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Chartered Institute of Commerce of Nigeria (CICN)

Examinations, Qualifications & Student Opportunities

Explore CICN’s examination pathway, from the Qualifying Examination to professional levels. Find information on courses, qualification equivalencies, fees, registration, exemptions, and examination dates to guide your professional journey in commerce and business.

Register for Examinations
4 Key Levels Qualifying to Professional III
2 Diets Annually March/April & September/October
Diploma to PGD Official Qualification Equivalencies
Specialist Options Accounting, Admin, Marketing & More

CICN Examination Pathway

Candidates progress through a clearly sequenced examination structure. The number and selection of courses depend on the candidate’s course of study where specified below.

STAGE 1 · ENTRY ROUTE

Qualifying Examination

Entry route for candidates who need to meet basic qualification requirements. Comparable in level to O’Level requirements and similar in purpose to a pre-degree programme.

8 Subjects · Course-of-study based
STAGE 2 · FOUNDATION

Foundation Parts I & II

Two distinct parts establishing essential commercial competence. Five courses per part based on the candidate’s course of study.

5 Courses per Part · Diploma Equivalent
STAGE 3 · PROFESSIONAL

Professional I & II (PE I & II)

Core professional disciplines across specialized commercial areas. Five courses at each level based on chosen professional option.

5 Courses per Level · Higher Diploma / HND Equiv.
STAGE 4 · POSTGRADUATE

Professional III (Parts I & II)

The advanced final examination stage taken across Part I and Part II (five courses each), leading toward Associate membership eligibility.

5 Courses per Part · PGD Equivalent

CICN Qualification Equivalencies

The following qualification equivalencies are supplied directly by CICN for this programme:

Foundation Parts I & II Equivalent to a Diploma
PE I & PE II (Together) Equivalent to a Higher Diploma / HND
Professional Examination III Equivalent to a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)

Notice: Statements reflect the qualification equivalencies supplied by CICN. Additional claims regarding government recognition, automatic admissions, or statutory practice rights must be confirmed independently with CICN.

Qualifying Examination

Purpose & Scope

The Qualifying Examination provides an entry route for candidates who need to meet the stated basic qualification requirements before progressing through the CICN examination pathway.

The examination is comparable in level to O’Level requirements and is similar in purpose to a pre-degree entry programme.

Subjects

The Qualifying Examination consists of eight subjects based on the candidate’s intended course of study.

Important Notice: Subject combinations are determined by the candidate's intended course of study. Candidates should contact CICN directly to confirm the applicable course-specific subject combinations before preparing for the examination.

Qualifying Examination Fee

All amounts in Nigerian Naira (₦)
Total examination package ₦40,000
The Qualifying Examination is a single flat-fee package of ₦40,000. There is no separate registration, ID-card, or application-form charge at this level.

Foundation Examination (Parts I & II)

The Foundation Examination consists of two parts. Each part contains five courses based on the candidate’s course of study.

Foundation Part I

Five courses based on the candidate’s chosen course of study.

Foundation Part II

Five courses based on the candidate’s chosen course of study.

Candidates should consult CICN for the official course list relevant to their chosen course of study. Foundation Parts I and II together are equivalent to a Diploma.

Foundation Fee Structure & Group Breakdown

Examination fee: ₦35,000 per part | Application-form fee: ₦5,000 | Shared Reg & ID card: ₦8,000 | Exemption fee: ₦5,000 per course

Foundation Part I Fee Breakdown
Examination fee ₦35,000
Application form ₦5,000
Registration and ID card (payable for group) ₦8,000
Total (group registration fee payable) ₦48,000
Foundation Part II Fee Breakdown
Examination fee ₦35,000
Application form ₦5,000
Additional registration and ID card (already paid) ₦0
Total (group registration fee already paid) ₦40,000
Registration & Calculation Rules: The ₦8,000 registration and ID-card fee covers Foundation Parts I and II together. If a candidate takes both parts, the registration and ID-card fee is not charged twice. If a candidate takes only one part due to an exemption, the same Foundation group arrangement applies. The totals assume a separate application-form fee applies to each part entered. If CICN confirms that one form covers both parts, the combined total will be updated accordingly.

Professional Examination I & II (PE I & PE II)

Overview & Professional Options

Professional Examination I and Professional Examination II each consist of five courses based on the candidate’s course of study. Course selection and subject requirements depend on the candidate’s chosen professional option.

The professional subject areas associated with the examination structure include:

• Commercial Administration
• Accountancy
• Marketing
• Shipping & Transport Mgt
• Advertising & Public Relations
• Secretarial Studies
• Computer and Data Processing Management

Note: These are subject areas or options, not a confirmed list of five papers applicable to every candidate. Do not assign fixed papers unless confirmed by the current syllabus.

EQUIVALENCY

Higher Diploma / HND Equivalent

Professional Examinations I and II together are equivalent to a Higher Diploma or Higher National Diploma (HND) as supplied by CICN.

Key Rule: One ₦8,000 registration and ID-card fee covers PE I and PE II together. Candidates registering for both levels pay the group charge once.

PE I & PE II Fee Breakdown

Examination fee: ₦50,000 per level | Application-form fee: ₦10,000 | Shared Reg & ID card: ₦8,000 | Exemption fee: ₦5,000 per course

Professional Examination I (PE I) Breakdown
Examination fee ₦50,000
Application form ₦10,000
Registration and ID card (payable for group) ₦8,000
Total (group registration fee payable) ₦68,000
Professional Examination II (PE II) Breakdown
Examination fee ₦50,000
Application form ₦10,000
Additional registration and ID card (already paid) ₦0
Total (group registration fee already paid) ₦60,000

Professional Examination III (PE III)

Professional Examination III is the next examination stage after PE I and PE II. The supplied structure identifies Part I and Part II, with five courses in each part based on the candidate’s course of study.

