Certified Internal Investigator – Certification Program

• Complete the Advanced Employee Relations and Investigations Certificate.
   
• Complete an application describing previous investigation experience and receive approval to participate in this certification program. (An application for the Certified Internal Investigator -Certification Program can be submitted prior to completing the Employee Relations and Investigations Certificate; but approval will be contingent upon completing the Certificate and registering for the Internal Investigations Competencies review class and exam.)
   
• Register for the Internal Investigations Competencies review session and exam with ILR Customer Service at ilrcustomerservice@cornell.edu upon completion of the Advanced Employee Relations and Internal Investigations Certificate.
   
• Complete a required virtual mandatory Internal Investigations Competencies review class.
   
• Pass the online exam.

Application Process and Minimum Requirements

• 
  Experience Requirements:
  • Minimum of two (2) years in an employee relations, human resources, compliance, and/or investigator role within the last 5 years.
  • In that role, have conducted at least five (5) investigations as the lead investigator into allegations of workplace policy violations (i.e., harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, compliance, security).

Description of the Review and Exam:

• The mandatory Internal Investigations Competencies review class will be taught to prepare students for the certification exam.
  • It will consist of three (3), two and a half hour (2.5 hour) sessions conducted on Zoom and there will be work assigned between classes. Full attendance is required.
  • It will use a case study to review the specific components of the Cornell ILR Internal Investigations Model and Guidelines for Identify the Issues Intake Interview, Investigate the Issues and Conclude the Investigation.
  • A rubric will be provided with Internal Investigations competencies expected for passing the exam.

• The exam will be:
  • Pass/fail and based on the Cornell ILR Internal Investigations Model and Guidelines.
  • The exam will be based on a case study, and you will be required to pass each part:
    • Part 1 – Conduct a live intake interview on Zoom with an instructor.
    • Part 2 – Conduct an asynchronous investigation based on case study information provided, i.e., submit plan for conducting investigation, identify issues, draft interview questions for investigation interviews.
    • Part 3- Make findings and conclusions based on identified policies.

Fee: $2,500 for the certification review session and exam

If you would like to apply for Cornell Certified Internal Investigator (CCII) Certification Program, please complete this form and answer all of the questions.

Prior to applying, review the requirements for Certification. The application can be submitted prior to receiving the Advanced Employee Relations and Internal Investigations Certificate. The approval will be contingent on completing the Certificate.