Application Steps for Candidacy and Certification

APPLYING FOR CIPS MEMBERSHIP AND CERTIFICATION

Applying for membership and certifications with CIPS is an excellent way to show your professionalism, integrity, and dedication to your work.
Generally, the recommended route to obtain membership is to (a) apply through the Provincial Society; (b) successfully complete the Ethics exam; and (c) complete a certification application.

Becoming a Member of CIPS Saskatchewan
To become a CIPS member, start by visiting the national site at www.cips.ca/membership and select CIPS Saskatchewan from the selection list. If you are not a graduate of an accredited CIPS program, you must complete a CIPS Ethics exam in order to proceed through the process. A list of these programs can be found at cips.ca/accreditation.

To take the exam, visit exam.cipsresources.ca.

Applying for CIPS Certification

Qualified designations and certifications from CIPS can highlight your skill level, professionalism, and experience. We encourage all IT professionals to continuously increase their skillset and apply for the relevant certifications.

Generally, the target time for processing applications is 3-4 months. However, circumstances beyond our control, as well as the total number of applications received, can substantially increase the waiting period. The current processing time may range from 3-9 months, and all applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received.

  1. Preparing your application
    Prior to applying, determine the designation you qualify for, and use the CIPS Certification Wizard to find the application route that will best suit your IT experience and education. If you are unsure which certification is right for you, review the criteria at the following sites to help you decide.

If you think you may qualify for the AITP or Candidate certifications, please visit the following links and review the criteria (AITP is for recent graduates of an IT degree with little to no work experience).

  2. Once you know which certification you qualify for, please proceed to the Applications site below and complete the form(s) recommended for your chosen route. The step-by-step application process and links to the forms can be found at cips.ca/CertificationApplications
  3. Thoroughly review the application and make note of specific requirements, as this may help to answer any questions you may have.
  4. If the chosen certification route requires an assessment of international education, a course-by-course education equivalency assessment is required.
    If you currently have a degree assessment (international education), you may ask for a course-by-course upgrade.
    If your certification is a requirement of SINP application, please inform SINP of our estimated processing time.

Payment for Certification Applications
You can make payments for your certification applications at cips.ca/CertificationPayment

Recertification 
If you are granted certified member status in CIPS,  you will periodically have to recertify, in addition to annual membership renewal. To maintain your certified status, you will be required to recertify every three years. Visit cips.ca/recertification for information on the CIPS recertification process.

Aside from annual membership dues, there are no additional fees for recertification. However, failure to meet either one of these requirements will result in the loss of your certification status.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Does CIPS require an education credential assessment for international degrees?
    The list of recognized Canadian academic credential assessment services for course-by-course analysis and a statement of equivalency can be found in the certification application.
  • Once I obtain the course-by-course assessment certificate, what should I do next?
    If the specific route requires a course-by-course assessment, you may submit that request, and then while you wait for the assessment you may complete the membership and certification applications.
  • Is the completion of the CIPS Ethics exam mandatory?
    Yes, it is mandatory. The Ethics exam can be found at: exam.cipsresources.ca
  • Why does CIPS need references from the last two years?
    Your reference letter validates your roles and responsibilities for the last 24 months. Direct contact information for the person signing the letter is required.
    However, it does not necessarily need to be a “company letter” – it is meant to come from a trustworthy source, such as a manager to whom you reported or a colleague that worked at the same level as you. It may even come from a client you served, as long as the source of the letter identifies your work relationship within it.
  • Is there a course outline for the I.S.P certificate?
    As this is an application, and not a course, there is no course outline.
  • Do I have to pay both the membership fee and the certification fee?
    Yes, you must pay for both.
  • I still have more questions!
    If you still have questions, please visit our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page.