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Immigration is not only a fundamental aspect of Canada's national identity but also vital for its economic prosperity. The government is expecting approximately one million new permanent residents in 2024 and 2025, meaning that the demand for Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) is at an all-time high. This article will delve into the role of an RCIC, the necessary steps to become licensed, and how Ashton College can assist you throughout the process.
An RCIC, or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, is a legal professional, who plays a crucial role in assisting individuals looking to immigrate to Canada. As highlighted on the CICC (College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants) website, immigration consultants help and support individuals in many different areas of Canadian immigration, such as applications for study permits, family sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and citizenship. For example, this may include explaining immigration and citizenship pathways, making recommendations on the most suitable immigration streams for a client, filing and submitting applications, and communicating with the Government of Canada on behalf of clients.
To become an RCIC, individuals must navigate a three-step process outlined in detail on the CICC website. This process includes obtaining an undergraduate degree, pursuing postgraduate education, and passing the RCIC Entry-to-Practice Exam (EPE).
The first step is to obtain a bachelor's degree from a recognized Canadian university or its foreign equivalent. This will open doors to applying for graduate law school, where aspiring immigration consultants can specialize in Immigration and Citizenship Law. Currently, the online Graduate Diploma Program in Immigration and Citizenship Law at Queens University is the only English-taught program available in Canada. For French-speaking individuals, the University of Montreal offers the (DESS) en règlementation canadienne et règlementation québécoise de l'immigration. Upon completing either one of these programs, graduates can then apply to take the RCIC Entry-To-Practice Examination (RCIC EPE). It's worth noting that until 2025, graduates from IPPs (Immigration Practitioner Programs – the Graduate Diploma's predecessor) may also be eligible to take the exam. Please refer the the CICC website for more information on IPP applications.
According to the CICC, regulation is vital to safeguard vulnerable clients from falling victim to false advice or immigration fraud that could harm their immigration journey. Therefore, it also protects the reputation of the CICC, RCIC licensees and the integrity of the profession overall. As part of the regulation, ongoing education for RCICs such as Continuous Professional Development programs are mandatory and ensure that practitioners stay up-to-date with ever-evolving immigration policies and laws.
As described on the CICC website, the purpose of the RCIC Entry-to-Practice exam is to assess the knowledge and practical skills of exam-takers in specific areas of Canadian immigration law. This includes a deep understanding of immigration and citizenship legislation, regulations, procedures, as well as professional ethics and responsibilities needed for entry-level practice. While the exam focused on knowledge-based questions in the past, it now emphasizes the practical application of immigration law.
The RCIC Entry-to-Practice exam is held online and must be completed within three hours. This closed-book exam consists of 135 multiple-choice questions that are both independent and case-based. Out of these 135 questions, ten are randomly placed for analysis purposes and do not contribute to the candidate's test result. Candidates are allowed to attempt the exam up to four times, and may need to fulfill additional requirements for any further attempts. Exam-takers will need to pay $425 for their first attempt and $325 for additional attempts. If a prospective test taker wishes to defer their exam date, they must submit a form and pay a deferral fee of $75.
All applicants must submit the Online Registration Application form on the CICC website before the specified deadline and pay a non-refundable fee of $75. Besides having completed the Graduate Diploma Program, or IPP, applicants must prove that they are 18 or older with a valid government-issued photo ID such as a passport or driver’s license. If you graduated from an IPP more than three years ago, you must provide a Letter of Academic Standing dated no later than December 31, 2022, proving that your skills and knowledge are up-to-date. CICC will accept IPP applications up to December 31, 2025. Since clear and professional communication is necessary as an RCIC, all applicants much meet language proficiency requirements (CBL Level 9 for English or (NCLC Level 9 for French). As these requirements are already part of the new graduate diploma programs, graduates don't need additional language test results. However, IPP applicants must provide recent test results when applying.
Passing the RCIC EPE requires aspiring RCICs to prepare in-depth for many immigration scenarios. Registering for Ashton’s RCIC Entry-to-Practice (EPE) Exam Prep Course is an excellent way to do this. Ashton has a strong focus on education in immigration law All courses offered by the college's dedicated Immigration Practitioner Centre including the RCIC EPE Prep Course, have been approved by CICC, validating Ashton’s course quality and the college’s commitment to providing programs that meet industry standards and demands. Additionally, all courses are taught by industry professionals who posess excellent theoretical knowledge and the skills and experience to apply this knowledge in the real world.
Ashton’s RCIC EPE Prep Course offers a comprehensive learning experience over two weeks, totaling 36 hours. The classes are conducted online, allowing students to participate in live sessions from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. PST. Using the best webinar technology, Ashton ensures that students can connect seamlessly with their instructors and classmates. With just a reliable internet connection and a well-functioning computer system, students can actively engage in breakout rooms, screen sharing, and class discussions, fostering an interactive and collaborative environment. The program also provides material reviews, question-and-answer sessions, presentations, and a simulated exam featuring sample questions, ensuring that students are fully prepared for the actual test.
Even though the college encourages live participation, Ashton understands the importance of flexibility in education. That's why their RCIC EPE Prep Course offers an asynchronous learning component, allowing students to access learning resources such as recorded real-time lectures, online readings, and discussion forms at their own pace. Furthermore, upon registration, students have the option to purchase discounted practice exams from Emond Exam Prep. This unique combination of interactive classroom sessions and self-paced study provides students with the best of both worlds – fostering a sense of community while accommodating their individual schedules and commitments.
The RCIC Entry-to-Practice Exam (EPE) Prep Course is specifically tailored to the knowledge required for the RCIC EPE exam. Ashton provides in-depth coverage of topics such as Canadian Immigration Policy, Legal Research and Informatics, Inadmissibility, Labour Market Assessments, Federal Economic Classes, Family class and more (see the course description for a full list).
One of our RCIC EPE Prep course alumni, Uzma, highly praises her instructor for the clear and comprehensive way in which he covered the concepts in the course. Uzma particularly enjoyed engaging in discussions with fellow students about various immigration cases, which further deepened her understanding of the subject. She offers valuable advice to future students, emphasizing the importance of being open-minded, reading extensively, and putting in the necessary effort, as there is a lot of content to cover. She reminds future students that in an adult learning environment, no one else will do the work for them. However, Uzma assures them that all the hard work pays off in the end, as the concepts become clear and students understand the system im which they operate.
Although there are no formal admission requirements for the course, it is specifically designed for students who aspire to become RCICs by successfully passing the RCIC EPE. As a result, students are expected to have a strong understanding of the foundations of immigration law. This course can also be beneficial for current RCICs who want to fulfill their ongoing education obligations and stay up-to-date with the requirements of their license. For instance, BC lawyers can count this course towards their annual Continuing Professional Development Plan as it has been approved by the Law Society of BC.
Are you considering taking the RCIC EPE and think Ashton's prep course might be for you? Be sure to explore the course description for more information. The upcoming course is scheduled to run from November 20th to December 5th, 2023. The next exam will be held on December 13th, 2023. We look forward to having you join us online!
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