ICD.D Certification

Granted by the Institute of Corporate Directors, the ICD.D designation is a clear demonstration of a director's commitment to practice and build on the skills and knowledge acquired through the Directors Education Program. 

To date, more than 1,000 directors have earned their ICD.D designation including some of Canada's most senior business leaders like Purdy Crawford, Claude Lamoureux, John MacNaughton, Mary Mogford, and the Hon. Brian Tobin.

Certification Process

If you would like to earn your ICD.D designation, complete the Request to Certify form and submit it to:

Institute of Corporate Directors
602-40 University Avenue
Toronto, ON M5J 1T1
Fax: (416) 593-0636

Please note that an applicant or certification candidate must:

1. Be a member in good standing with the Institute of Corporate Directors, having signed the ICD’s Member Code of Conduct;
2. Meet the admitting criteria for the ICD Directors Education Program;
3. Graduate from the ICD/Rotman Directors Education Program;
4. Successfully pass the ICD.D written examination and pay a one-time written examination fee of $125 + GST;    
5. Serve as a director for two of the past five years, on a board that meets at least four times per year, has a minimum of three directors, and is focused on governance;
6. Successfully pass the ICD.D oral peer examination given by two ICD-appointed examiners and pay a one-time oral examination fee of $125 + GST; and
7. Sign the ICD.D Certification Agreement, which requires certified directors to commit to a minimum of 14 hours ongoing governance education annually. Click here for a demonstration on how to record your CEUs.

Click here to review the Certification Financial Policies.

Certification Examinations

The certification examinations evaluate the ICD Key Competencies deemed necessary to be an effective director. If you have any questions or comments regarding the ICD Key Competencies, please email certification@icd.ca.

The knowledge-based competencies are assessed through a multiple-choice written examination. The skills and behavioural competencies are assessed through an oral exam, where a group of up to four candidates are given a case by a panel of Canada’s most experienced directors, in a simulated boardroom environment. Following the board simulation, each candidate receives a one-on-one interview with one of the examiners.

Sample Questions and Cases

• Written examination
• Oral examination - Case A
• Oral examination - Case B

Examination Dates

• Written certification examination calendar
• Oral certification examination calendar

Contact Us

For more information about the ICD.D certification process, please contact us at certification@icd.ca.