General Info
The Specialization Exam will assess your knowledge of—and your ability to apply—specific immigration legislation, regulations, procedures, and professional ethics and responsibilities.
The Specialization Exam takes into account the new Essential Competencies as the College transitioned in 2020 from knowledge-based to competency-based education and assessment. Accordingly, the College’s Specialization Exam aligns with the new competency framework. The competencies tested on the exam are those required for practice before the IRB that have the most direct impact on the protection of the public and influence on effective and ethical practice.
Exam Format
- offered electronically online
- closed-book exam consisting of 190 questions (95 independent multiple-choice questions and 95 case-based multiple-choice questions) to be completed within a 4-hour time limit.
Number of attempts
- You may attempt the exam a maximum of 4 times. After that point, you may need to meet further requirements before you are allowed to retake the exam.
Assessment Accommodations
Exam Dates/Deadlines
All times stated on the website are in Eastern Time (ET).
Exam Fee
- Submit your application through SMApply.
- Pay your $450 Exam fee invoice (the fee is subject to applicable Canadian taxes).
Important information
- Payment is to be made by credit card.
- The exam fee is due within 72 hours of being invoiced.
- If you do not pay your fee in a timely manner, your exam application will be declined for non-payment.
- If you have been approved and have paid the exam fee, you are expected to write the exam. If you do not appear at the scheduled exam date:
- A compassionate waiver may be granted for documented outstanding circumstances (death in the family, sudden medical condition, etc.). Compassionate waivers can be requested by emailing registration@college-ic.ca within 5 business days of the exam.
- If you do not qualify for a compassionate waiver, you will need to reapply for the exam and pay again the exam fee.
Exam Results Dates
Exam Date
|
Approximate release of results
|
| May 6, 2022 |
June 24, 2022 |
| June 8, 2022 |
July 27, 2022 |
| July 27, 2022 |
September 14, 2022 |
| August 17, 2022 |
October 5, 2022 |
| September 14, 2022 |
November 2, 2022 |
| November 2, 2022 |
December 21, 2022 |
| December 14, 2022 |
February 1, 2023 |
| January 25, 2023 |
March 15, 2023 |
| April 12, 2023 |
May 31, 2023 |
| May 10, 2023 (updated) |
June 28, 2023 (updated) |
| June 14, 2023 |
August 2, 2023 |
| August 16, 2023 |
October 11, 2023 |
| January 10, 2024 |
February 28, 2024 |
| June 12, 2024 |
July 31, 2024 |
| December 18, 2024 |
February 5, 2025 |
Apply to write the Exam
Do not apply to write the Specialization Exam until you have completed the Specialization Program.
To apply to write the Specialization Exam, complete our Form.
The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, any external exam preparatory courses or programs.