Contribute to the Profession by Becoming an IIA Certification Exam Item Writer
Become an IIA Exam Author
The IIA relies on credentialed internal audit professionals to provide a constant renewal of high-quality items that are integrated into our certification exams. Certificants from around the globe are encouraged to share their expertise on a monthly basis, submitting timely and relevant items on specific topics.
If you are CIA certified or hold an IIA specialty designation, we invite you to become an exam writer. Authors must be current in the profession and hold the related IIA designation for the item topics they are submitting. As a new exam author, The IIA requests a commitment to submit a minimum of 15 items during the course of the year.
What Does it Mean to Be an Author?
You will join a global team of writers who are subject matter experts in the field of internal audit and will increase your professional knowledge and create networking opportunities. Your contributions help guide the development of new material and changes in our certifications to reflect the current state of our profession.
Watch this AuditChannel video from Exam Development Committee Chairperson Glenn Ho — Where Do Exam Questions Come From?
Interested in Becoming an IIA Exam Writer?
If you would like to become an IIA exam writer, please fill out the application below. You will be contacted by one of our exam development staff members within 3-5 business days.
Interested writers will be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement. The agreement also includes copyright infringement, and confidentiality of the items written. Please note that exam writers cannot teach review courses or be a review provider.
For any additional questions regarding item writing or becoming an IIA exam author, please contact examwriter@theiia.org.
Chapter Opportunities
Chapters may earn CAP points by setting up a Test Development Team (TDT) to develop questions on a monthly or quarterly basis.
Learn more about starting a Test Development Team.
Item Writing Process
Item Writing Sessions are conducted monthly. Authors receive an e-mail at the beginning of each month focused on specific areas of the CIA and CRMA exams. Authors may choose whether or not to participate depending on topics of interest and expertise.
Authors have 30 days from the time of the invitation to write items related to the requested topics.
Submitted items must follow the Item Writers Guide, be reviewed against the checklist, and be submitted in the required template.
**These tools and more are available upon acceptance into the program after signing a non-disclosure agreement.
The IIA performs a multi-step review of all submitted items to ensure they meet the requirements listed above. Notification on accepted and declined items will be given via e-mail no later than 90 days after submittal.
Upon acceptance, the following options are available:
In lieu of payment, authors may choose to receive one hour of CPE per accepted question. Item writing is included under the Publications category for CPE in Administrative Directive No. 4:
Administrative Directive No. 4
If payment is selected, The IIA pays contracted authors US $75 per accepted item at a proficiency level and US $25 per awareness-level item accepted by the EDC.
Authors who have two accepted items at the proficiency level may choose to receive a set of the following three reference books (including shipping):
- Internal Auditing: Assurance & Consulting Services 2nd Edition, Kurt F. Reding, Paul J. Sobel, Urton L. Anderson, Michael J. Head, Sridhar Ramamoorti, Mark Salamasick, Cris Riddle, 2009, The Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation (retail value US $135)
- Sawyer’s Internal Auditing, 6th Edition, L.B. Sawyer, et al, 2012 (retail value US $225)
- International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) (retail value US $50)
Training
Whether you are a new or seasoned author, there are training videos available to help you write exam questions. Access to the Authors Only web page is given upon receiving the signed author agreement.
Questions?
Please e-mail questions about the exam writing process to examwriter@theiia.org.
Exam Question Writer's Application Form
Submit the application form below or fax a printed copy to +1-407-937-1313. You will be contacted by e-mail when item writing sessions become available.