Skip Navigation
Search Event Calendar

Recognizing Achievement - US

Recognizing Achievement - US

Certificates

Certificates are awarded at every level to all candidates who have successfully completed the requirements for practical and theory examinations. Certificates are mailed in late March, late August and late October to eligible candidates. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

  • Comprehensive Certificates - Requirements
    Comprehensive Certificates* Examinations Required
    Preparatory A Piano Preparatory A Piano
    Preparatory B Piano Preparatory B Piano
    Introductory Practical (non-piano) Introductory or Preparatory Practical
    Level 1 Level 1 Practical
    Level 2 Level 2 Practical
    Level 3 Level 3 Practical
    Level 4 Level 4 Practical
    Level 5
    • Level 5 Practical
    • Level 5 Theory or Basic Rudiments
    Level 6
    • Level 6 Practical
    • Level 6 Theory or Intermediate Rudiments
    Level 7
    • Level 7 Practical
    • Level 7 Theory or Advanced Rudiments
    Level 8
    • Level 8 Practical
    • Level 8 Theory or Advanced Rudiments
    Level 9
    • Level 9 Practical
    • Level 8 Theory or Advanced Rudiments
    • Level 9 History or History 1
    • Level 9 Harmony or Basic Harmony or Level 9 Keyboard Harmony or Basic Keyboard Harmony

    Level 10
    • Level 10 Practical
    • Level 8 Theory or Advanced Rudiments
    • Level 9 History or History 1
    • Level 9 Harmony or Basic Harmony or Level 9 Keyboard Harmony or Basic Keyboard Harmony
    • Level 10 History or History 2
    • Level 10 Harmony & Counterpoint or Intermediate Harmony or Level 10 Keyboard Harmony orIntermediate Keyboard Harmony

    *Students completing only the practical examinations for Levels 5 through 10 will receive a Practical Certificate.

  • Theory Certificates - Requirements
    Theory Certificate Examinations Required
    Level 5 Theory Level 5 Theory
    Level 6 Theory Level 6 Theory
    Level 7 Theory Level 7 Theory
    Level 8 Theory Level 8 Theory
    Level 9 Theory
    • Level 9 History or History 1
    • Level 9 Harmony or Basic Harmony or Level 9 Keyboard Harmony or Basic Keyboard Harmony
    Level 10 Theory
    • Level 10 History or History 2
    • Level 10 Harmony & Counterpoint or Intermediate Harmony or Level 10 Keyboard Harmony or Intermediate Keyboard Harmony
    ARCT Theory
    • ARCT History or History 3

    Two of the following:

    • ARCT Harmony & Counterpoint or Advanced Harmony or ARCT Keyboard Harmony or Advanced Keyboard Harmony
    • ARCT Analysis or Analysis
    • Counterpoint*

    *If completed prior to January 2017.

  • Pedagogy Certificates - Requirements
    Piano Pedagogy Certificate Examinations Required
    Elementary Piano Pedagogy Certificate
    • Part 1: Level 9 Comprehensive Certificate
    • Part 2: Elementary Pedagogy Viva Voce
    • Part 3: Elementary Pedagogy Written or Teaching Elementary Piano (online course)
    Intermediate Piano Pedagogy Certificate
    • Prerequisite: Elementary Piano Pedagogy Certificate
    • ​Part 1: Level 10 Comprehensive Certificate
    • Part 2: Intermediate Pedagogy Viva Voce
    • Part 3: Intermediate Pedagogy Written or Teaching Intermediate Piano (online course)
    ARCT in Piano Pedagogy Diploma
    • Prerequisite: Intermediate Piano Pedagogy Certificate
    • Part 1: Piano Practical Examination
    • Part 2: Advanced Piano Pedagogy Viva Voce
    • Part 3: Advanced Piano Pedagogy Written or Teaching Advanced Piano (online course)
    • Theory Requirements:
      • ARCT History or History 3

    Two of the following:

      • ARCT Harmony & Counterpoint or Advanced Harmony or ARCT Keyboard Harmony orAdvanced Keyboard Harmony
      • ARCT Analysis or Analysis
      • Counterpoint*

    *If completed prior to January 2017.

Diplomas

The Associate Diploma (ARCT) and the Licentiate Diploma (LRCM) are the highest academic standings awarded by the RCM Certificate Program.  The ARCT is available for Performance (all instruments), Piano Pedagogy and Teacher (non-piano).  The LRCM is available for Piano Performance only.  

Diplomas are either given at annual Convocation ceremonies or mailed to graduates who are unable to attend.

ARCT/LRCM
Interested in getting your ARCT or LRCM? Click here to view the requirements.

High School Credits

Many school systems recognize RCM examinations for credit towards secondary school graduation. Please check with your guidance counselor for more information. This document provides you with details on the RCM program that will be helpful for school administrators in assessing the program for high school credits and excused absences for examinations.

RCM Teachers of Distinction

RCM Teachers of Distinction are leaders in the field of music education, recognized for their contributions of creativity, dedication, innovation, and passion. Through their years of teaching experience, they provide mentorship to other teachers and instill a lifelong love of music in their students. RCM Teachers of Distinction are an inspiration to others and are influential in creating a brighter future for music education.

