A Quick Look at the Automotive Certification Course

On November 15, 1999, a mandatory Certification Course for new dealers and salespersons in Ontario was implemented. The course is the result of a collaborative effort between the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council and Georgian College's Canadian Automotive Institute (CAI) .

What is the Certification Course?

OMVIC's Certification Course is the first mandatory course for dealers and salespersons in Canada. The course is a clear demonstration of this industry's commitment to increasing the professionalism and accountability of its members.

What is the process of certification?

• Complete Georgian College's Part-time Student Registration form for the Automotive Certification Course. Please ensure your name on this enrollment form matches exactly the information appearing on your photo ID (driver's licence, health card or passport). If for any reason you are concerned about whether any past record would result in a proposal to refuse your application for registration under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA) inquire with OMVIC.
• Submit the enrollment form to Georgian college by fax or mail. Payment of the $345 onsite (or $240 self study) tuition fee is accepted by Visa, MasterCard or American Express. 
• The Canadian Automotive Institute will send you confirmation of your enrollment by the next business day, including your student number, the course material, instructions and a listing of test centres throughout Ontario.
• Once you have your student number, complete and send in your application(s) for registration under the MVDA to OMVIC along with all pertinent documentation and processing fees. If you are a new dealer, your application can not be approved until you have completed the course.
• When you have completed your studies, contact the test centre most convenient to you and inquire about their business hours and appointment times if necessary.
• Take the test at the centre. Make sure to bring your enrollment confirmation page – which includes your student number – and a piece of photo ID.
• CAI will mark the test and forward the results to you within two business days of receiving the test from the test centre. Test marks will also be sent to OMVIC.
• Salespersons must successfully complete the test prior to the expiry of the Conditional Registration Certificate. If OMVIC is not notified that you have successfully completed the test, your registration will be cancelled and you will not be able to sell vehicles.
• If you do not achieve the required mark, you must register again and take the course over.

Who is required to take the Course?

As stated in OMVIC's Individual Registration Application form, all applicants must take into consideration the following requirements:

• New sole proprietors, partners, corporate officers or directors, new applicants who will have active control of the day-to-day operations of the dealership or new salespersons for new dealer applicants must enroll and pass the certification course before their applications can be approved.
• New salespersons for currently registered dealers must enroll and complete the Certification Course before their applications can be approved. 
• Salespersons applying for reinstatement, who have been terminated for less than two years do not have to take the course, unless applying as one of the partners or officers of a dealership or as the person who will have effective control over the day-to-day operations of a dealership.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for more details