Standards of Professional
Conduct and Competence

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIAs) must be licensed to work in Canada. To become licensed, they must meet all academic requirements of an accredited program.

Education Standards & Requirements

For RCICs

If you want to become an RCIC, you must meet the academic requirements of an accredited Graduate Diploma Program:

The accredited Graduate Diploma Programs replaced all previous Immigration Practitioner Programs (IPPs) on August 1, 2020. All IPPs will be fully phased out by December 31, 2022.

For RISIAs

If you want to become a RISIA, you must meet the academic requirements of the International Students and Immigration Education Program (ISIEP) delivered by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE).

After Your Education

After meeting your academic requirements, you must complete the College’s licensing process, including passing the Entry-to-Practice Exam (EPE).  As a new RCIC, you must also complete the College’s Practice Management Education (PME) program within your first 12 months of practice.

 

Essential competencies and Code of Professional Conduct for RCICs and RISIAs

The Essential competencies are frameworks that identify and describe the knowledge, skills and judgment RCICs and RISIAs need to represent their clients effectively. These abilities are grouped thematically under specific units.

Essential competencies:

  • Ensure professional standards and protect the public interest
  • Provide a foundation for:
    • Pre-licence education and assessment
    • Specialty training
    • Entry-to-Practice Exams (EPEs)
    • Accreditation requirements
    • Practice Management Education Program (PME)
    • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program
    • Mentoring Program (when available)
    • Quality Management Program (when available)
  • Support education programs by informing curricula
  • Inform the public and other professionals of an RCIC’s or RISIA’s role and responsibilities
  • Guide and direct RCICs and RISIAs in their practices
  • Establish minimum standards for RCICs and RISIAs

The essential competencies and the Code of Professional Conduct (the Code) set out RCICs’ and RISIAs’ professional and ethical obligations. For RISIAs, the Code supplements any conduct requirements put in place by an employer.

RCICs and RISIAs who fail to meet these standards will be subject to the College’s complaints processes.

RCICs and RISIAs must maintain their competence and currency in the immigration field throughout their careers. The maintenance and enhancement of licensees’ professional knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgment through their career is an essential component of the commitment they make to the public to practise competently and ethically.

As part of this process, all licensees must participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Each year, RCICs must complete 16 hours and RISIAs must complete 6 hours of CPD by participating in College-approved activities.

Licensees must report their completed CPD activities to the College for verification. Failing to meet this requirement may result in a fine or a licence suspension.