Overview
The CIPP/C is the IAPP's Canadian privacy law credential. It shows that the holder understands how Canadian information privacy laws, principles, and practices apply at the federal, provincial, and territorial levels. The body of knowledge covers the Canadian legal system and the role of privacy commissioners, PIPEDA and the provincial laws deemed substantially similar, Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, the federal Privacy Act and its provincial and territorial counterparts, and provincial health privacy acts. It's a knowledge exam.
Privacy officers, privacy analysts, lawyers, and compliance staff who handle Canadian personal information are the usual audience. The IAPP offers 5 regional CIPP certifications, for Asia, Canada, China, Europe, and the United States. Each tests regional law. The CIPM and CIPT take a different angle, covering how to run a privacy program and how to build privacy into technology, and the IAPP's Fellow of Information Privacy designation asks for an active CIPP plus an active AIGP, CIPM, or CIPT. Unlike the CIPP/E and CIPP/US, the CIPP/C isn't accredited by ANAB.
What the exam covers
The CIPP/C body of knowledge (version 3.1.0, effective 1 September 2025) has 4 domains, and the IAPP publishes a minimum and maximum number of questions for each instead of percentage weights.
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Privacy in Canada | 25–31 questions |
| Canadian Privacy Laws and Practices (Private Sector) | 18–22 questions |
| Canadian Privacy Laws and Practices (Public Sector) | 11–15 questions |
| Canadian Privacy Laws and Practices (Health Sector) | 9–13 questions |
Requirements
The IAPP does not publish a work experience requirement for the CIPP/C exam.
- Format
- Multiple-choice exam in English
- Questions
- 90 multiple-choice questions, including unscored questions (the split is not published on the certification page)
- Time
- 2.5 hours, with a 15-minute break
- Passing score
- 300 on a scaled range of 100 to 500
- Delivery
- Pearson VUE test centres or online proctoring through Pearson VUE OnVUE
The exam must be taken within 1 year of purchase. IAPP membership or a certification maintenance fee is required before the certification becomes active after a pass.
Cost
Exam fee: USD 550 (same price for members and non-members). Price shown on the IAPP store, checked 2026-10-12. The IAPP lists prices in US dollars only, retakes of a failed exam are discounted, and prices change.
Keeping it current
- Cycle
- 2 years
- Continuing education
- 20 CPE credits per certification per 2-year term
- Fees
- USD 250 certification maintenance fee per 2-year term, included in IAPP membership (USD 295 a year)
How to verify that someone holds it
The IAPP verifies certifications through its customer support team, so an employer should ask the holder for their certificate number. Holders also receive a digital certificate from Accredible that they can share. Use the issuer’s verification page.
On InfoSecHub, a CIPP/C listed on a profile shows Verified by Credly only when a current Credly badge issued to that person confirms it.
In Canada
The CIPP/C is built around Canadian law, including PIPEDA, substantially similar provincial private-sector laws, CASL, the federal Privacy Act, and provincial health privacy acts.
Typical roles
- Privacy officer
- Privacy analyst
- Privacy lawyer
- Compliance manager
Related frameworks
Official resources
From IAPP. Links open the issuer’s site.
- CIPP/C official page, IAPP
- CIPP/C body of knowledge and exam blueprint, IAPPexam-outline
- IAPP privacy candidate handbook, IAPPhandbook
- Certification FAQs (including verification), IAPPverification
References
- CIPP/C exam (store page with price, question count, and timing), IAPP
- IAPP privacy candidate handbook, version 5.3.2, IAPP
- CIPP/C body of knowledge, version 3.1.0, IAPP
- IAPP certification CPE policy, version 3.3.1, IAPP
- Certification maintenance fee, IAPP
Reviewed 2026-10-12. Exam details, prices, and renewal rules change. Confirm them on the IAPP website before you register. InfoSecHub is not affiliated with IAPP.