PE III Part I

Five courses based on the candidate’s course of study.

PE III Part II

Five courses based on the candidate’s course of study.

Qualification Equivalency: Professional Examination III is equivalent to a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD). Exemption Fee: ₦5,000 / course

PE III Fee Breakdown

Examination fee: ₦80,000 per part | Application-form fee: ₦10,000 | Shared Reg & ID card: ₦8,000 | Exemption fee: ₦5,000 per course

PE III Part I Fee Breakdown
Examination fee ₦80,000
Application form ₦10,000
Registration and ID card (payable for group) ₦8,000
Total (group registration fee payable) ₦98,000
PE III Part II Fee Breakdown
Examination fee ₦80,000
Application form ₦10,000
Additional registration and ID card (already paid) ₦0
Total (group registration fee already paid) ₦90,000
Rules for PE III: The ₦8,000 registration and ID-card fee covers PE III Parts I and II together. Do not charge it twice for the same group. If a candidate takes only one part because of an exemption, the same PE III group arrangement applies. The totals assume a separate application-form fee applies to each part entered.

Complete Examination Fees Schedule

All amounts are in Nigerian Naira (₦). Charges are clearly itemized to keep examination fees, application-form fees, and registration/ID-card charges separate.

Examination Stage Examination Fee Application-Form Fee Registration & ID-Card Fee
Qualifying Examination ⁉40,000 (flat fee) Included Included
Foundation Part I ₦35,000 ₦5,000 ₦8,000 shared across Foundation I and II
Foundation Part II ₦35,000 ₦5,000 Shared Foundation charge (₦0 if paid)
Professional Examination I (PE I) ₦50,000 ₦10,000 ₦8,000 shared across PE I and PE II
Professional Examination II (PE II) ₦50,000 ₦10,000 Shared PE I/PE II charge (₦0 if paid)
PE III Part I ₦80,000 ₦10,000 ₦8,000 shared across PE III Parts I and II
PE III Part II ₦80,000 ₦10,000 Shared PE III charge (₦0 if paid)
Course Exemption ₦5,000 per course approved by CICN
Fee Calculation Rules
  • Registration and ID-card charges are shared within the relevant examination group (₦8,000 per group).
  • Do not count a shared ₦8,000 registration fee twice when calculating the cost of two parts within the same group.
  • The Qualifying Examination is a flat-fee package of ₦40,000 with no separate registration, ID-card, or application-form charge.
  • Totals assume a separate application-form fee for each part or level entered. If one form covers both parts of a group, the combined total will be revised accordingly.

Registration and ID-Card Rules

Qualifying Exam

₦40,000 Flat-fee package. No separate registration or ID-card charge.

Foundation Group

₦8,000 One charge covers Foundation Parts I and II together.

PE I / PE II Group

₦8,000 One charge covers Professional I and II together.

PE III Group

₦8,000 One charge covers PE III Parts I and II together.
Key Principles for Candidates: The Qualifying Examination is a flat-fee package with no separate registration charge. For Foundation, PE I/PE II, and PE III groups, examination fees and application-form fees are separate from the shared ₦8,000 registration charge. Do not pay the shared group registration fee twice when registering for both parts or levels in the same group.

Examination Diets & Schedule

CICN examinations are conducted during two official examination diets each year:

FIRST DIET

March / April Diet

Administered across approved centres according to candidate state and verified schedule.

SECOND DIET

September / October Diet

Administered across approved centres according to candidate state and verified schedule.

Confirmation of Dates and Venues: The specific dates, session times, and examination arrangements depend on the candidate’s state. Candidates should contact CICN directly to confirm the applicable timetable, examination venue, and instructions before registering or making travel arrangements.

Subject Exemptions

Candidates may enquire about exemptions from individual courses based on their qualifications or other eligibility criteria recognized by CICN. The applicable exemption must be evaluated and confirmed by the Institute.

What Candidates Need to Confirm with CICN:

  • Whether their existing qualification is eligible for consideration
  • Which courses may qualify for exemption
  • What supporting documents and certified transcripts are required
  • How approved exemptions affect their specific examination pathway
  • The applicable registration and fee arrangements

Please note: CICN does not grant automatic exemptions based solely on degrees, diplomas, or external memberships without formal evaluation and Institute confirmation.

Exemption Tariff ₦5,000 per approved course Enquire About Exemptions

Membership & Professional Development

The Chartered Institute of Commerce of Nigeria (CICN) is dedicated to building professional excellence and ethical standards in commerce and related business disciplines.

Candidates progress through the examination pathway toward the Institute’s applicable professional membership requirements. Eligible candidates who successfully complete the professional examinations may progress toward Associate membership (ACICN).

Candidates should contact CICN directly to confirm the current membership requirements, induction procedures, applicable fees, and documentation.

Official Candidate Notices & Guidelines

Institutions & Centres

Please contact CICN for the current list of recognized training institutions and approved examination centres.

Official venue confirmation is provided directly by the Institute upon verified registration.

Scholarships & Support

Information about scholarships, grants, and other student-support opportunities will be announced when confirmed by CICN. Please contact the Institute for current information.

Updates on active financial support schemes are issued through official CICN circulars.

Official Payment Instructions

Please confirm the current official payment instructions directly with CICN before making any payment.

Verify designated institutional account details and procedures with CICN prior to any remittance.

Begin Your Examination Pathway

Confirm your entry stage, review your course syllabus with CICN, and register for the next examination diet.

Register for the Next Diet
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