New Candidates
More information on the portals will be available before January 1, 2026.
Portals - Coming Soon
CIRO’s new proficiency model for Approved Persons of Investment Dealers is designed to ensure high proficiency standards which in turn promote stronger investor protection and healthier capital markets in Canada.
The new proficiency model does not mandate preparatory courses to study for exams which is intended to provide candidates with the flexibility in how to prepare for an exam. To learn more about each CIRO exam, visit the Exam Hub.
If you intend to work at a CIRO Investment Dealer firm, you will need to seek approval.
The proficiency requirements include completion of the CIRO exam, and in some cases education or experience in addition to dealer training. All CIRO Investment Dealer Approved Persons will also be subject to Conduct Training following approval. There are also firm training requirements. Please refer to the Rules for more information on the required proficiencies for Approved Persons.
In order to apply to be a CIRO Approved Person, an individual must be sponsored by a CIRO Investment Dealer. Dealers conduct their own due diligence screening on applicants and applications submitted will be reviewed by CIRO.
Please speak to your dealer and visit the Becoming a Registered Individual at an Investment Dealer page for more information.
The new proficiency model does not require preparatory courses although you can look for education providers who may be offering relevant education, courses or other resources to help you prepare. We do not provide a list.
For each exam category, we have published a syllabus, practice exam, and a Guide for Study for anyone who wishes to self-study, available through the relevant exam pages on the Exam Hub.
To enroll in an exam, new candidates can sign up through the Enrollment Portal which will be available in January 2026. Through the portal, candidates can select an exam category and pay for their exam. From there, they’ll be able to use the Candidate portal to schedule exams. The portal also gives candidates access to their results, downloadable transcripts, access to Conduct Training, and access to a support team for technical and operational assistance. Once the exam is successfully completed, registrants will be issued a confirmation, to report their completion on NRD and on CIRO Services.
The Candidate Portal will be available in January 2026.
More information on the online Candidate Portal will be available in advance of January 2026.
One of the benefits of the new proficiency model is that it has reduced the cost of examination and removed some barriers to entry. More information on fees is available at this link.
Fees can be paid by Candidates through the Enrollment portal. Dealers may choose to have Firm Portal access to allow them access, to pay the fees as well as have access to other candidate information.
The fee for the first exam attempt in an enrollment period is $475. The enrollment period begins when an individual pays the exam fee and continues to a maximum of 12 months, during which time the individual may complete up to three exam attempts for the exam, Subject to a retake fee of $300 for each second and third attempt.
There will be a cooling off period of 6 months, associated with those that attempt and fail an exam three times in a 6-month period.
If you are in the midst of completing a CSI course, there are conditions under which you would be able to have the course recognized.
Under certain conditions, you may be exempted from some of the new requirements, if you satisfy the proficiency requirements in effect prior to January 1, 2026. The conditions are:
- The individual enrolls in a course(s) offered by the CSI prescribed under the rules prior to January 1, 2026,
- The individual successfully completes the course(s) and its exam(s) prior to January 1, 2027,
- The individual would satisfy the proficiency requirements applicable to the same Approved Person category being sought prior to January 1, 2026, upon completion of the course(s) and exam(s), and
- The sponsoring dealer submits an application for approval for the individual, prior to January 1, 2027.
For more information, please speak to your dealer, and consult the Guidance on the new CIRO Proficiency Model for Approved Persons of Investment Dealers – Exemptions, Recognition, Transition and Validity Provisions.
No. At this time, as the market of education providers are developing, we are not publishing, accrediting, recognizing or otherwise providing a list of any education providers. We are however, committed to fostering a healthy market of education providers. We encourage you to conduct your own search and talk to your dealer as to the best approach, and provider if you choose to go with a provider, for you.
No. Passing grades exist to ensure the minimally competent candidate can achieve a pass on the exam. Often, candidates misunderstand that a passing grade means they have to only do that particular percentage of the exam materials. Furthermore, there are different versions of each exam, each with its own passing grade. As such, publishing one passing grade will be misleading.
Upon completion of an exam, individuals will receive a pass or fail mark.
Yes. Test locations will be available across Canada. Individuals can schedule an appointment as it fits them. More information about the portals and scheduling will be available for the launch date.
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