Integrated Compliance & Ethics Professional (ICEP™)

The ICEP is a certification designed for those who help protect organizational value by ensuring that systems are in place to comply with mandatory and voluntary obligations.

This certification is your current focus. If you want to change your focus, remove your focus from this certification and pick another one to focus on.

(NEW) Integrated Compliance & Ethics Professional (ICEP) is your current focus. Go to your program dashboard for more information on resources and examination.

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Become a versatile professional who integrates governance, strategy, performance, risk, compliance, ethics, security, privacy, and audit to achieve Principled Performance. The GRC Professional (GRCP) certification demonstrates that you have the understanding and skills to apply GRC in your organization.

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Compliance is for all Professionals

Compliance & Ethics skills are part of the core competencies every GRC professional should have.

Get certified to prove your knowledge.

What is the ICEP?

The Integrated Compliance & Ethics Professional (ICEP) certification offers the most comprehensive, modern, and versatile certification program for compliance and ethics.

The ICEP certification is different from others because it doesn't focus on a specific role like "compliance officer". Instead, it focusses on how different GRC professionals in an organization can ensure compliant and ethical operations in their field.

The ICEP uniquely integrates the principles and practices from departments such as:

  • Compliance
  • Ethics
  • Internal controls
  • Business conduct
  • Regulatory compliance

This diverse and interdisciplinary approach ensures that you have the skills to provide compliance and ethics services throughout the organization.

Although “Compliance & Ethics” primarily focuses on “Acting with Integrity” and the “Compliance” aspects of Principled Performance, it must also encompass a broader view of organizational conduct. This includes integrating ethical principles into all business operations and decisions, ensuring that every action aligns not only with legal standards but also with the organization's core values and ethical guidelines.

What does the ICEP Cover?

The ICEP is based on the essential body of knowledge used daily by GRC Professionals who provide compliance and ethics.

It covers:

  • Using GRC for Compliance and Ethics
  • The Compliance & Ethics Model
  • Key Compliance and Ethics Risk Areas

Is ICEP right for me?

ICEP is perfect for anyone who works in compliance, ethics, HR, information security, ethics, internal control, risk management, governance, quality control, security, continuity, audit, assurance, or IT.

ICEP helps you ensure the compliance and ethics of operations.

Our certifications are open and accessible to all professionals. We accept candidates from diverse cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds. We do not require specific experience or educational degrees to apply.

Here are some of the functions that may need to provide compliance in an organization and that can benefit from the ICEP:

  • Compliance
  • Ethics
  • HR
  • Data Protection
  • Information Security
  • Internal Control
  • Risk Management
  • Internal Audit
  • Financial Controllers
  • Quality Control
  • External Audit
  • Board of Directors, Management, or Heads of functions.

Join Professionals from Around the World

  • Proud to announce that I've also earned the ICEP certification by OCEG! The Integrated Compliance & Ethics Professional (ICEP) certification validates my expertise and skills to provide compliance and ethics services throughout the organization.
    Danah A.
  • To GRC professionals, I highly recommend the ICEP certification. This program helps to improve skills in performing Compliance & Ethics key tasks.
    Ahmed S.
  • I'm thrilled to announce that I've passed the Integrated Compliance & Ethics Professional (ICEP) exam and am now certified by the OCEG & GRC Certify from the ICEP Alpha Early Release Sprint. It was an honor and a pleasure to complete this rigorous program
    Mahmoud E.

When should I get ICEP?

The Integrated Compliance and Ethics Certification (ICEP) is a versatile certification designed to meet the diverse needs of professionals at various stages of their careers. The ICEP certification can be useful throughout a career, such as in the following scenarios:

Starter
For early-career professionals, the ICEP certification helps you ensure that your work meets high standards of quality, setting you apart from your peers. By knowing compliance and ethics skills, you can contribute effectively to your department's goals, you can add significant value to your role. The ICEP equips you with the tools and techniques to ensure that your efforts drive your department and your career to new heights.

Enhancer
For those looking to enhance their skills in GRC, the ICEP provides the core compliance and ethics knowledge needed. It enables you to apply compliance and ethics in your work processes, offering benefits such as:

- Compliance Specialists: Ensuring that various functions adhere to rules, regulations, and policies.
- Financial Auditors: Verifying that financial operations comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
- Environmental Compliance Managers: Ensuring that organizational practices meet environmental laws and sustainability standards.

Capstone
At advanced career stages, where you're managing teams or multiple operations, the ICEP certification ensures that your operations are functioning as intended. As a leader, you act as a Protector, providing stakeholders with confidence that compliance and ethics risks are properly addressed. This certification is crucial for ensuring that your managerial oversight effectively mitigates potential risks and aligns with organizational goals.

