FAQs

If you're looking to excel in the skills that are crucial for an in-house legal career, this certification program is the perfect solution for you. It will help you establish yourself as an indispensable asset to the corporate client. In-house attorneys may have various responsibilities and work across various departmental settings. This program is thoughtfully designed to deliver value, whether you want to enhance your service to the corporate client or advance your career. Moreover, the program offers an unparalleled opportunity to network with participants from all around the world. 

Eligible participants are licensed attorneys who either a) are currently employed as in-house counsel (no minimum experience required), or b) previously have been employed as in-house counsel (for a minimum of one year). Please note that attorneys currently employed at law firms are not eligible to participate in this program. Eligibility is not tied to a specific country; participants may be licensed attorneys from any jurisdiction.  Membership of the Association of Corporate Counsel is not required to participate in this program.

The certification program is conducted in English and consists of the following components:

Online Self-pace Modules: Upon registration, participants will receive access to eight (8) online self-paced modules that will provide them with a good insight into the program curriculum before they participate in the virtual workshop. 

Virtual Workshops: The second component is a series of virtual workshops (24 hours in total) that include online group projects and activities to encourage the exchange of ideas and networking with peers. These workshops are held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday scheduled over two weeks, for three hours each day. 

Final Assessment: Participants will be evaluated through in-class exercises and the final assessment. Participants will undertake a self-paced online assessment (50 multiple-choice questions) on the last day of the workshops. Those who obtain a passing score will be awarded the credential of In-house Counsel Certified (ICC). 

Certification Maintenance: The ICC designation is valid for one year from the month that a candidate passes the final assessment. After the first year, ICC certificants maintain their certification by engaging in continuing legal professional development (CLPD) activities and paying an annual fee of US$95 for ACC members and US$150 for non-members.
 

Yes, to get the certification, participants must attend each workshop and pass the certification assessment. If you could not attend a session, due to an extraordinary situation, please contact certification@acc.com.com to learn about your options.

Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of attendance that can be used to self-report their credit hours to their jurisdictions. ACC does not apply for CLE credits on behalf of the participant. The certification program provides up to 21 hours of education according to participant attendance at the virtual workshops.

The program offers different fees for members and non-members of ACC. The non-member fee includes a one-year ACC membership. To check out the pricing details, please visit the Certification Fees section. Payment is required at the time of applying for admission to the program. We highly recommend participants register early to enjoy discounted rates. The early-bird rate ends 15 days before the start of the event. All fees are in US Dollars.

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) provides a limited number of half-price scholarships for its in-house counsel certification program to eligible individuals. ACC members who have already incurred the expense of ACC membership dues are given priority. Only those who meet the criteria for program registration and attendance can apply for the scholarship. All requests for financial assistance are kept confidential. Applicants must fill out an application form describing their financial need for assistance. The scholarship will be awarded on a case-by-case basis and may require supporting documentation.

Visit our registration page for information on the next certification training programs. Your registration will be completed upon submission of your contact information, attestation to the policies and procedures outlined in the ACC Credentialing Institute Handbook, and payment.
 

Yes, The ICC designation is valid for one year from the month that a participant passes the program’s final assessment. After the first year, 10 hours of continuing legal professional development (CLPD) and a fee are required annually to maintain the ICC designation.

a) A minimum of four (4) hours must pertain to education in any of the following categories:  

Stakeholder relationships 
Law department management  
Legal services 

b) The remaining education hours may be of any substantive areas of law towards fulfilling the total of 10 hours annual requirement (for example, ethics, employment law, intellectual property, data privacy, etc.).

The annual maintenance fee for members of the Association of Corporate Counsel is US$95. For non-members, the annual maintenance fee is US$150. 

ACCCI is implementing a new certification maintenance cycle. In the past, you were required to maintain your certification annually at your anniversary date. Now, you will follow the deadlines below to report your continuing education and pay your annual fee to stay in good standing with your ICC designation. 

     Have you completed your certification in the first semester of the year (January to June)?
Remember to report your continuing education and make the annual payment before June 30th of each year. 

     Have you completed your certification in the second semester of the year (July to December)?
Remember to report your continuing education and make the annual payment before December 31st of each year.

Certificants that fail to renew their certification will have their designation lapsed. The change in status will be effective no later than 30 days after the renewal date. The lapsed certificant must refrain from using the initials ICC next to their name and they will be removed from the Certification Verification page.