The following policies are subject to change with notice.
How to Become a CCS
Complete a CCS Course
Anyone who successfully completes the CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) course is designated a CSCB CCS (Certified Customs Specialist).
Challenge a CCS Exam
Eligible individuals can challenge the CCS exam without completing the CCS Course.
Preparation for the CCS exam is available through the CCS course only. There is no specific educational program or materials for those who wish to challenge the exam.
An individual may enrol if s/he has:
- one year of verifiable experience in a Canadian customs brokerage operations environment; OR
- one year of verifiable experience with a Canadian importer who is performing their own clearances; OR
- successfully completed the CSCB Introduction to Canadian Customs & Border Procedures online course; OR
- one year of verifiable experience in a Canadian supply chain environment with one of the following designations (students requesting this type of exemption must submit a copy of the accreditation received):
- from CITT – the CCLP designation;
- from CIFFA – the CIFFA certification, the FIATA diploma, or the PFF;
- from FITT – the CITP|FIBP; OR
- from CITT – the CCLP designation;
- successfully completed one of the following programs:
- Seneca College: International Transportation and Customs
- Fleming College: Law and Security Administration – Customs Border Services
- Fleming College: International Trade
- Fleming College: Supply Chain Management – Global Logistics
- St Clair College: International Business Management – Logistics Systems certificate
- Loyalist College: Customs Border Services
- Centennial College: Supply Chain and Operations diploma
- Centennial College: Supply Chain and Operations Management Advanced diploma
- Centennial College: Supply Chain Management – Logistics graduate certificate
*Students requesting this type of exemption must submit a copy of the program completion certificate or a transcript sent directly from the College with their application
- a current US CCS Designate (NCBFAA); OR
- successfully completed the CBSA Professional Examination or the US CBP Customs Broker Licensing Exam.
Providing you meet the enrolment requirement, enrolment is considered finalized when the CSCB has received full payment of tuition fees. Course access details will be emailed to students in the first week of October.
NOTE: This course is taxable. All prices are in Canadian dollars.
| STUDENT CATEGORY | EMPLOYEES OF CSCB MEMBERS, CBSA & OGD | EMPLOYEES OF CSCB PREFERRED BUSINESS CLIENTS | EMPLOYEES OF NON-MEMBERS OR UNEMPLOYED |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Applicant | $725.00 | $1,200.00 | $1,500.00 |
| Former applicant who did not pass the CCS course within the last two academic years* | $398.75 | $660.00 | $825.00 |
* For example: it is currently 2024, the previous two academic years are October 2022-September 2023 and October 2023-September 2024.
There will be a $35 fee for NSF cheques.
The CCS course is designed to be completed online. Once your enrollment application and payment have been processed, you will receive access information from the CSCB. Access to all required reference materials is provided in the course content.
A final grade of 65% or higher is required to pass the CCS course.
Upon successful completion of the CCS course, the graduate will be mailed a CCS course certificate, an official transcript, a CCS designate certificate, and a pin. The graduate may also use the designation, CCS (Certified Customs Specialist), as long as s/he meets the ongoing renewal requirements.
The final examination will be held on a Saturday, September 6, 2025.
The final examination is worth 80% of your final grade. The remaining 20% is calculated based on your Part Test grades. The passing grade for the CCS course is 65%. All students are eligible to write the final exam.
The final exam is being held online and is a 3-hour closed-book proctored exam. It requires stable internet access, a webcam, a mic, and a quiet private area to work in during the exam.
The final exam can be completed from any location including those outside of Canada.
Within three weeks of the final exam, students will be provided with their final course grade. Completed examinations will not be returned to the student.
If you require accessibility arrangements, you must advise the CSCB in writing no later than August 31. A medical certificate or assessment documentation must be submitted with your request. Please note that each case will be considered on its own merits.
Students were advised of the examination date at time of registration. However, in certain circumstances, for e.g. religious or medical reasons, when a student is not able to write the exam on exam date, a deferral exam will be available. Deferral requests must be submitted to the CSCB no later than August 31. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. There may be a fee of CDN $100 to defer your exam.
There is an opportunity to write a second CCS examination for students who fail the immediately preceding examination, with a grade between 60–64% (either on its original date or on the deferral date). There is a fee of CDN $100 for students who choose to write the second examination.
The CSCB will schedule the examination before the end of the calendar year.
This option is not available to students who:
- did not write the first final examination;
- received a grade below 60% on the immediately preceding examination; or
- challenged and failed the immediately preceding examination.
The CSCB requires written notice of course withdrawals. Please email it to [email protected] prior to October 31.
There is a CDN $100 administrative fee if the CSCB receives written notice of enrolment cancellation prior to the student gaining access to course materials. A refund of the tuition fees, minus a CDN $100 administrative fee will be issued.
There is a CDN $150 administrative fee if the CSCB receives written notice of enrolment cancellation after access to course materials has been provided but prior to October 30. A refund of the tuition fees, minus a CDN $150 administrative fee will be issued.
Students may withdraw from the course at any time; however, there will be no refund of tuition fees after October 31.
Email is the primary method of communication in the course. Students are responsible for maintaining the reliability of all their contact information through their CSCB accounts.