Chartered Status is the gold standard credential for Company Secretaries and Governance Professionals
In today’s complex business environment, organizations need governance and risk leaders with proven expertise. Chartered Governance Professionals set the standard, demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and judgment required for roles with significant responsibility.
Earning Chartered status requires completing the International Qualifying Program, gaining practical experience, and upholding the highest standards of professional conduct.
Chartered status is recognized worldwide. Completing the IQP opens doors to diverse governance career opportunities in more than 80 countries.
About the International Qualifying Program
The International Qualifying Program (IQP) is a comprehensive professional qualification that equips corporate secretaries and governance professionals with the skills and confidence to excel in a wide range of leadership roles.
The program consists of seven subjects across two levels. Each subject requires approximately 200 hours of self‑study and is assessed through a three‑hour examination, ensuring rigorous and meaningful mastery of core governance competencies.
IQP Level One
The IQP Level One is set at the standard of the final year of an undergraduate degree.
This level consists of four modules.
View Modules
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
This module aims to provide the advanced knowledge and key skills necessary for the corporate secretary or governance professional to act as chief adviser to the board and other stakeholders on best practices in corporate governance, and as the facilitator for systematic application across a wide range of organizations.
COMPANY COMPLIANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
The aim of this module is for candidates to develop their knowledge and skills to prepare for practice as a corporate secretary, ensuring that the company operates per good governance principles and the regulations of the jurisdiction in which it operates.
CORPORATE LAW
This module aims to provide a thorough grounding in, and knowledge and understanding of, the legal framework governing certain business organizations, with a particular focus on the registered company. Where appropriate, the module will also cover relevant corporate governance topics, and the relationship between company law and corporate governance.
INTERPRETING FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING INFORMATION
This module aims to develop the candidate’s knowledge of finance and accounting and the ability to use that knowledge to interpret financial and accounting information when providing advice to the board, or a similar decision-making body, in strategy development and/or decision-making.
IQP Level Two
The IQP Level Two is set at the standard of a master’s program.
This level consists of three modules.
View Modules
DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY
As the pace and volume of change in the environment affecting organizations in all sectors increases, corporate secretaries and governance professionals must seek to understand what is happening and play their part in determining the organization’s response. All organizations are faced with the challenge of strategic direction either to grasp new opportunities or to overcome significant problems. This module aims to provide the elements, processes, and techniques involved in the development and implementation of organizational strategy.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The aim of this module is for students to develop and extend their understanding of the discipline of risk management, including how risk management links to compliance management and complements effective corporate governance in organizations.
BOARDROOM DYNAMICS
This module aims to provide the advanced knowledge, understanding, and skills needed for the corporate secretary and governance professional to support boardroom performance by enabling both effective individual behaviors and group processes.
Exams are held twice a year — in June and November — and are designed to reflect the real‑world scenarios and complex issues faced by corporate secretaries and governance professionals. Each module is examined on a fixed date, and exam dates cannot be changed.
For more information about the IQP, please contact our education team.
VIEW UPCOMING IQP Exam datesRoutes of Entry
Depending on their academic or professional background, candidates may be eligible for some module exemptions. Our most common routes to entry are shown below.
Candidates interested in pursuing the IQP must meet the following minimum educational criteria:
- A degree in Business Studies or Business Management; or,
- A degree in an ‘unrelated’ field (anything other than law, finance or business) and five years’ or more experience in a company secretarial or governance professional related role.
Most Candidates will start at IQP LEVEL ONE with no module exemptions.
>>> Those with a Law Degree and/or a Finance Degree and those holding an MBA may qualify under the Related Degree Entry.
Candidates who hold certain degrees may be exempt from certain modules:
- Candidates with a Law Degree may be exempt from the Corporate Law module.
- Candidates with a Finance Degree may be exempt from the Interpreting Financial and Accounting Information module.
- Candidates holding an MBA will be assessed for exemptions based on their field of study.
