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- Certificate in Financial Services Advice (CFSA)
- Certificate in Advanced Financial Advice (CAFA)
- Certificate in Advanced Investment Advice (CAIA)
- Certificate in Small Business Banking (CSBB)
- Certificate in Technical Analysis (CITA)
- Certificate in Investment Dealer Compliance (CIDC)
- Certificate in Derivatives Market Strategies (CDMS)
- Certificate in Retirement Strategy (CRS)
- Certificate in Estate Planning & Trust Strategy (CETS)
- Certificate in Commercial Credit (CICC)
- Certificate in Personal Banking (CPB)
- Certificate In Bank Management (CBM)
- Micro-Certificate in Alternative Investments (MCAI)
- Micro-Certificate in Applied Behavioural Finance (MCABF)
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- Fellow of CSI (FCSI®)
- Personal Financial Planner (PFP®)
- Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®)
- Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM)
- Designated Financial Services Advisor (DFSA™)
- Estate & Trust Professional (MTI®)
- CSI Path to Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
- CSI Path to Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP™)
- CSI Path to Financial Planning Program – Quebec (IQPF)
- View All Designation Pathways
- Personal Financial Services Advice (PFSA)
- Financial Planning I (FP I)
- Financial Planning II (FP II)
- Financial Planning Supplement (FPSU)
- Investment Advisors Training Program (IATP)
- Financial Planning Integration Course (FPIC)
- Applied Financial Planning Certification Exam (AFP)
- CIWM Certification Examination
- Life Licence Qualification Program Insurance Course (LLQP)
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CFSA: Preferred Credential for Personal Bankers
Better understand your clients' unique financial needs and goals to build positive client relationships with the CFSA.
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PFP® Approved Under FSRA Title Regulation
FSRA has approved the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation for Financial Planner title use in Ontario.
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Explore Multiple Career Paths
Explore different roles and opportunities available in the financial services industry and view the recommended courses and credentials.
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Meet CE Requirements Quickly and Easily
Explore continuing education courses and meet your requirements for CSI, CIRO, CSF and other professional associations or certifications.
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Drive Effective Client Conversations
Get started with the Personal Financial Services Advice (PFSA) course to enhance your soft skills and build profitable client relationships.
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Explore Multiple Career Paths
Explore different roles and opportunities available in the financial services industry and view the recommended courses and credentials.
- Exams & Administration
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Canadian Securities Course CSC®
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Preparing to Take Your CSI Exam?
Write your exam through Remote Proctoring from any location (including your home) or In-Person at one of our test centres.
- Credentials
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Credentials That Matter
Meet the highest standards of experience & education for financial professionals with CSI certificates, designations & fellowship.
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FCSI® – The Highest Honour in Financial Services
Join an elite group of leaders in financial services and make a meaningful impact for your clients with the Fellow of CSI (FCSI®).
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PFP® – The Premier Credential for Financial Planners
Master financial planning skills with the ISO and FSRA-certified Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation.
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CIM® – The Recognized Credential for Investment Managers
Learn how to manage money on a discretionary basis for sophisticated clients with Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®).
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CIWM – The Leading Credential for Wealth Managers
Establish your credibility to address the unique needs of affluent clients with Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM).
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MTI® – Prestigious Credential for Trust & Wealth Managers
Gain expertise in the regulations and tax implications that are crucial for management and transfer of wealth with MTI®.
- Corporate Solutions
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Find Qualified Candidates Faster
Talent Pro connects organizations with qualified and licensed candidates to fill active opportunities in the banking industry.
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Find Qualified Candidates Faster
Talent Pro connects organizations with qualified and licensed candidates to fill active opportunities in the banking industry.
- Insights
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Webinars to Boost Financial Literacy
During Financial Literacy Month we aim to help Canadians understand their finances better & navigate the changing economic landscape.
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Become a Speaker With CSI
CSI Podium offers designation holders opportunities to speak on topics to benefit their clients, colleagues, and the investing public via webinars.
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PFP® Approved Under FSRA Title Regulation
FSRA has approved the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation for Financial Planner title use in Ontario.
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PFP® Approved Under FSRA Title Regulation
FSRA has approved the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation for Financial Planner title use in Ontario.
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For all questions related to CIRO’s Proposed Proficiency Model, please visit CIRO’s webpage or email proficiency@ciro.ca.
Hours of study: 95 – 135 Hours
Enrolment Period: 1 Year
What is the DFOL exam weighting?
| Exam Topics | Weightings |
|---|---|
| An Overview of Derivatives | 3% |
| Futures Contracts | 11% |
| Exchange Traded Options | 14% |
| Swaps | 7% |
| How Investment Funds and Structured Products Use Derivatives | 6% |
| A Review of the Risk and Reward Profiles of Common Option Strategies | 16% |
| Opening and Maintaining Option Accounts | 25% |
| The Role of Clearing Corporations and Exchanges in Listed Options Trading | 10% |
| Contract Adjustments and Special Considerations and Risks of Non-Equity Options | 8% |
What is the DFOL exam structure?
| Structure | Information |
|---|---|
| Exams | 1 |
| Exam Format | Proctored (remote or in-person at a test centre) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Question Format | Multiple Choice |
| Questions Per Exam | 100* |
| Attempts Allowed Per Exam | 3 |
| Passing Grade | 60% |
| Assignments | None |
* If you enrolled before December 6, 2023, your DFOL exam will consist of 110 questions.
What Continuing Education (CE) credits will you earn?
| Accreditation | Credits |
|---|---|
| CSF General Subjects | 10 |
| CSF Mutual Funds | 10 |
| CSF Compliance | 10 |
| CIRO-ID Professional Development | 20 |
| CIRO-MF Professional Development | 20 |
| MTI | 30 |
| CIWM Professional development | 15 |
| PFP Professional development | 30 |
| CIM Professional development | 40 |
| ADVOCIS Structured Learning CE | 30 |
View CE credits for all CSI courses and all associations.
While CSI makes every effort to ensure that the information is up-to-date, we are unfortunately unable to fully guarantee its accuracy. The information listed in the chart may be subject to change.