CPE on time may result in your certification being placed in inactive or expired status. Certified individuals are responsible for tracking and reporting their CPE every year to stay compliant.

Where to Learn More

For detailed hour requirements and official policies, please visit the IIA Global website.

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