The STEP Canada Diploma in Trusts and Estates is the leading educational pathway to the internationally recognized Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation, with 95% of new TEPs earning their designation through the diploma program. It is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their technical knowledge and advance their expertise in trusts and estates.
The diploma is the preferred route for professionals to achieve the internationally recognized TEP designation, with 95% of new TEPs qualifying this way.
Earning the STEP Canada Diploma demonstrates a strong commitment to professional excellence and distinguishes you as a trusted advisor in the field. Graduates who meet the required industry experience criteria are eligible to earn the internationally recognized TEP designation and full STEP membership.
COURSE ONE
This course introduces the core principles of Canadian trust law and provides the theoretical foundation for the STEP Canada Diploma Program. Students examine the legal nature of trusts, how trusts are created and interpreted, and how they may be used to achieve client objectives.
COURSE TWO
Develop your understanding of the Canadian tax principles that apply to trusts and estates. Explore the tax consequences of creating and administering a trust, distributions to beneficiaries, taxation following death, and the first year of an estate.
COURSE THREE
This course develops your understanding of the legal and practical considerations involved in wills, trusts, and estate administration. Explore the law of wills, will preparation, probate fee planning, and the implications of dying without a will.
COURSE FOUR
Building on the knowledge developed throughout the first three courses, this course provides a practical framework for applying key concepts and technical expertise to complex trust and estate planning matters.
Flexible online learning with optional live-virtual exam prep sessions.
Complete four self-paced courses in multidisciplinary topics areas.
Six hours/week
Finish in as little as 1.5 years, or take up to four (4) years.*
$1,095 per course + applicable taxes
Course fees include all reading and practice materials, as well as instructor support and live virtual sessions offered during the exam-preparation period, plus one online examination attempt.
Online exams are offered twice yearly, on the last Monday of May and the first Monday of November.
Director, Advanced Planning
Partner at Stevenson Hood Thornton Beaubier LLP
Director of Estate Planning
Senior Advisor, Doane Grant Thornton LLP
High Net Worth Planner, TD Wealth, Wealth Advisory Services
Director, Advanced Planning
The STEP Canada Diploma in Trusts and Estates is the most common pathway to the TEP designation and is the leading program for professionals seeking specialized knowledge in trusts and estates.