Individuals pursing the CIAO designation are classified as "CIAO Candidates" until their CIAO designation certificate is issued. Becoming a CIAO is a four-step process and must be done in order to obtain your CIAO.
All applications are approved. We use this to enroll you in the CIAO Candidate track within the IPAI Student Portal.
The IPAI Student Portal is where you register and pay for courses and track your progress to become a CIAO. After you obtain your designation, the Student Portal is where you will register for continuing education (CE) courses and track your required CE hours.
To create a profile, click the blue “Account Login” button in the upper right of the website. Once the Student Portal loads, click the “Register Now” box. Your new profile will go into a queue for approval. In most cases, new profiles are approved within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays).
Register for courses in the Student Portal, attend the courses, and pass the exams! Details of which courses you must take are available on the “Become a CIAO” page of the website.
You have four years from the date of your first course to complete all six courses to obtain your CIAO designation.
Learn How to Use the Student Portal
Once a CIAO Candidate has successfully completed all courses, they must request their CIAO Certificate. Your CIAO is not valid nor reported to the IL Department of Revnue until your certificate request has been received.
Please note, this request form is for CIAO Candidates who have recently completed their qualifying courses. Current CIAOs should contact the IPAI office to have their certificates reissued.
Questions? Confused? Need help? Visit the Contact Us page.
