Existing Approved Persons

To enrol in an exam, pay or schedule an exam or to complete Conduct Training, visit the Exam Hub.

I’m an Approved Person with an Investment Dealer. What does this mean for me?

The new proficiency rules are effective from January 1, 2026.

If you were an existing Approved Person on December 31, 2025, you can continue in your current role without completing the new exams. Please refer to our guidance on Exemptions, Recognition, Transition and Validity Provisions for more information.

Existing Approved Persons, as of January 1, 2026, must complete new, mandatory Conduct Training by December 31, 2026. You can enrol in the Conduct Training through the enrolment portal and complete it through the candidate portal.

Please speak to your dealer about their policies and procedures for reporting completion to them, and if they have signed up for the firm portal to enrol you directly.

We have published Webcasts that cover key topics from exemptions and transition provisions to Guidance on Firm Training are available here for CE credit.

Where do I take the Conduct Training?

Approved Persons would enrol in the Conduct Training through the Enrolment Portal and access it through the Candidate Portal. Dealers may choose to use our Firm Portal to allow them to have direct visibility into the activity of their Approved Persons.

Conduct Training is an online course that you can complete virtually from any location, and at a time that is convenient for you.

What happens once I have completed Conduct Training?

Once Conduct Training is successfully completed, Approved Persons will be issued a completion confirmation, that they need to share with their dealer in order to report their completion on NRD and on CIRO Services.

Failure to complete, and report on the completion of the Conduct Training, by the above prescribed deadlines, will result in an automatic suspension.

If you have questions about your due date, reporting or the process, please contact your dealer.

Can I use the Conduct Training towards my Continuing Education hours?

As part of the current Continuing Education requirements, Approved Persons will be subject to one to three hours of mandatory Continuing Education per year as determined by CIRO. For the first year of the new model (2026) the Conduct Training will satisfy this requirement and will account for three hours of compliance credits. Dealers will need to report its completion for Mandated Annual CE purposes on CIRO Services-CE, in addition to reporting on NRD for post approval purposes within the prescribed timelines.

What are the fees for Conduct Training?

There are no fees for Conduct Training.

How can I prepare for an exam?

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 Guide for Studying for anyone who wishes to self-study, available through the relevant exam pages on the Exam Hub.

How do I enrol in an exam?

To enrol in an exam, new candidates can sign up through the Enrolment Portal. Through the Enrolment 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 Candidate 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, Approved Persons will be issued a completion confirmation, that they need to share with their dealer in order to report their completion on NRD and on CIRO Services.

What are the fees for exams?

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 Enrolment 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.

Already enroled in a CSI Course?

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.

You may be exempted from some of the new requirements, if you satisfy the proficiency requirements in effect prior to January 1, 2026 and meet all the conditions in 2629(1). In summary, 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 direction and if you have any questions, please contact your dealer, and consult the Guidance on the new CIRO Proficiency Model for Approved Persons of Investment Dealers – Exemptions, Recognition, Transition and Validity Provisions.

Will CIRO have a list of recognized or accredited course providers for its exams?

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.

Will CIRO publish the minimum passing grade?

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.

How will I know when my application for registration approval has been approved by CIRO? What post-approval requirements must I complete?

Your dealer is responsible for notifying you when your application has been approved by CIRO. They will also notify you of any applicable post-approval requirement(s) and the due date(s) for completion. It is important that you notify your dealer once you have completed your post-approval requirements as they will need to report your completion(s) to CIRO. Failure to complete your post-approval requirements by their prescribed due date will result in suspension of your approval per section 2552 of the IDPC Rules.

Contact your dealer if you have any questions about their policies and procedures to ensure timely completion and reporting of your post-approval requirements.

What changes have been made to the Continuing Education requirements?

The CE cycle of two years remains the same. The new IDPC rules introduce a new annual CE mandated by CIRO for CE participants. In 2026, the completion of Conduct Training in 2026 will satisfy the annual mandatory CE for 2026 and will account for three hours of compliance credits. Dealers will need to report its completion for Mandated Annual CE purposes on CIRO Services-CE, in addition to reporting on NRD for post approval purposes within the prescribed timelines.

Please review the new CE rules within new IDPC 2700 (PDF).

Will exams be available online and in person?

Yes. Test Centre locations are available across Canada. Individuals can schedule an appointment as it fits them. To access the enrollment and candidate portals, please visit the Exam Hub.

What happens if considering 2629(1) I want to use the courses that are currently applicable for trading in options, or trading in futures contracts, after January 1, 2026?

Under the new model, there will only be one derivatives product category.

Those that are currently qualified to trade in both options and futures, will be mapped over to the new derivatives category.

Under the new model, applying for one of options or futures will not be available as those will be legacy categories. An individual who satisfies the requirements of both options and futures trading, dealing or supervising, and satisfies the 2629(1) conditions can apply to the new derivatives category.

To be clear, 2629(1) does not provide an exemption from the new categories; the options only or futures only categories will not be available as of January 1, 2026 irrespective of the 2629(1) transition provision that is with respect to courses.