When should our internal audit activity have an external QA?

It is mandatory that every internal audit activity undergo an external QA conducted by an independent team or independent validator once every five years t. The clock starts ticking for the five-year period when an internal audit activity formally adopts the Global Internal Auditing Standards. 

Adoption of the Standards establishes the intent of the IA activity to comply and as a result, is considered the starting point of the five-year period before an external QA is required. Evidence to examine to support the date of the adoption of the Standards would include audit committee minutes, updates to the audit charter, and use of the phrase "conducted in conformance with the Standards" in audit reports, etc.