The Certificate in Derivatives and Certificate in Derivatives - Retail have been developed to provide employees advising and/or dealing in derivatives on behalf of professional or retail clients respectively with the knowledge and skills required for their job roles.

CISI has recently redeveloped the Certificate Programme with representatives from leading global financial services firms, both wholesale and retail, and input fromthe Exchange LIBA, FOA and Accredited Training Providers to meet the needs of the changing industry. SII has also ensured that these qualifications are globally portable, addressing the needs of the modern international derivatives markets.

The Certificate in Derivatives:

The Certificate in Derivatives comprises the following units:

• Derivatives - 2 hour paper consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions
• FSA Financial Regulation OR Principles of Financial Regulation  -  1 hour paper consisting of 50 multiple choice questions

The Certificate in Derivatives - Retail additionally includes:

•   Investment & Risk  - 1 ½ hour paper consisting of 60 multiple-choice questions.

Candidates advising retail clients who complete the qualification after 1 May 2008 have to pass the Investment and Risk unit.

Key Features - Derivatives

• Syllabus tailored to meet the needs of employees advising both professional and retail clients
• Globally portable - internationally focused reflecting the needs of an international market place
• Increased focus on key concepts and principles underpinning the creation, valuation, trading and management of commodity and financial derivatives
• Comprehensive coverage of OTC, commodity, structured and credit derivatives
• Addresses global aspects - such as overseas exchanges, overseas regulation and developing markets

MiFID Compliance
 
 As a result of MiFID, firms may find that a number of their clients, which they treat as wholesale clients, seek reclassification as retail clients, to gain the protections that retail clients are entitled to. Employers advising retail clients must obtain the retail version of the qualification. CISI has adapted all regulatory examinations to ensure they are MiFID compliant.
 

source : CISI website