CIRO LICENSING PATHWAYS
CIRO Licensing Pathways
Proficiency model
What changed and why it matters
Effective January 1, 2026, CIRO replaced mandatory preparatory courses with an exam-centric proficiency model. Registration is now based on passing proficiency exams aligned to your role. There are nine exams in total. Most new candidates start with the Canadian Investment Regulatory Exam (CIRE) as the foundational requirement.
To better understand CIRO's new proficiency model, read our news article about it.
Before you register
What you need to know first
- You do not need firm sponsorship to write a CIRO exam, but you must be sponsored by a CIRO Investment Dealer to become an Approved Person.
- Free study materials including syllabi, practice exams, and Guides for Study are available for all nine exams on the CIRO Exam Hub (opens in a new tab).
- No mandatory prep courses are required. You may self-study or use a third-party education provider.
For more on becoming a Registered Individual at an Investment Dealer (opens in a new tab), visit CIRO's website.
Find your path
Which CIRO exam do you need for your role?
Select your role to see your required exams and pathway to approval.
How to register
How to register for a CIRO exam
Step 1
Enroll
Create an account through CIRO's Enrolment Portal (opens in a new tab) and select your exam category. Firm sponsorship is not required to write an exam. You must complete enrolment before you can access the Candidate Portal to schedule your exam.
Step 2
Schedule Your Exam
After enrolling, log into the Candidate Portal (opens in a new tab) to schedule your exam. Choose between writing in person at a Prometric test centre across Canada or online via remote proctoring at a time of your choosing.
Step 3
Pay Your Fees
Fees are paid through the Enrolment Portal (opens in a new tab) at the time of enrolment.
- First attempt: $475 (covers up to 3 attempts within a 12-month enrolment period)
- Retake fee: $300 per second or third attempt
- 6-month cooling-off period applies if all 3 attempts are failed within a 6-month period
- Conduct Training: Free for all Approved Persons
Step 4
Prepare
CIRO publishes a syllabus, practice exam, and Guide for Study for each exam on the Exam Hub (opens in a new tab), available free of charge. Most candidates choose a prep provider to prepare efficiently and go in with certainty.
Business Career College offers CIRE and RSE exam prep on ReadyEngine™, built to give you a live readiness score before you book.
Step 5
Pass and Get Approved
After passing your exam, you will receive a confirmation through the Candidate Portal. Your sponsoring dealer shares this confirmation and submits your application for approval through both NRD (opens in a new tab) and CIRO Services. Once approved, the following post-approval requirements apply:
- Dealer Training must be completed within 90 days of approval and reported on NRD (opens in a new tab)
- Conduct Training must be completed within 30 days of approval. Failure to complete results in automatic suspension. Free of charge.
For firms
Information for investment dealers
Firms play an active role in the registration and approval process for new candidates. Here is what dealers (opens in a new tab) need to know:
- Dealers must conduct their own due diligence on candidates before submitting an application to CIRO
- The optional Firm Portal allows dealers to pay exam fees on behalf of candidates, enrol candidates in bulk, and access exam results and Conduct Training completion records
- Exam completions are reported on NRD as part of the application for approval
- New Approved Persons must complete Conduct Training within 30 days of approval. Dealers must report completion on NRD within 30 days.
- Existing Approved Persons (opens in a new tab) as of January 1, 2026 must complete Conduct Training by December 31, 2026
Exemptions
Already have relevant experience or credentials?
You may be exempt from certain exams if you meet one of the following conditions:
CIRE Exemption:
- Two or more years of prior experience in the same Approved Person category within the last three years
- FINRA registrants (e.g. Series 7 holders) in a similar capacity within the last three years
Derivatives Exam Exemption:
- FINRA/NFA registrants who completed Series 3 and Series 7 within the last three years
- Existing Approved Persons grandfathered into legacy options or futures categories prior to January 1, 2026
CSI Course Recognition:
If you enrolled in a CSI course before January 1, 2026, successfully completed it and its exam before January 1, 2027, and your sponsoring dealer submitted your application before January 1, 2027, your prior coursework may be recognized. Speak with your sponsoring firm to confirm eligibility.
START PREPARING
Know which exam you need.
Now prepare with certainty.
BCC currently offers exam prep for CIRE and RSE on ReadyEngine™. These are the two most common exams for candidates entering retail securities licensing. Try the platform free before committing.
