Specialization Exam

 

The Specialization Exam tests Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) candidates on their knowledge, skills and judgment to practise before the IRB safely and ethically in the public interest.

Passing the exam demonstrates your competence to represent clients before the IRB.

If you want to apply for a RCIC-IRB class of licence, you must pass this exam first.

The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, any external exam preparatory courses or programs.

 

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).

  Specialization Exam Date  
  Apply and pay (and submit the
  Assessment Accommodation
Request Verification Form,

  if required) by: 
 June 12, 2024  May 23, 2024
 December 18, 2024  November 28, 2024
 April 9, 2025  March 20, 2025

Exam Fee


  1. Submit your application through SMApply.
  2. 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 
 April 9, 2025  May 28, 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.

For more information about what you need to know for the Specialization Exam, read the SPECIALIZATION EXAM CANDIDATE GUIDE.

The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, any external exam preparatory courses or programs.