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Terms & Conditions

CSWO Foundations Course

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern enrollment in the CSWO Foundations Course, offered by Phynlea Incorporated, operating as the Canadian School of Wedding Officiants (“CSWO,” “we,” “us”). By enrolling, you (“the Student”) agree to the Terms below. These Terms apply whether you are enrolled in the self-paced or live cohort version of the CSWO Foundations Course, except where a section specifically distinguishes between the two.

 

1. What CSWO Provides

CSWO provides training only. CSWO is a training program that prepares Students for ordination through the Canadian International Metaphysical Ministry (CIMM), a registered religious organization. CSWO does not ordain ministers and does not register anyone as a legal marriage officiant with any province or territory. CSWO has no authority over, and no control over, CIMM's ordination process or any provincial government's registration process.

 

2. Ordination Through CIMM

Ordination is granted solely by CIMM, an organization independent of CSWO. As of enrollment, CIMM's requirements for ordination are:

  • A clear criminal record check
  • Graduation from an approved training program (such as the CSWO Foundations Course)
  • Two reference letters
  • Payment of CIMM's ordination fees
  • Signing CIMM's ministerial oath
  • Completion of a small number of short modules administered directly by CIMM

These requirements are set by CIMM, not CSWO, and may change at any time without notice to CSWO. Completing the CSWO Foundations Course does not guarantee that CIMM will ordain you, and does not guarantee that any provincial or territorial government will register you as a marriage officiant. CSWO makes no representation or warranty regarding CIMM's decisions or any government authority's decisions.

 

3. Eligibility Requirements

By enrolling, you confirm that:

  • You are at least 18 years of age.
  • You currently reside in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, or Yukon, the provinces/territory where CIMM is recognized as a religious body with the authority to designate its ordained ministers as marriage officiants.
  • You understand that any provincial or territorial registration you obtain as a marriage officiant will be specific to the province or territory in which you reside, and will not automatically extend to any other province or territory.
  • You understand that the CSWO Foundations Course is currently available in English only. The final exam, including the practical ceremony assessment, must be completed and performed in English and will be graded in English only.

 

4. Technology Requirements

Participating in this course requires a computer or laptop with a webcam and reliable internet access, or a smartphone capable of recording video, sufficient to view course content, complete the exam, and record the required practical assessment video. It is the Student's responsibility to ensure they have suitable technology and a stable internet connection before enrolling. CSWO is not responsible for a Student's inability to access, complete, or submit course content or exam materials due to the Student's own equipment, software, or internet limitations.

 

5. Course Completion and Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the CSWO Foundations Course, a Student must:

  • Pass Part A of the final exam (Knowledge Assessment) with a score of 80% or higher;
  • Pass Part B of the final exam (write and perform a ceremony), graded on a pass / needs-revision basis; and
  • Attend at least 6 of the 8 live class sessions (live cohort students) or complete all required modules (self-paced students).

Enrollment in, payment for, and completion of course lessons does not guarantee that a Student will pass the final exam or graduate. Passing the exam requires the Student to demonstrate the required knowledge and skill; this is assessed independently of course attendance or payment.

 

6. Exam Periods and Retakes

Live cohort Students complete their exam during the exam period following the end of their live class series, and do not need to separately select an exam period. 

Self-paced Students must select one of CSWO's four scheduled exam periods (October, January, April, or July) at least one month before that period opens.

Each exam period runs for two weeks. If a Student selects an exam period but does not complete and submit their exam within that two-week window, the Student is considered to have failed that attempt and must pay the $297 retake fee to attempt the exam during a future exam period. Exam grades are issued within 10 business days following the close of the exam period.

If a Student does not pass Part A or Part B of the final exam on a given attempt, they are given one free opportunity to revise and resubmit (Part B) or retake (Part A) within the same exam period. This free opportunity is available each time a Student sits the exam, including on retakes. If the Student still does not pass after using this free opportunity, they must wait for the next scheduled exam period and pay the applicable retake fee of $297 to attempt the exam again.

Students who prefer not to wait for the next scheduled exam period may purchase the Flex Exam add-on ($297) for their first attempt, either at checkout or at any later time, allowing the exam to be completed on their own schedule. The Flex Exam add-on is not available for retakes; a Student who does not pass must wait for the next scheduled exam period before attempting the exam again.

Students have one year from their original purchase date to select and complete their exam. If a Student never selects an exam period and this one-year window lapses, their opportunity to sit the exam under this enrollment expires, and they would need to re-enroll in and retake the course to become eligible for the exam again.

Within one week of receiving a passing exam grade, CSWO will issue the Student's certificate of completion and a letter to CIMM confirming the Student's eligibility to apply for ordination.

 

7. Payment Terms

Students enrolled on a payment plan must complete all scheduled payments in full before CSWO will submit any information to CIMM confirming the Student's graduation. Graduation confirmation to CIMM will not be submitted while any portion of the course fee remains outstanding.

 

8. Refund Policy

All course fees are non-refundable once purchased. This applies regardless of the reason, including but not limited to a Student not passing the final exam, a Student withdrawing or being unable to complete the course, or a Student no longer residing in an eligible province or territory. Upon enrollment, the Student receives immediate access to the full course, and CSWO's obligations under these Terms are considered fulfilled at that point.

 

9. No Guarantee of Outcomes

CSWO cannot and does not guarantee that a Student will be ordained by CIMM, registered by any provincial or territorial government, or successful in building an officiant business. Outcomes depend on factors outside CSWO's control, including the Student's own effort, CIMM's independent decisions, and government processes.

 

10. Educational Content, Not Professional Advice

Course content relating to legal, financial, tax, accounting, or marketing matters is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, accounting, or marketing advice. CSWO's founder is not a lawyer, accountant, or marketing expert. Students are encouraged to consult a qualified, licensed professional in their province regarding their specific circumstances.

 

11. Intellectual Property

All course materials, including videos, textbooks, worksheets, templates, and downloadable tools, are the property of CSWO and are licensed to the Student for personal, non-commercial use only. Students may not copy, share, resell, or redistribute course materials without CSWO's prior written permission.

 

12. Code of Conduct

Students are expected to engage with course staff, instructors, and fellow students respectfully and professionally. CSWO reserves the right to remove a Student's access to the course, without refund, in cases of harassment, abuse, or other serious violations of this expectation.

Students may not share or provide their discount codes, bonus content, downloads, or other perks tied to their enrollment tier (including VIP-only discounts, such as the Beyond the Basics discount code) with any person who has not paid for that access. Violating this policy is treated the same as other serious violations of this Code of Conduct: CSWO reserves the right to remove the Student's access to the course and any associated bonuses, without refund.

 

13. Changes to the Course

CSWO may update, modify, or improve course content, format, or schedule at any time, and will make reasonable efforts to notify enrolled Students of material changes.

 

14. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

 

15. Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent to [email protected].