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Certificate in Tribunal Administrative Justice (CTAJ™)

Since January 1, 2009 the Foundation of Administrative Justice offers a Certificate program: Certificate in Tribunal Administrative Justice (CTAJ™)! A first in Canada, this Certificate assists tribunals and participants to evaluate and support competencies in administrative justice roles.

There are three (3) streams to the Certificate. Participants can select the stream that best matches their role or career path.

1. Tribunal Member (for the appointed or elected board members and decision makers)
2. Administrator (for staff and other support personnel)
3. Advocate (for clients, presenters and counsel).

Program Requirements:
All applicants must:

• complete the required courses for a total of 70 hours of classroom training (100% attendance is mandatory)
• obtain 65% or better on the evaluation exam for each course
• complete the Certificate application form
• pay the required exam and application fees.

Courses:
Core courses:
All applicants must complete the core courses - Principles of Administrative Justice and Interpreting Legislation (total of 28 hours).

Required courses:
Applicants need also complete the required courses for their Certificate stream:

1. Tribunal Member - at least two (2) of Decision Making, Decision Writing, Evidence or Effective Hearings
2. Administrator - Case Management Practices
3. Advocate - Presenting Cases.

Elective courses:
All applicants must complete a number of elective courses of their choice to fulfill the total 70 hours of training. The number of hours of elective training will vary by stream. All courses must be from the regular or approved courses offered by FOAJ.

Education Requirements:

 Exam and Application Fees (GST extra):

1. Rewrite Exam - $75.00
2. Challenge Exam - $95.00
3. Refresher Course & Exam - $195.00
4. Certificate Application - $175.00

Exam fees are included in the course registration fee.

FAQ's

1. Do my previous courses count?
2. Do custom courses count?
3. Can I write an exam without taking the course?
4. Do I have to write the exam at the end of my course?
5. Will my course from another provider count?
6. What if I fail the exam?
7. What if I can't find my materials?
8. What is the exam?
9. What is the pass mark?
10. When Do I apply for the Certificate?
11. What happens after I apply for the Certificate?

1. Do my previous courses count?

• For courses taken prior to 2009 the person will be required to attend the course again or complete a refresher course to become eligible to write the exam.
• From January 1, 2011 a course participant must write the exam at the end of the course.  Exams will be offered at the end of every course and the fee is incorporated into the course registration fee.
• From January 1, 2011, should a person choose not to take the examination at the time of taking the course, the person will need to attend the course again or take a refresher course to write the exam.

2. Do custom courses count?
Custom courses delivered by the Foundation may be eligible for credit with prior approval of the Executive Director.

3. Can I write an exam without taking the course?
A person may challenge the written evaluation for one elective course to a maximum of 14 hours training time (other than a Required Elective) if the person wishes to use the credit for the certification without having to attend the course.  FOAJ will not supply matertials for challenge exam.

4. Do I have to write the exam at the end of my course?
• To be eligible for certification credit, a participant must write the exam at the end of the course. From January 1, 2009 forward, anyone registering for a course will be asked if they wish to complete the written exam as part of the course delivery.
• Should a person choose not to take the examination at the time of taking the course, the person will not be given a separate opportunity to write the exam at a later date.
• In order to complete the exam the person will be required to attend the course again and take the exam as part of the delivery or take the refresher and write the exam.

5. Will my course from another provider count?
FAJ will not accept an equivalency for any of its courses for the Certificate. Persons who feel they have an equivalency should consider writing the challenge exam for the one elective course of their choice.

6. What if I fail the exam?
All applicants must obtain 65% or better on all written evaluations (exams). If a person obtains a mark of less than 65%, the following applies to exam eligibility:
If mark is 60-64% (does not include challenge exams), the person may rewrite the exam one time by paying the exam fee. ($75.00)

If the mark is less than 60%, the person must take the refresher course or repeat the course.

• If a person rewrites the exam or takes a refresher course with exam and does not obtain 65%, the person must repeat the course.
• If a person initially wrote a challenge exam does not obtain 65%, the person must take a refresher course or the course.
• All marks given on any written evaluation are final and not subject to negotiation or appeal.

Exam Options Flowchart

7. What if I can't find my materials?
Replacement materials can be purchased for $75.00 per course; participant must have previously taken the course.

8. What is the exam?
An evaluation exam will be delivered at the end of each course.  The exam is open book, and questions are True/False, fill in the blanks, short answer and/or multiple choice.  Questions flow from the materials and course instruction.

 9. What is the pass mark?
All applicants must obtain 65% or better on all written evaluations (exams). 
All marks given on any written evaluation are final and not subject to negotiation or appeal.  

10.  When do I apply for the certificate?
Upon completing all courses for the education stream you have selected complete the CTAJ Application Form. 

 11.  What happens after I apply for the Certificate?
When the FOAJ office receives the application, staff will review the application to ensure it is complete and meets all requirements.  The application will be processed after FOAJ receives payment of the application fee.  Once all requirements are met, we will advise you by letter or email that your CTAJ can be granted.  The actual delivery of the Certificate for all elegible graduates occurs at the graduation ceremony which takes place our Annual General Meeting in the spring of each year.  Each graduate receives an invitation to the graduation.  If you are unable to attend, we will mail your Certificate after the graduation ceremony.  You can advise your organization that you have applied for CTAJ.  When we send you confirmation that you have met all requirements, you can update your organization.  You will not be able to show the Certificate or give a copy until after the Graduation ceremony.