CICC RCIC EPE study guide
CICC RCIC EPE · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
This page is an independent study resource for candidates preparing for the Entry to Practice Exam (EPE) of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). The EPE is the licensing examination that aspiring Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants must pass as part of the path to becoming an RCIC, and it is also relevant to Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors working within the College's regulatory framework. The CICC RCIC EPE study guide has 5 sections and about 1,589 words.
01Professional Conduct and Ethics for RCICs
Every RCIC answers to a regulator (the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants) and to a statutory code of professional conduct. Candidates must know the pillars: integrity, honesty, competence, confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, and maintaining the client's informed consent at every step.
338 words, about 2 min02Immigration Law and Policy Framework
Candidates must map the hierarchy: the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) sets the framework; regulations and ministerial instructions fill in detail; policy guidance (program delivery instructions, operational bulletins) explains but does not create law. Know the difference between a statutory requirement, a regulatory requirement, and a policy preference - exam questions often test whether you can spot when an officer's discretion is bounded by law versus guided by policy.
322 words, about 2 min03Temporary Resident Applications and Advisory Practice
Temporary residence covers visitors, students, and workers. Candidates must understand the dual test for most temporary applications: the applicant must satisfy the program-specific requirements and also convince the officer they will leave at the end of authorized stay.
293 words, about 1 min04Permanent Resident Applications and Advisory Practice
Permanent residence is pursued mainly through economic programs (express entry and provincial nominee programs) and family sponsorship. Candidates must understand the express entry mechanics - the comprehensive ranking system, invitation rounds, and the requirement that a profile be accurate and supported by documents - as well as sponsorship obligations, including the undertaking and the income test for spousal and dependent sponsors.
320 words, about 2 min05Citizenship and Practice Management
Citizenship applications turn on physical presence, language ability, and knowledge of Canada. Candidates must know the residency calculation, the age-based language and knowledge requirements, and the prohibition rules that bar citizenship for certain criminal or immigration findings.
316 words, about 2 min