Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®)

The CIM® is the industry standard for discretionary investment and portfolio management services. It ensures that financial professionals have the knowledge and skills to evaluate and manage all aspects of a client’s investment portfolio. It is recognized by Canadian securities regulators and ensures that those who earn it are qualified to evaluate and manage all aspects of a client’s investment portfolio. When you earn the CIM®, you become one of many investment advisors qualified to manage money on a discretionary basis for an increasing number of sophisticated clients.

To earn the CIM® designation, you must complete 1 of 2 approved learning paths, offered exclusively through the Canadian Securities Institute.

In addition to the educational requirements, you must:

• Have 2 years of relevant work experience
• Sign a Code of Ethics
• Sign a Certification Mark Licence Agreement
• Pay an application/licence fee

See the Designation Requirements section for a detailed list of requirements for earning the CIM®.

You will not be granted the CIM® designation unless you meet ALL requirements. You have 5 years from when you have successfully completed the Portfolio Management Techniques course to apply for the designation.

You can apply for the CIM® directly online. First, CSI will confirm that you have completed the educational requirements. Then you will be prompted to:

• Sign off on the Code of Ethics and the work experience requirements (your work experience will be verified by sending an email to the verifier you name on your application)
• Certify you’ve read and will abide by the Certification Mark Licence Agreement
• Pay for your application online

The initial application fee includes your licence fee for the year. The annual renewal fee is $325. (You will receive a discount if you hold multiple CSI designations in good standing.) Check with your employer to find out if they offer any subsidy arrangements.

Once you apply for the designation online, you will receive immediate confirmation along with an order ID number. You will receive your official letter of certification and a wall certificate within 4 – 6 weeks.

Yes. The certificate will be mailed to you and typically arrives 4 – 6 weeks from when you were granted the designation. You have the option to purchase a frame designed exclusively for the CIM® designation.

• National promotion and advertising campaigns that create awareness of the CIM® designation, including opportunities to be featured in campaigns
• Listing in the CIM® Directory, which helps clients find you and verify your credentials
• Access to:
  • CIM® trademark designation letters:
    the right to use in marketing materials to promote your credentials
  • CIM® Portal login:
    unlock online resources, publications and customizable marketing materials
  • CIM® LinkedIn community:
    network and contribute to valuable discussion
  • Exclusive webinars:
    stay on top of the latest industry topics
  • Promotional tools
    to help you promote yourself, your designation and educate your clients about CIM

The benefits are behind the CIM® Login. When we announce any exclusive webinars, we will notify you by email.

Beginning January 1, 2018, CE is to be completed based upon a 2-year cycle beginning January 1, 2018, and ending December 31, 2019, and so on. CIM® holders are required to complete 20 hours in professional development and 10 hours in compliance during each cycle. For the previous cycles, a CIM® was required to earn 42 CE hours (30 hours of Professional Development and 12 hours of Compliance) every 3 years. The last 3-year CE cycle began on January 1, 2015, and ended on December 31, 2017. Review the designation maintenance requirements to learn more.

CE for the CIM® designation is aligned to the IIROC CE cycle. The current cycle is from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023. That means:

• If you earn your CIM® in the first year of the IIROC CE cycle (2022), you must complete your CE requirements by December 31, 2022
• If you receive your CIM® in the second year of the IIROC CE cycle (2023), you’re subject to CE requirements starting (starting January 1, 2023)

When renewing your licence, you’re required to declare completion of your CE hours. A percentage of renewal applicants will be audited for proof of completion of the CE requirements.

CSI conducts periodic audits of the CE hours required to maintain your designation. Make sure you keep a record of your hours. Review the designation maintenance requirements to learn more.

All CIM®s must renew their licence annually by their anniversary date (the date the designation was originally granted).

You will receive email notices 4 weeks and 1 week prior to expiry to remind you to renew your licence.

CSI is pleased to offer a tiered discount structure for those who hold multiple credentials (FCSI®, PFP®, CIM®, CIWM, MTI®) in good standing.

• 2 CSI credentials in good standing: $50 off the renewal of each credential ($275 each)
• 3 CSI credentials in good standing: $100 off the renewal of each credential ($225 each)
• 4 CSI credentials in good standing: $150 off the renewal of each credential ($175 each)

You can renew your licence online via the Student Login. Click on the “My Credentials” tab and then select “Renew Now.”

CIM®s who do not renew are declared to be “not in good standing.” You’ll receive a letter stating that you’re no longer eligible to use the CIM® trademarks. If you continue to use the trademarks, then legal action may be taken. Those who do not renew will also be removed from the CIM® Directory and will no longer be able to access any benefits.

What you need to know:
CIM®s are given the opportunity to reactivate their licence after a lapse of up to 5 years. After 5 years, you’ll be required to re-take and successfully complete the Portfolio Management Techniques course and meet the work experience requirement. If the lapse is 5 years or less, you can reactivate by completing the following steps:

• Prove CE requirements have been met
• Pay a $50 administration fee
• Agree to the CIM® Code of Ethics and Certification Mark Licence Agreement

The system will generate a tracking code (“CIMm”) for those who hold the new designation. New CIM® designation holders are also listed in the CIM® Directory

We have set up a special inbox for CIM® inquiries.
If your response can be answered directly by our customer service team, the turnaround time is 24 hours. If your request requires further investigation, we’ll strive to get back to you within 3 business days.