Prepare for the CIRE

The foundational licensing exam administered by CIRO. Key facts:

• •Replaced the CSC + CPH pathway on January 1, 2026
• •Required for both Investment Representative (IR) and Registered Representative (RR) registration
• •No mandatory course — study however you want
• •Covers 9 elements: regulation, client relationships, products, ethics, and more

• •110 multiple-choice, scenario-based questions
• •120 minutes (~65 seconds per question)
• •Computer-based at Prometric test centres or remote-proctored from home

Register through CIRO's Enrolment Portal at ciro.ca:

• •Sign up and select CIRE as your exam
• •Pay the $475 exam fee
• •Schedule your appointment via the Candidate Portal

You can take the exam at a Prometric test centre or remote-proctored from home. We wrote a step-by-step registration guide if you want the full walkthrough.

• •First attempt: $475 CAD
• •Retakes: $300 each

Full fee details and retake policies are on ciro.ca. Retakes add up — prep well the first time.

It's a judgment exam, not a memorization test.

• •9 elements covering regulation, client relationships, products, and ethics
• •~30% of questions are Apply/Analyze level — you work through scenarios, not just recall facts
• •Element 7 (Securities & Products) is worth 19% alone

The candidates who struggle are the ones who study breadth without depth.

6–8 weeks at 7–10 hours per week. Here's how to know you're ready:

• •Scoring 70%+ consistently on practice mocks
• •No major weak spots across any element
• •Comfortable with scenario-based questions, not just definitions

Already in the industry? Focus on Elements 3, 7, and 9 — that's where the weight is.

Depends on your registration:

• •Investment Representative (execute trades only) — CIRE alone
• •Registered Representative — retail (advisory) — CIRE + RSE
• •Registered Representative — institutional — CIRE + ISE

Your firm's registration category determines which exams you need. Everyone starts with the CIRE.

It depends on your situation:

• •Existing Approved Person (as of Dec 31, 2025) — you can continue in your current role without the CIRE
• •Enrolled in CSI courses before Jan 1, 2026 — if you complete them before Jan 1, 2027, you may be exempt
• •Left the industry for more than 180 days — you'll need the new CIRO exams

Full transition details are on ciro.ca.

Yes. CIRO publishes a free syllabus, study guide, and one practice exam at ciro.ca. No mandatory courses — study however you want.

EnCiro builds on top of these with 12,000+ practice questions, 480+ structured learning concepts, and an AI tutor.

EnCiro gives you:

• •12,000+ practice questions with detailed explanations
• •480+ learning concepts with flashcards
• •AI Tutor trained on the CIRE syllabus
• •Custom mock exams — build your own exams to ensure your preparation is personalized

Many candidates use it as their primary study tool alongside CIRO's free official materials (syllabus, study guide, and practice exam at ciro.ca).