RCM Teacher of Distinction Awards
Nominations are now closed for the 2019 RCM Teacher of Distinction Awards.

Awards and Prizes (for academic year ending August 31, 2019)

In recognition of the dedication and hard work of those candidates who achieve outstanding results in their examinations, a number of awards and prizes are awarded each academic year by the RCM Certificate Program. All examination candidates are automatically eligible for awards and prizes (i.e., an application is not required). All awards are based on examination results.

 
  • Gold Medals

    National Gold Medals

    Practical

    National Gold Medals are awarded for each academic year (i.e., September 1 to August 31) in Preparatory to Level 10, plus Elementary and Intermediate Pedagogy, to those who have obtained the highest marks in each level and in each of the following disciplines: accordion, brass, guitar, harp, organ, percussion, piano, strings, woodwinds, and voice. To qualify for National Gold Medals, candidates must have obtained at least 80 percent in the practical examination and have completed the co-requisite theory examinations for their respective level and have their RCM account in good financial standing.

    Theory

    A Gold Medal for Excellence in Theory will be awarded each academic year (September 1 to August 31) to the candidate who has achieved the highest average mark upon the completion of all of the following examinations:

    • Level 9 Harmony, or level 9 Keyboard Harmony
    • Level 10 Harmony & Counterpoint, or Level 10 Keyboard Harmony
    • ARCT Harmony & Counterpoint, or ARCT Keyboard Harmony
    • Analysis
    • Level 9 History
    • Level 10 History
    • ARCT History

    Candidates will be considered for the Gold Medal for Excellence in Theory in the academic year in which they are eligible to graduate with an ARCT diploma. Candidates must obtain an overall average of at least 80 percent for the eight examinations and have their RCM account in good financial standing.

  • Certificates of Excellence 

    Center Certificates of Excellence
    These are awarded in each Assessment Center to the student in Preparatory A, Preparatory B, and Levels 1 to 10 who receives the highest marks for the respective Practical examination in the previous academic year. To be eligible, a student must receive a minimum of 80 percent in the Practical examination, have completed the Theory examination co-requisite for the respective level and have their RCM account in good financial standing.

    State Certificates of Excellence
    These certificates are awarded in each State to the student in Preparatory A, Preparatory B, and Levels 1 to 10 who receives the highest marks for the respective Practical examination in the previous academic year. To be eligible, a student must receive a minimum of 80 percent in the Practical examination, have completed the Theory examination co-requisite for the respective level, and have their RCM account in good financial standing.

Awards and Prizes (effective September 1, 2019)

Below are the updated RCM Certificate Program Awards requirements effective September 1, 2019. Please note the following:

  • Only those practical exams along with all theory corequisites (taken in person or online) completed by June 30 will be eligible for consideration.  Practical exams along with theory corequisites (taken in person or online) completed after June 30 will be considered for the following Academic Year

  • “National Diploma Gold Medals” will now be awarded to students at the diploma ARCT/LRCM levels who have achieved the highest mark in the United States – see below

  • “National Gold Medals” will now be awarded to students in Levels 5 through 10 who have achieved the highest mark in the United States – see below

  • “Regional Gold Medals” will now be awarded to students at all levels who have achieved the highest mark in their region – see below

  • Note that Center Certificates of Excellence will no longer be offered
  • ​All examination candidates are automatically eligible for awards and prizes (i.e., an application is not required) as long as their RCM account is in good financial standing by June 30. Awards are based on examination results - see below for specific requirements by award.
  • Awards and Requirements effective September 1, 2019
    Awards Requirements*:
    Award Awarded for Eligible RCM Levels Minimum Requirements for Eligibility
    National Diploma Gold Medal The highest mark in the country for each discipline ARCT + LRCM (includes Pedagogy** and Theory/Composition) Practical mark of 90 and completed theory co-requisites
    National Gold Medal The highest mark in the country for each discipline Levels 5 through 10 and Piano Pedagogy (Elementary and Intermediate) Practical mark of 90 and completed theory co-requisites
    Regional Gold Medal The highest mark in the region for each discipline Levels Preparatory through LRCM*** Practical mark of 85 and completed theory co-requisites

    * In addition to the requirements indicated above, a student's RCM account must be in good financial standing by June 30 in order to be eligible for consideration.
    ** Pedagogy includes both Advanced Piano Pedagogy and (non-Piano) Teacher ARCT
    *** includes Elementary and Intermediate Pedagogy levels plus Advanced Pedagogy/Teacher’s ARCT

    Disciplines:
    Accordion/Organ/Harpsichord, Brass, Guitar, Harp, Pedagogy/Teacher, Percussion, Piano, Speech Arts & Drama, Strings, Theory (co-requisite ARCT level only), Voice, Woodwinds



    Regions:

    Region State
    West California, Hawaii
    Northwest Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
    North Central Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
    Northeast Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia
    Southeast Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
    South Central Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
    Southwest Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions: US Award and Diploma Policies

Ceremonies

Convocation
This year's annual convocation cremonies will be held in Toronto and Vancouver.
2019 Celebrations of Excellence - US
Ceremonies are held in locations across the country.