ICEP is for new and experienced professionals

How do I get the ICEP Certification?

All of our certifications use a similar streamlined process. We pride ourselves on simplicity and accessibility. All of our exams are online and available at any time. No need to schedule! We include everything you need as part of your All Access Pass. To be clear, everything is included for no additional fees.

  1. 1. Get All Access Pass

    Our All Access Pass provides everything you need to prepare for the IAAP and all of our other certification exams. One fee for education, preparation, certification, and maintenance.

    Everything is included for no additional fees.

  2. 2. Prepare for ICEP

    Study the essential body of knowledge, follow the on-demand video courses or attend a live online course.

    Our self-study programs are delivered in English.

    Essential body of knowledge and self-study are included for no additional fees.

  3. 3. Apply for ICEP

    Our certifications are open and accessible to all professionals. We accept candidates from diverse cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds.

    We do not require specific experience or educational degrees to apply.

    Just complete a simple form at the beginning of the exam to update your information and agree to the code of conduct.

    Application is included for no additional fees.

  4. 4. Earn the ICEP (Pass!)

    Access the online exam anywhere and anytime.

    The exam is limited to two hours (120 minutes) to answer 100 questions. Correctly answer 70 questions to pass. Exams are "open book," which means that you may use Google and other resources while taking an exam.

    You can retake an exam up to six times per year to pass it.

    All retakes are included for no additional fees.

  5. 5. Maintain the IAAP

    Participate in the streamlined Unified Certification Maintenance program to maintain your certification. All continuing education is automatically tracked and administered under this unified program. Whenever you watch a video or attend an event on our website, it is automatically tracked and counted toward your certifications as appropriate.

    DOUBLE CREDIT! One CPE credit may track to multiple certifications. For example, a course on “Risk Assessments” counts toward all certifications that use Risk Assessment skills.

    All maintenance and CPEs are included for no additional fees.

  6. 6. BONUS! Add More Certifications

    Apply to gain additional certifications. We add new certifications regularly.

    All certifications are included for no additional fees.

FAQ about Preparing for ICEP

How long does it take to prepare for ICEP?

Preparation time varies based on your experience. People who pass the exam report anywhere from 2 hours to 40 hours of preparation before the exam.

This wide range is explained by the differences in background. If you are more experienced in compliance, then less time may be required to prepare vs. someone who is new to the field.

What is the best way to prepare for ICEP?

To study for the ICEP, we recommend that you:

  • Carefully study the ICEP body of knowledge
  • Attend online self-study ICEP course
  • (optionally) Attend an online LIVE! course
  • Practice exam questions
How do I get ICEP Training?

We offer ICEP via self-study or by attending a live online course.

What does it cost to get ICEP training?

All of our self-study preparation courses are included for no additional fees. This means that ICEP is part of your All Access Pass.

Our global training partners charge separate fees for in-person experiences delivered in the localized language. These experiences also provide additional context and examples so that you understand how to implement solutions.

FAQ about the ICEP Exam

How do I schedule the ICEP Exam?

All of our exams are online and available at any time. No need to schedule!

How do I apply for the IAAP exam?

Applying for ICEP is simple! If you are already an OCEG member, we have most of the information necessary. Just complete a simple form at the beginning of the exam to update your information and agree to the code of conduct.

As a reminder, our certifications are open and accessible to all professionals. We accept candidates from diverse cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds. We do not require specific experience or educational degrees to apply.

How difficult is the IAAP Exam?

Most people who pass the exam report that they carefully studied the ICEP body of knowledge and completed the ICEP course.

Those who fail tend to pass on a subsequent attempt if they study and complete the ICEP course or attend a training course.

In other words ... STUDY and WATCH the videos or attend a class if you want to pass the exam.

What is on the ICEP Exam?

The ICEP certification exam assesses your knowledge and ability to apply compliance & ethics principles. The exam content is weighted as follows:

Using GRC for Compliance and Ethics

Weighting: minimum 20%, maximum 30%

  • Define integrated compliance & ethics
  • Understand the objectives of integrated compliance & ethics
  • Be able to use key principles for effective compliance & ethics
  • Know key GRC concepts in compliance & ethics
  • Be able to use models and frameworks for compliance & ethics

The Compliance & Ethics Model

Weighting: minimum 40%, maximum 60%

  • Be able to analyze the internal and external context of an organization, its culture and stakeholders
  • Know how to align compliance and ethics efforts with the direction and objectives of an organization
  • Identify and analyze risks, opportunities and obligations
  • Design effective compliance & ethics programs
  • Know how to put in place effective compliance & ethics controls, policies
  • Be able to put in place proper communication and education strategies and effective incentives
  • Know how to put in place notification and inquiry systems for compliance & ethics
  • Be able to respond to compliance and ethical incidents
  • Ensure monitoring and assurance measures are in place for reviewing compliance & ethics programs
  • Be able to bring improvements to compliance and ethics programs

