Frequently asked questions

I have a question about Membership

Why should I become a CICM Member?

Why you should join CICM Membership

CICM Membership is an essential tool for professionals in the Credit Management and Collections industry. Being a CICM Member means you are part of a like-minded professional community dedicated to empowering professionals with the skills and knowledge for your personal development. With access to a range of membership benefits that enhance your career, CICM Membership is a must for any professional that cares about their credit career.

How do I renew my CICM Membership?

Check if you need to renew here.

What happens after I submit my application form?

What happens after submitting my professional membership application?

When you apply to Associate, Member or Fellow grades, the Membership team will receive your application form and submit it to our assessor's. Then, the assessor's will validate your attached evidence against the CICM Professional Standards and the decision will be made on whether your application for your grade was successful. This can take a bit of time, but we're more than happy to let you know where your application is at during the current stage.

Who can sponsor my application?

your sponsor should be someone who you work with who can give examples of your recent work and impact it’s had. This should be your line manager or a client. Your second sponsor should be a peer at work or previous line manager. If you have a team working for you, please do not ask them for a sponsor statement in this circumstance, as it’s unlikely they will showcase your skills and experience as well as your manager, peers or clients. If it is not possible for your manager to support your application you may ask a suitable alternative, please provide reasons why when you submit your application. It is not necessary for sponsors to be a CICM member.

I have a question about Qualifications

Do I need to be a member to take exams?

You should be registered as a studying member to take CICM examinations or assessments. If you are studying via an apprenticeship please contact us separately

How long does it take to get a qualification?

Estimated time for each qualification is below: Credit & Collections

Level 2 Award: 3-6 months
Level 2 Certificate: 6-12 months
Level 2 Diploma: 12-18 months
Level 3 Diploma: 24 months
Level 5 Diploma: Average 2 years

Money & Debt Advice

Level 2 Award: 3 months
Level 3 Certificate: 6 months
Level 3 Diploma: 12 Months (Following completion of the Level 3 Certificate)

Taking Control of Goods

Level 2 Award: 90 hours of study with a 1 hour exam
Level 3 Award in Advanced Enforcement: Written assignment to be completed between the entry and submission dates
Level 4 Diploma in High Court Enforcement: Average 2 years

Do you provide reasonable adjustments?

Yes. The CICM has a duty to ensure that the integrity of CICM qualifications and assessment is maintained at all times. However, at the same time the Institute and CICM centres have a duty to ensure that the rights of individual candidates to access qualifications and assessment in a way most appropriate for their individual needs are upheld. Equality legislation and the regulatory criteria give support and guidance to the CICM and centres in creating an inclusive assessment process.