Register for the Professional Certification Exams

The Gold Standard of Editing

Being certified by Editors Canada is the recognition of an editor's high level of professional knowledge and skill. In today's competitive job market, certification demonstrates your expertise—and gives you a marketing advantage.

Editors Canada typically offers two professional certification exams each year, on a two-year rotation.   

In 2022, we are offering the copy-editing editing and stylistic editing exams.  

Exam Registration

Registration opens on 27 July 2022 and closes on 21 October 2022. Direct links to register are provided below.

Register for both the Copy-Editing and Stylistic Editing exams

Register for the Copy-Editing exam 

Register for the Stylistic Editing exam 

Professional certification exams for structural editing and proofreading will be offered in 2023.

Exam Format

In 2022, the copy-editing and stylistic editing exams will be offered remotely only, and onscreen, in Microsoft Word. For further details on how the exam will be administered, visit the Professional Certification page.

Exam Date 2022

Copy-editing        Saturday, November 19, 2022    10 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time

Stylistic editing    Saturday, November 19, 2022     2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time

Exam Fees 

Cancellation: If Editors Canada cancels an exam for which you have registered, you'll have the opportunity to either transfer your registration or receive a full refund of your registration fees. If you cancel your registration for any other reason and the association receives written notice of your cancellation on or before October 28, 2022, Editors Canada will refund your registration less a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after October 28, 2021.

Exam Format

In 2022, the exams will be offered remotely and onscreen (as in 2020 and 2021).   

(Previously, professional certification exams were typically offered at official exam sites in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa. We also offered them from time to time in other locations within Canada if we received enough applications from candidates there.)

In 2022, we will offer two methods of taking the exam:

• Remote testing: This will be the default option, by which candidates will write the exam on their own computer at home (PC or Mac). We'll provide you with the exam in Word (.docx) format and ask you to download it, complete it and upload it within the exam time frame. You will need to have reliable Internet access and Microsoft Word installed on your home computer (NOT Google Docs). You should also have a quiet, private space in your home during the exam, in which to write the exam.

Or

• Self-arranged testing: If you do not have reliable Internet access or a subscription to Microsoft Word, you can take advantage of this option, whereby you arrange to write the exam at a test location that’s convenient for you, providing it meets certain criteria and you can arrange for a suitable invigilator and computer. Email us for details, or visit the Criteria for Self-Arranged Testing section. Submit the details (location and invigilator) for approval along with your registration by October 21, 2022. Candidates must follow all applicable local rules and laws for physical distancing, masking, and other safety measures while in their arranged space.