Certification Application Process

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Certification Application Process

Certification Application Process

Certification FAQs

1. Select a job role from the Skills Framework for Financial Services (SFwFS) to determine the required skills. Select courses from our suite of IBF-STS accredited courses that best meet your training needs.

2. You can only be certified after you have successfully completed eligible IBF-STS accredited assessment course(s)* for IBF Certification and attained the required skills for the selected industry segment and function. Please ensure that you identify a course of an appropriate level.

3. Apply for IBF Certification after you have completed the IBF-STS accredited course(s). Application should be made within 5 years from the completion of the IBF-STS accredited course.

4. IBF will evaluate your certification application based on the following criteria:

IBF Certification Application	For Whom	Criteria
IBF Qualified (Level 1)	For new entrants with less than 3 years of financial services industry experience	75% of TSCs within job role, including: Industry Rules & Regulations Product Knowledge *TSCs for Product Knowledge and Rules & Regulations can be attained through either regulatory exams or training courses
IBF Qualified (Level 1)		Industry Experience Requirement: NIL
IBF Advanced (Level 2)	For practitioners with 3 to 7 years of relevant experience in selected industry segment	75% of TSCs within job role
IBF Advanced (Level 2)		Industry Experience Requirement: applicants must currently be in the selected job role with at least 3 years of relevant experience in the selected industry segment
IBF Advanced (Level 3)	For practitioners with at least 8 years of relevant experience in selected industry segment	75% of TSCs within job role
IBF Advanced (Level 3)		Industry Experience Requirement: applicants must currently be in the selected job role with at least 8 years of relevant experience in the selected industry segment

*TSC: Technical Skill Competency

View the complete list of TSCs in the Skills Framework for Financial Services (SFwFS).

5. Successful applicants will be awarded an IBF Certificate carrying a corresponding Certification Title.

6. Maintain your certification by fulfilling your annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.

*Note:

IBF Certification titles need not be attained in sequence. Experienced practitioners may bypass “IBF Qualified” certification and apply to be certified at “IBF Advanced” if they possess the requisite years and experience and have successfully completed eligible IBF-STS accredited course(s) for the selected industry segment and function.
IBF-STS accredited Critical Core Skills and Future-Enabled Skills courses will not be considered for IBF Certification. Only technical skills and competencies (TSCs) will be counted towards certification.

Click here to view the CPD requirements.

IBF Certification levels and criteria

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IBF Qualified

An individual who is equipped with foundational skills to undertake new roles

Certified upon successful completion of eligible IBF-STS accredited course(s) for IBF Certification and attained the required skills for the selected industry segment and function

IBF Advanced

An individual who has demonstrated applied knowledge and advanced analytical skills for specialist or supervisory functions

Certified upon successful completion of eligible IBF-STS accredited course(s) for IBF Certification and attained the required skills for the selected industry segment and function
3-15 years of experience

IBF Distinguished Fellow, IBF Fellow

An industry veteran who has demonstrated mastery of a profession and exemplifies thought leadership and commitment to industry development

Certified via industry recognition (by nomination only)
Minimum 15 years of experience

Assess IBF Certification Eligibility

You can apply for IBF Certification after you have successfully completed eligible IBF-STS accredited course(s) by covering 75% of the TSCs skills framework and the following criteria based on the certification levels.

How to assess?

Map your capabilities against the Skills Framework for Financial Services to determine the TSCs required for your job role.

Access Skills Framework for Financial Services

Unable to fulfil the 75% TSC requirement? Select from IBF suite of IBF-STS accredited program that best meets your training needs.

Find programmes to fulfil 75% of TSCs

Application should be made within 5 years from the completion of the IBF-STS accredited programme.

Example of certification requirement:

Have you met the criteria for IBF Certification?

Once you meet the certification criteria, you may apply for IBF certification, and IBF will evaluate your application.

FAQs Check my Eligibility

Upon successful IBF certification application

Successful applicants will be awarded an IBF Certificate carrying a corresponding Certification Title.

You will also be required to maintain your certification by fulfilling your annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.

View CPD requirements