GAICC certification is open to any candidate who meets the published eligibility criteria for their chosen certification. There is no discrimination, and reasonable adjustments are available on request.
The training requirement is provider-neutral
GAICC requires a minimum number of structured training contact hours before the examination — but you choose the provider. GAICC does offer its own optional self-paced course; it is one option among three and is never required, never preferred, and never advantaged in the examination. No provider has access to live examination content, and anyone who trained a candidate is excluded from that candidate's certification decision.
Three ways to complete your training
Each certification requires a minimum number of structured training contact hours before the examination. You may meet that requirement by any of these three routes:
Option 1 — GAICC self-paced course
GAICC offers its own optional self-paced course covering the required contact hours for your certification. It is one way to meet the requirement — it is not mandatory, is not required for certification, and confers no advantage in the examination.
- Fully self-paced eLearning on the GAICC learning platform
- Certificate of completion evidencing your contact hours
- Purchased separately from the examination fee
Option 2 — GAICC authorized training partners
Authorized Training Partners deliver the required hours in your region, instructor-led or online. Partners are approved against published criteria and are audited; they have no access to live examination content and no role in certification decisions.
- Instructor-led (in person or live virtual) or partner-delivered eLearning
- Certificate of completion stating provider, programme, hours and date
- Find a partner via the GAICC partner directory
Option 3 — Any equivalent recognised institution
You may complete the required hours through any equivalent recognised institution — a university, professional body, employer training function or independent provider — provided the training addresses the learning outcomes in the Exam Content Outline and you can evidence it.
- Training may be online or in person
- Must be evidenced by a certificate of completion stating the provider, programme title, duration (contact hours) and completion date
- Hours may have been earned at any time in your career, before application
- Applications may be selected for audit to verify training documentation
The standard wording, published in every Exam Content Outline and Candidate Handbook:
"Completion of at least [X] contact hours of structured [subject] training delivered by GAICC-authorized providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses."
Eligibility Requirements
| Certification | Training required | Recommended Experience |
|---|---|---|
| ISO/IEC 42001 Foundation | Completion of at least 16 contact hours of structured ISO/IEC 27001 Foundation training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended Experience: No experience. |
| ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer | Completion of at least 32 contact hours of structured ISO/IEC 42001 implementation training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. Holders of the GAICC ISO/IEC 42001 Foundation certification are deemed to meet this training requirement. | Recommended Experience: AI governance and implementation professionals leading or supporting an AIMS implementation. |
| ISO/IEC 42001 Senior Lead Implementer | Completion of at least 40 contact hours of structured ISO/IEC 42001 implementation training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. Holders of the GAICC ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer certification are deemed to meet this 40-hour training requirement. | Recommended Experience: Senior implementation and governance leaders. |
| ISO/IEC 42001 Internal Auditor | Completion of at least 32 contact hours of structured Internal Auditor training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended Experience: Internal auditors and assurance staff auditing an AIMS. |
| ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor | Completion of at least 32 contact hours of structured ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended Experience: Auditors and governance professionals leading AIMS audits. |
| ISO/IEC 42001 Senior Lead Auditor | Completion of at least 40 contact hours of structured Senior Lead Auditor training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended Experience: Experienced lead auditors operating at audit-team-leader level on complex engagements. |
| ISO/IEC 27001 Foundation | Completion of at least 16 contact hours of structured ISO/IEC 27001 Foundation training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | No experience recommended. |
| ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer | Completion of at least 32 contact hours of structured ISO/IEC 27001 implementation training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended Experience: Foundation-level knowledge of ISO/IEC 27001 is recommended; implementation experience is beneficial. |
| ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor | Completion of at least 32 contact hours of structured ISO/IEC 27001 lead-audit training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended Experience: Foundation-level knowledge of ISO/IEC 27001 and familiarity with auditing. |
| Certified Professional in AI Governance (CPAIG) | Completion of at least 28–30 contact hours of structured CPAIG training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended Experience: AI governance, risk, compliance and audit practitioners working across jurisdictions. |
| AI Cost & Control Professional (AICCP) | Completion of at least 30 contact hours of structured AICCP training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions is required before sitting the exam. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended: professional experience in cost engineering, project controls, estimating, scheduling or a related discipline. |
| Certified AI Project Professional (CAIPP) | Completion of at least 32 contact hours of structured CAIPP training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions is required before sitting the exam. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended: professional experience in project management, delivery, or a related project role. |
| Certified AI HR Professional (CAIHRP) | Completion of at least 32 contact hours of structured CAIHRP training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions is required before sitting the exam. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended: professional experience in HR, people analytics or a related people-profession role. |
| Certified AI Law & Compliance Professional (CAILCP) | Completion of at least 24–26 contact hours of structured CAILCP training delivered by GAICC-authorised providers or equivalent recognised institutions is required before sitting the exam. Students can also fulfil this requirement by completing GAICC self-paced courses. | Recommended Experience: Lawyers, compliance officers, DPOs, legal-operations and governance professionals. |
Evidence of training
Training may be delivered online or in person and must be evidenced by a certificate of completion stating the provider, programme title, duration (contact hours) and completion date. All hours must be completed before you submit your application, but may have been earned at any point in your career. Applications may be selected for audit to verify training documentation.
Education and experience
Education and experience expectations vary by credential — some are open entry, others expect a qualification plus relevant years. The specific criteria for each certification are published free of charge in its Exam Content Outline and Candidate Handbook on the Certifications page.