- CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) Course
- PDMs (Professional Development Modules)
- Introduction to Customs Course
Frequently Asked Questions
Print- How do I become a Certified Customs Specialist (CCS)?
- How do I maintain my CCS status?
- How do I earn CCS points?
- How do I let the CSCB know that I have attended an event?
- Which events are eligible for CCS points?
- What if I don’t earn 20 professional development points?
- Can I “bank” CCS points if I earn more than 20 a year?
- When do I pay my annual fee?
- What happens if I don’t pay my annual fee?
- What happens if I take a leave of absence from work?
- How am I notified when the CCS online quizzes are available?
- What happens if I miss the deadline for submitting a CCS online quiz?
- When will I receive the results of the CCS online quiz?
- What if I lose my CCS pin, certificate or membership card?
- I'm ready to retire, what will happen with my designation?
- What is a CCS Honourary Status?
1. How do I become a Certified Customs Specialist (CCS)?
Anyone who successfully completes the CCS Course and scores 65% or more on the final exam is designated a CSCB Certified Customs Specialist (CCS). Eligible individuals with customs experience can also apply to challenge the CCS exam without completing the CCS Course.
Preparation for the CCS exam is available through the CCS course. There is no specific educational program for those who wish to challenge the exam.
2. How do I maintain my CCS status?
You must earn 20 CCS professional development points and pay annual dues (currently $105 plus applicable taxes) every year. Failure to do either results in the loss of your CCS designation.
CCS students are exempt from dues payment for the year following their graduation. However, they must still earn 20 points in the year following graduation.
3. How do I earn CCS points?
CCS points are awarded for approved professional development activities. Successfully completing a CSCB Online Professional Development Module is worth 20 CCS points, for example. Participating on a CSCB committee (10 to 20 points), passing a CCS online quiz (10 points), and attending a CSCB meeting, conference or approved external event (5 to 20 points) are other ways to earn points. See Obtaining CCS Points for the full list of professional development activities.
4. How do I let the CSCB know that I have attended an event?
Send a completed attendance form to the CSCB before December 31 to ensure that your CCS points are recorded.
5. Which events are eligible for CCS points?
There is a list of recognized events, which is regularly updated on the CSCB Website. You can Request Recognition of Eligibility for CCS Professional Development Points for events that are not on the list. Events must be at least 3 hours long and pass CSCB’s content requirements for points eligibility. There is an administrative fee (currently $20 plus applicable taxes) for an eligibility review for any event that is not sponsored by CSCB, I.E. Canada, or the federal government.
6. What if I don’t earn 20 professional development points?
Failure to earn a total of 20 points during the year voids your CCS status. To re-qualify, see #1 above.
7. Can I “bank” CCS points if I earn more than 20 a year?
No, a minimum of 20 CCS points must be earned each year.
8. When do I pay my annual dues?
CCS designates who earned 20 points in the previous year will receive an invoice for annual dues in January. (Some corporate members arrange to pay the annual dues of their employees through an agreement with the CSCB. In this case, the employer receives the dues invoice.) Payment is due within 30 days of invoice date.
9. What happens if I don’t pay my annual dues?
Failure to pay your annual dues voids your CCS status. To re-qualify, see #1 above.
10. What happens if I take a leave of absence from work?
The annual points requirement will be waived for parental or sick leave absences of more than 6 months in a calendar year. Official documentation from your health care provider or employer is required. Dues payment for the year is still required.
11. How am I notified when the CCS online quizzes are available?
The notice of quiz availability is sent in your daily CCS e-mail messages.
12. What happens if I miss the deadline for submitting a CCS online quiz?
Late submissions are not accepted without a medical certificate attesting that you were unable to complete the quiz between the dates it was offered.
13. When will I receive the results of the CCS online quiz?
Quiz results will be sent via e-mail approximately four weeks after the quiz submission deadline.
14. What if I lose my CCS pin, certificate or membership card?
Contact the CSCB National Office for a replacement. There is a cost of $25 plus applicable taxes, each.
15. I'm ready to retire, what will happen with my designation?
You can keep your designation. You don't have to collect points, and you only pay a nominal fee to maintain your status. For more details, please see: Canadian CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) - Retired Status and Request for Canadian CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) - Retired Status
16. What is a CCS Honourary Status?
CCS Honourary Status recognizes individuals who have made a positive, lasting contribution to the Canadian customs brokerage community. For more details, please see: Canadian CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) - Honourary Status and Nomination Form for Canadian CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) - Honourary Status
Questions or Comments may be direct to ccs@cscb.ca.