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How to apply for the customs broker professional exam

To become a licensed customs broker in Canada, you must first pass the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) professional examination. Passing the test shows you have a sufficient understanding of the laws and procedures for importing and exporting goods.

Application deadline for next exam: October 19, 2026 (mail your application to the CBSA and postmark it on or before the deadline)

Next exam date: November 19, 2026

Prepare your application

You must complete 5 steps for your application to be accepted. If there is any missing information, the CBSA will reject your application and your cheque will be returned or destroyed.

Follow these steps to apply:

  1. Complete Form L55

    Download, complete, and print out the Application for Customs Brokers Examination (Form L55).

  2. Pay the fee

    Include a cheque for $250.55 to the Receiver General for Canada.

    • This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable
    • If your name isn’t written on the cheque, include it on the “memo” line

  3. Provide ID

    Include a scanned copy of a valid piece of ID (not expired). The copy must be clear, legible and issued by a Canadian federal, provincial or territorial government or equivalent abroad.

    Your ID must show your:

    • full name
    • date of birth
    • photo

    Important: If one piece of ID does not have all 3 items, you must provide multiple valid IDs to cover them.

    Acceptable types of ID include:

    • driver’s licence (issued by a province or territory or the equivalent abroad)
    • non-driver’s licence issued by a province or territory
    • Certificate of Indian Status
    • Canadian passport (current or expired within the last 6 months)
    • foreign passport that meets the requirements
    • ID card issued by the federal, provincial or territorial government
    • military or employee identification issued by the federal, provincial or territorial government
    • valid permanent resident card or a permanent resident card (expired for less than 6 months)
    • NEXUS card

  4. Submit your application

    Mail in your completed form and ID copies. Ensure the postmark is dated on or before the application deadline.

    If sending by Canada Post

    Canada Border Services Agency
    Registration Unit
    191 Laurier Avenue West
    12th Floor, Sir Richard Scott Building
    Ottawa, ON  K1A 0L8
    Attn: Customs Brokers Exam

    For all other couriers

    Canada Border Services Agency
    Registration Unit
    2215 Gladwin Crescent, Building C
    Ottawa, ON  K1B 4K9
    Attn: Customs Brokers Exam

  5. Send a confirmation email

    Once you’ve mailed in your application, email us at brokers_licensing-agrement_des_courtiers@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.

    In your email include:

    • your complete name
    • your complete address
    • a scan or photo of your ID document(s)

Exam location and results

Location: The CBSA will conduct exams in at least one urban centre per region across Canada. We will email you the location details one week before the exam date.

On exam day: In order to take the exam, you must present a valid photo ID.

Results: We will email your test results within four weeks of the exam date. The passing grade to receive a customs broker licence is 60%.

Study resources

The CBSA does not provide training courses or study guides; however, we recommend reviewing the list of departmental memoranda with suggested (but not limited to) areas of knowledge to be tested.

If you are looking for formal training, the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers offers the following:

For more information about these courses, contact: courseinfo@cscb.ca.

Contact us

For questions about the exam:

CBSA’s Registration Unit
Email: brokers_licensing-agrement_des_courtiers@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

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