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What is the Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM)?

The Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM) designation is recognized worldwide as a top credential for wealth management. It ensures that financial professionals have the unique knowledge and skills to address the complex needs of high-net-worth clients.

Co-granted by the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) and the Association of International Wealth Management (AIWM), the CIWM has international recognition and portability—creating career opportunities for you anywhere in the world.

Learn more about the changing wealth management industry by reading the Whitepaper ‘Defining the Wealth Management Industry and Practice in Canada.’

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What are the Pre-requisite Requirements?

To be eligible for enrolment in the CIWM Certification Examination, candidates must meet the pre-requisite requirements and complete the Dealing with High Net Worth Clients Program.

The pre-requisite requirements for registration in the CIWM Certification Exam are:

 

What is the path to the Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM) designation?

The Dealing with High Net Worth Clients (DHNW) Program consists of 5 online courses

What is Dealing with High Net Worth Clients (DHNW)?

Candidates must complete the Dealing with High Net Worth Clients Program before enrolling in the CIWM Certification Examination. The Dealing with High Net Worth Clients Program is the core education component on the path to the CIWM designation. It includes a wide variety of courses focused on the knowledge and skills required of an advisor dealing with high-net-worth clients. It offers a modularized structure that makes the curriculum bite-sized, accessible, and flexible for learners. It also provides recognition of a student’s prior learning.

The modular structure allows learners to select topics most relevant to their needs. In addition, learners will be able to incrementally earn multi-jurisdictional CE credits, micro-certificates (represented by digital badges), course completions, and certificates while working towards completing the internationally recognized CIWM designation.

Note: There are no pre-requisites to enroll in any of the courses within the Dealing with High Net Worth Clients Program. Enrolment is open to anyone.

Course Exemptions and Recognition of Prior Learning

As candidates for the CIWM have generally been in the industry for at least several years, they likely will already have taken parts of the curriculum through other course offerings. Please see the following table to identify courses that are considered equivalent to the courses within the Dealing with High Net Worth Clients Program.

Course Exempted CSI Course That Gives Exemption CSI Certificate That Gives Exemption External Certification That Gives Exemption*
Retirement Planning for High Net Worth Clients Advanced Retirement and Estate Planning Strategies Certificate in Retirement Strategy
Advanced Retirement Management Strategies
Investment Strategies for High Net Worth Clients Advanced Investment Strategies Certificate in Advanced Investment Advice Chartered Financial Analyst
Investment Management Techniques® CIM or CIM®
Estate Planning for High Net Worth Clients Advanced Retirement and Estate Planning Strategies Certificate in Estate Planning and Trust Strategy Chartered Life Underwriter
Advanced Estate Planning and Trust Strategies Trust and Estate Practitioner

External Designation Recognitions are subject to CSI’s External Designation Recognition policy and fee.

Individuals who have completed recognized wealth management courses from educational providers other than CSI can apply for course exemptions. Use the Exemption Request Form to apply for a course exemption.

CIWM Certification Examination Requirements

The CIWM Certification Examination will assess the candidate’s expertise in developing strategies and relationships with high-net-worth clients. The examination has three components based on a high net worth client scenario to be completed over the course of 8 weeks. The level of effort required is estimated at 25-35 hours.