CGA Fellowship
Fellows of the Canadian Gemmological Association are gemmologists with a strong grasp of both theory and practice who have demonstrated their mastery of the field through their success on standardized qualifying examinations.
Fellowship Exam Dates
January 2025 Session
- Preliminary level: January 27, 2025
- Professional level
- Theory: January 28, 2025
- Practical: January 29, 2025
June 2025 Session
- Preliminary level: June 16, 2025
- Professional level
- Theory: June 17, 2025
- Practical: June 18, 2025
Gem-A Exam Dates
January 2025 Session
- Foundation level: January 21, 2025
- Diploma level
- Diploma: January 22, 2025
- Practical: TBA
June 2025 Session
- Foundation level: June 23, 2025
- Diploma level
- Diploma: June 24, 2025
- Practical: June 25, 2025
Overview
Fellows of the Canadian Gemmological Association are gemmologists with a strong grasp of both theory and practice who have demonstrated their mastery of the field through their success on standardized qualifying examinations. In the absence of government regulation of gemmologists in Canada or elsewhere, qualifications from reputable, recognized gemmological institutions worldwide are the primary means by which a potential customer or employer can identifypractitioners with sound, scientifically based training.
The CGA’s professional gemmology training is offered directly by the CGA as an Ontario government-approved Private Career College program, and elsewhere by affiliated schools. Regardless of the setting in which the program is delivered, whether as a certificate program or non-credit education, core content is standardized, and qualifying examinations provide screening to identify candidates for Fellowship. Fellows must be accepted by the Board of Directors, and Fellowship provides qualified individuals with professional credentials that have long been recognized within the gemmological community.
The field of gemmology is constantly changing, and gemmological skills become rusty. Fellows are required to renew their status annually, and are encouraged to keep up with news in the field, participate in the community, and attend conferences and training workshops to keep their expertise up-to-date.
Only current Fellows in good standing may use the FCGmA credentials or display their Fellowship certificates in a public place. The public is invited to contact the CGA office to verify the current status of those advertising FCGmA credentials.
Fellowship Qualifying Examinations
Examinations provide a standardized objective assessment of a candidate’s grasp of gemmology and demonstrate that course material has been retained well enough to be applied under pressure and in the absence of the internet and reference texts.
Examinations are divided into two levels which correspond to the two portions of the part-time professional gemmology program. Candidates who have completed either the part-time or full-time programs with the CGA or an affiliate (Vancouver Community College, George Brown College or Nova Scotia College of Art and Design) are eligible to write these exams at the discounted rate of $500.00 per exam. Beginning January 2023 others who wish to challenge the CGA Fellowship Qualifying exam will be required to pay the rate of $1,000.00 per exam.
The exams are structured as follows:
- Preliminary-level exam
- consists of two written papers, each of three hours duration
- written the morning and afternoon of the same day
- a certificate is awarded to acknowledge a pass of 67% or higher.
- Professional-level exams
- Theory
- consists of two written papers, each of three hours duration
- written the morning and afternoon of the same day
- Practical
- normally scheduled for the day after the theory papers
- Theory
Examinations are written in Toronto and at affiliate sites in January and June of each year.
Preliminary-level Theory: $500.00
Professional-level Theory: $500.00
Professional-level Practical: $500.00
Registration forms may be downloaded from the Course Forms page.
Preliminary-level Theory: $1,000.00
Professional-level Theory: $1,000.00
Professional-level Practical: $1,000.00
Registration forms may be downloaded from the Course Forms page.
More About Fellowship
The Canadian Gemmological Association’s structure is in part modeled on the British system that recognizes fellows as “members of a group of learned people who work together as peers in the pursuit of mutual knowledge or practice” (Wikipedia). Fellows form the highest grade of membership in many professional and learned societies, such as the Royal College of Surgeons, and the Royal Society of London.
Fellowship with the CGA is earned in several steps:
- candidates must complete the CGA’s professional gemmology program as offered at the CGA or a registered CGA affiliate. Delivery of course material is standardized between sites.
- candidates must pass the CGA Fellowship Qualifying Examinations
- candidates must be voted in as Fellows by the CGA Board of Directors
The designation FCGmA (Fellow of the Canadian Gemmological Association) verifies that the holder has met the standards of the Association and demonstrated a mastery of the theory and practice of gemmology as delivered in the professional program. Unlike a degree from an educational institution, Fellowship must be renewed annually to retain the right to use the FCGmA designation.
More About Earning Your Gem-A Designation
Starting September 2017, students who have completed the CGA’s professional gemmology program, and have passed their Canadian exams and have earned their credentials as an FCGmA (Fellow of the Canadian Gemmological Association), now have the opportunity to write their Gem-A exams (Diploma and Practical) and gain their FGA credentials WITHOUT taking the Gem-A course. Please see the following links on our partnership with Gem-A.