>>> Lawyers and Accountants may qualify under the Professional Entry (less than five years experience) or the Fast Track Entry (five years experience or more).
Professionals working in law or finance for less than five years who hold membership in a relevant professional body may be eligible for module exemptions:
- Lawyers may be exempt from the Corporate Law and Development of Strategy modules.
- Accountants may be exempt from the Interpreting Financial and Accounting Information and Development of Strategy modules.
>>> Lawyers and Accountants with at least five years of experience may qualify under the Fast Track Entry.
Accountants or Lawyers with at least five years of experience who hold membership in a relevant professional body may be eligible for the Fast Track program:
Fast Track Professionals only need to complete two modules, Corporate Governance and Risk Management.
ICSI members can study the qualifying program and are only required to complete three modules – Corporate Governance, Corporate Law, and Risk Management.
To confirm your route of entry, please contact our education team
Your Investment
Undertaking the CGI qualifying program is a significant commitment, and it’s important to consider how it fits with your lifestyle and career goals.
Time: Each module requires a substantial investment – up to 200 hours of study – and the level of work is comparable to postgraduate study. The full program may take up to six years to complete, depending on your chosen route.
Cost: Program costs vary based on your confirmed entry route, ranging from approximately $2,175 for Fast Track candidates to $7,000 for Regular candidates, depending on the time taken to complete the program. Final costs are confirmed by our education team during registration.
When registering for the IQP, candidates pay a one‑time administration fee, any applicable exemption fees, and the module fee for their first exam. Module fees for subsequent exams are due 60 days before the exam date. A full fee breakdown is provided below.
Other Considerations:
- Study materials are included in the program fees.
- All study materials and examinations are delivered in English.
- Exams are delivered and invigilated/proctored online.
- Candidates may take a maximum of two exams per exam season (four per year).
- Additional fees apply for exam deferrals or re-sits.
- Failure to appear for an exam results in the loss of the module fee.
- Special accommodations are available for candidates who require them.
- Annual professional development hours are required to maintain certification.
- Continuous annual membership is required both during the program and to maintain certification.
- Membership fees are not included in the program costs shown below.
IQP Application fees
APPLICATION FEES (CAD):
The cost to apply to the IQP depends on your academic or professional background:
MODULE FEES (CAD):
Module fees are $800.00 per module
ADDITIONAL FEES (CAD):
Exam deferral fee: $200.00
Exam resit fee: $250.00
Please Note:
Annual membership fees are also required.
Pricing may change without notice.
Pricing subject to applicable taxes.
Path to Certification
Most candidates complete the IQP within two to six years, depending on their exemptions. Graduates with the required experience may then apply for Chartered status as an Associate or Fellow, advancing to the highest levels of the profession.
Learn more about Chartered membership >
CANDIDATE
Those studying the IQP.
GRADUATE
Those who have completed the full IQP program and are working towards the experience required for Chartered membership.
ASSOCIATE
The first level of Chartered membership, for those who have achieved Graduate status and have requisite relevant work experience. Associate members use the professional designation of Chartered Secretary or Chartered Governance Professional.
FELLOW
The highest level of Chartered membership, for those who have achieved associate status and have the requisite relevant senior work experience. Fellow members use the professional designation of Chartered Secretary or Chartered Governance Professional.
Transferability of Membership
Candidates may transfer from one Division to another between courses, but not during a course. All Divisions recognize one another’s courses as equivalent, so a candidate who has completed courses in Canada does not need to re‑take them after transferring to another Division.
Learn more about transferring your Chartered membership >
International Standard
CGIC must meet the international standard that governs educational programs and member admission requirements across all Divisions. Adherence to this standard is overseen by the Professional Standards Committee (PSC), a committee of the CGI Global Council.
Learn more about the CGI Global Council >
IQP Exam Policies
The IQP exams are governed by a set of internal policies designed to ensure fairness and consistency throughout the examination process. Candidates are encouraged to review these policies before writing each IQP exam.
Do I qualify for any exemptions?
CONTACT OUR EDUCATION TEAM