RCIC – IRB Specialized Exam Prep Course (Online)

IRB Specialized Exam Overview

This online prep program is offered to assist and prepare licensed RCICs in their study efforts to write the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC-CCIC)’s IRB Specialization Examination to appear before the Immigration Refugee Board after July 1, 2023.

The College requires all RCICs wishing to appear before the IRB to successfully complete the College’s IRB Specialization Licensing Course and if successful in completing the program to then, be qualified to take the College’s IRB Specialization Examination. It is our understanding that RCICs may have 4 attempts to pass the College’s IRB Specialization Examination.

IRB Specialized Exam Prep Course Overview

Ashton College’s IRB Specialization Exam Preparation Course does not take the place of the College’s qualifying program as it is meant to assist RCICs in preparing to write the College’s IRB Specialization Examination.

We introduce RCICs to the formatting of the Examination given that the College has expanded questions outside of just an immigration knowledge based examination/foundational knowledge to take into account the College’s essential competencies. The actual questions fall into either Multiple Choice Questions or Case Scenario Based Questions.

RCICs will be prohibited from bringing referenced materials to the College’s examination. The intent is to ensure that test takers should be able to apply critical thinking and problem solving to be successful with the examination.

The College has introduced the Code of Professional Conduct and Interpretation Guide. All RCICs being examined will need to apply the College’s Code or Professional Conduct and Regulations whether in the initial RCIC Entry to Practice Examination, the RISIA Entry to Practice Examination, or the IRB Specialization Examination.

The IRB Specialization Examination Preparation Course will first introduce the students to the format and structure of the Examination and its Multiple Choice Questions and Case Scenario Questions. The introduction module will provide an overview of the source materials and outline the Core Competencies and Performance Indicators.

There will be a review of the overall structure and history of the development of the Immigration Refugee Board. This will be followed by instruction on each of the Four Divisions: the Refugee Protection Division, the Refugee Appeal Division, the Immigration Division, the Immigration Appeal Division and appeal procedures to the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, or Supreme Court.

The course will also deal with Canadian Immigration Policy, Administrative Law and Advocacy, and Ethics and Profession Responsibility which includes the Code of Professional Conduct and Interpretation Guide.

Program strategies and activities included are intensive interactional discussions with students, and simulated exam exercises. This approach will allow students to review and to recall knowledge in a collaborative environment.

Admission Requirements

Must be a licensed RCIC. May also allow Lawyers, or Ontario and BC Paralegals wishing to update their knowledge regarding IRB Practices and Procedures.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course the successful student will have underwent a review of the following examinable materials that should assist them in preparation for the IRB Licensing Examination, if applicable:

College’s IRB Specialization Examination

• Understand the format and structure of the IRB Specialization Licensing Examination
• Understand the Multiple Choice Questions and Case Scenario Questions
• Understand the necessity of selecting the best answer for each question
• Understand not only how the test taker is assessed but how the exam itself is assessed and how pass/fail rates are established

Canadian Immigration Policy

• Understand the History and Hierarchy of the Administrative Tribunals and Courts.
• Understand Relevant Sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, Administrative Tribunal Rules, and Court Rules.
• Canadian Legal Terminology applicable to the Immigration Refugee Board and Appeals.

Administrative Law and Advocacy

• Principles of Administrative Law.
• Procedural fairness, natural justice, and fundamental justice.
• Burden of Proof and Standard of Proof.
• Advocacy.

Ethics and Professional Responsibility

• Under the meaning and implications of the College’s new Code pf Professional Ethics (as the new Code was expanded beyond principles to incorporate prescription based prohibitions).
• Apply the Code of Professional Ethics to given situations.
• Understand the permitted scope of practice and to be able to practice in a Professional manner.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply Critical Thinking and Problem Solving.

IRB and Administrative Tribunals

• Understand the structure of the Immigration Refugee Board and each of the Four Divisions: Refugee Protection Division, Refugee Appeal Division, Immigration Division, and Immigration Appeal Division.
• Understand the difference between tribunals and courts.
• Understanding of Detention Reviews, Admissibility Hearings, Tribunals, and Appeals before the Tribunal and Judicial Reviews.