Chartered Status is the gold standard credential for Company Secretaries and Governance Professionals
Chartered status is the benchmark of excellence for corporate secretaries and governance professionals. It signals that you possess the knowledge, skills, and judgment required to take on roles with significant and wide‑ranging responsibilities. Earning Chartered status requires completing the International Qualifying Program, gaining the necessary practical experience, and upholding the highest standards of professional character throughout your career.
The Chartered Governance Professional qualification is internationally recognized and equips you with a strong governance and compliance perspective. It opens doors to leadership roles across the private, public, and not‑for‑profit sectors – or even to establishing your own practice providing professional services and independent advice.
There are several stages along the path to certification, and continuous membership is essential at every step:- Candidates and Affiliates while completing the program; Graduates while gaining the required practical experience; and Associates and Fellows to maintain their Chartered status.
Membership ensures you remain connected to the global governance community, supported by the policies and standards that guide CGIC’s programs and uphold the integrity of the Chartered designation.
Chartered Membership Criteria
Education
You should hold a degree or professional qualification recognized by The Chartered Governance Institute of Canada. If you are a graduate from a college program, in a related discipline, from a post-secondary institution recognized by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and/or approved by CGIC, you may also qualify for admission.
You must complete the qualifying scheme. Subject exemptions are available and the specific subjects required will depend on our assessment of your previous studies.
It takes, on average, two to six years for a Candidate to graduate from the International Qualifying Program (IQP), depending on any exemptions that may be available to them. Continuous membership is required at the following levels for those enrolled in the program:
Candidate Member
Those studying the IQP.
Affiliate Member
Those who have achieved all four of the IQP Level One modules.
Graduate Member
Those who have completed the full IQP program and are working towards the experience required for Chartered membership. Graduates are entitled to use the post-nominal CG (or GradICSA).
Chartered Membership Criteria
Experience
Graduates with the requisite relevant experience can apply for Chartered status. There are two levels of Chartered membership:
Associate Member
Upon successfully completing the qualifying program, gaining the necessary practical experience, and upholding upstanding character throughout their career, graduates are admitted as members at Associate level, attain Chartered status, and are entitled to use the post-nominal ACG (or ACIS). Election as Associate requires at least six (6) years of relevant experience, which can be reduced to three (3) years if you hold a relevant degree.
Fellow Member
Admission as a Fellow, the highest level of membership, is granted on more extensive practical experience. A Fellow member may include the prestigious FCG (or FCIS) designation after their title. Fellowship election requires a minimum of eight (8) years experience, including at least three (3) years in a position of appropriate responsibility (CGIC assessed).
Transfer of Chartered Membership
New to Canada?
Members on any of the Institute’s registers who relocate to Canada are welcome to transfer their membership to the Canadian Division. The Institute does not permit members to hold registration on more than one Division register at the same time.
If you wish to transfer to the Canadian Division, please request that your current Division send the required documentation directly to the CGIC National Office once you are residing in Canada.
While no additional examinations are required, you may find it helpful to review CGIC’s study guides in Corporate Secretaryship, Corporate Law, and Corporate Governance to familiarize yourself with Canadian frameworks. Contact CGIC’s Education Team for access to these resources.
Leaving Canada?
If you are moving outside Canada, your membership may be transferred to the appropriate Division of the Institute. In this case, you would resign your Canadian Division membership, and the National Office will provide the necessary information to the receiving Division upon your instruction.
If you prefer to keep your registration in Canada, your membership will continue to be administered by CGIC.
Questions about transferring your Chartered membership? Contact the National Office today.
Considering Chartered Membership?
learn more about the iqp program