Key Compliance and Ethics Risk Areas

Weighting: minimum 20%, maximum 30%

  • Understand key concepts of organizational misconduct
  • Be able to identify and mitigate corruption and bribery
  • Know how to put in place measures to protect data and privacy
  • Be able to put in place effective anti-money laundering and sanctions programs
  • Understand key concepts in fair competition and anti-trust laws
How was the ICEP Exam developed?

Topics and questions were determined by conducting an extensive job analysis. Participants in the job analysis were asked to analyze skills and determine their significance to a GRC professional, executive, or auditor. The job analysis and other research yielded a blueprint that serves as a competency model for the ICEP.

We update the ICEP periodically to reflect important and relevant changes in GRC disciplines and practices.

How many questions are on the ICEP Exam?

There are 100 scored questions and up to 15 unscored questions on the exam. We calculate your final score on the 100 scored questions. Scored questions have gone through a rigorous validation process.

The unscored questions are used to introduce and validate new questions without affecting your score. However, the unscored items are not labeled – so make sure you answer each question as if it counts!

All questions are multiple choice.

How do I pass the ICEP Exam?

You have 2 hours to complete the exam. You must correctly answer 70 of the 100 scored items.

Is the ICEP Exam "open book" like the real world?

Yes! The ICEP Exam is open-book, which means that you may use Google and other resources while taking the exam.

We believe that the exam process should reflect modern reality and user experiences. In your job, you use Google and online resources daily. You should be able to use these resources when you learn and when you take the exam.

However, don't be fooled! The exam is challenging even with the help of these resources.

When do I find out if I passed the ICEP?

You get your result immediately after taking the exam. If you pass, your certificate is immediately available for sharing and printing.

What happens if I fail the IAAP and how many times can I take the exam?

You may retake the exam up to six (6) times per year. Almost everyone is able to accomplish this goal. We believe that certification should be part of the learning process and help reinforce understanding and not just be a point-in-time proof of memorized knowledge.

Consider being fully prepared each time that you attempt the exam. Our database of questions is extensive, so it is unlikely that you will see the same questions each time that you attempt the exam.

FAQ about Maintaining ICEP

How long is my certificate valid?
  1. When a certificate is awarded, it is awarded for a full year starting on the day you passed the exam.
  2. Your first full year has no CPE requirement (because you spent at least 8 hours preparing for and taking the exam).
  3. Starting your second year, you must earn at least eight (8) credits of continuing education related to the certification topic annually.
  4. When a certificate renews, it renews for a full year. Automatic renewal on the day of certificate expiration happens if both of these conditions are true: a) Member has an active AAP and b) CPE requirement has been met (if applicable).
  5. If the expiration date passes and you do not meet both conditions, you have a grace period of 90 days to fulfil the requirements (renewing your AAP and/or getting enough credits). After the grace period is over, your certification gets deleted from our records, and certificates are no longer available for display.
Do I need to recertify every year?

NO! You only need to pass the exam once every five (5) years. We use continuing education requirements to ensure that you stay current with new developments.

How do I maintain the ICEP?

Maintaining ALL of your certifications is simple and straightforward. We use a Unified Certification Maintenance program on our website. Whenever you watch a video or attend an event on our website, it is automatically tracked and counted toward your certification.

You can see all of your current CPE credits on your Certification Dashboard and CPE Transcript.

The unified program allows you to track one CPE credit to multiple certifications. So, for example, a course on “Risk Assessments” would count toward not only THIS certification but also ALL other certifications that rely on Risk Assessment skills.

How do I submit CPEs for the ICEP?

You don’t have to!

All continuing education for OCEG certifications is automatically tracked and administered under a unified program on our website.

Whenever you watch a video or attend an event, such as a webinar on our website, it is automatically tracked and counted toward your IAAP (or other OCEG certifications as appropriate).

You may also manually submit CPEs from other pre-approved continuing education experiences.

You can check your CPE progress at any time on your CPE Dashboard.

Do I get "double credit" for CPEs?

Yes! Many of our continuing education experiences count toward multiple OCEG certifications. The unified program also allows you to track one CPE credit to multiple certifications. This means that a single webinar or course can count toward one or more of your certifications.

One experience. Multiple credits.

So, for example, a course on “Risk Assessments” would count toward not only IAAP but also several other certifications that rely on Risk Assessment skills.