Chartered Fintech Professional (CFtP) FAQ

CFtP Designation

1. What’s the CFtP designation?

CFtP stands for Chartered Fintech Professional.
A professional qualification.
Attests to charterholder achieving a high standard of knowledge, skills and competency in the areas of Finance, Fintech, as well as ethical and professional practice.
Awarded by the Global FinTech Institute (GFI), a global organization of Fintech professionals.

2. How is the CFtP awarded?

Designation conferred upon passing all levels of CFtP exams.
2 years’ relevant work experience in Fintech.
Joining GFI as member.

3. How long is the CFtP valid for?

As long as a charterholder is a member of GFI in good standing.

4. How do I maintain my membership in GFI?

Make annual declaration about professional conduct.
Satisfy 20 hours of continuing education (CE) in Fintech or related areas every year. New charterholders are exempted from CE for two years.
Membership fees not in arrears.

CFtP Program

1. What’s the maximum period to complete the CFtP program?

5 years from start date of candidature.
January 1 start date: registration between July 1 and December 31, of previous year.
July 1 start date: registration between January 1 and June 30.

2. What’s the shortest time to complete the CFtP program?

0.5 year with exemptions from both Level 1A Finance and Level 1B FinTech modules.
1 years for all others.

3. How much time is required to prepare for the exams?

Varies according to individual’s circumstances.
Shorter for those with some background or exposure to some of the topics in the program.
Foundation and Level 1 modules: 40 hours per module expected.
Level 2: 50 hours per module expected.

4. How do I prepare for the exams?

CFtP is a self-study program.
A study guide is provided for each module (cost is included in exam fee).
All study guides will be issued in digital format (via a soft token) upon successful registration for the respective exams.
- Note: All study guides will be available online via World Scientific Publishing's website for a period of 15 months upon activation.
There are no compulsory recommended textbooks, but candidates will be provided references for extended learning. Most of the extra learning materials can be found on the internet.

5. Are there prep courses I can attend?

None at present
GFI's training partner, CFTP Academy, will be conducting review courses for each level in the month of/prior to the exams (ie. April/September for Level 1AB Foundation, June/November for Level 1A, 1B and Level 2 exams

CFtP Exam

Administration

1. Who can enrol in the program?

Possess at least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent awarded by a recognised university,
Holder of equivalent professional qualification, e.g. ACCA, CFA, CAIA.
Final year students currently pursuing undergraduate studies in a recognised university (at the point of Level 1 exams)
Must be above 21 years of age.

2. Which language will the exams be conducted in?

Exams in English. Other languages may follow.

3. How often are the exams conducted?

Foundation: Online exams conducted during the window periods of April-May and September-October.
Level 1AB Foundation: Candidates are allowed 5 attempts within each window period. The 1st re-attempt is free-of-charge.
Level 1 & Level 2: Twice a year online remote proctored or in-center computer based exams in July and December.

4. Where would the exams be held?

The Level 1 & 2 exams will be conducted in an online remotely proctored or in-center computer based format for all candidates. CFtP's official exam provider is Prometric.
All registered candidates will receive more details on this in due course.
More info on the CFtP exams conducted via Prometric

Format and Content

1. What is the format of the exams?

Level 1AB Foundation: 60 MCQ (3 choices).
Level 1A & 1B: 90 MCQ (3 or 4 choices) per paper.
Level 2: 75 MCQ (3 or 4 choices) + 3 short essay questions per paper.

Duration of Exams

Level 1AB Foundation: 1 120-minute session.
Level 1A & 1B: 1 180-minute session per paper
Level 2: 1180-minute session per paper (There are a total of 2 papers, 1 for Modules 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 & another for Modules 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6)

Coverage of Topics Tested

Foundation: Number of questions from each module: 35% to 65% of total.
Level 1: Number of questions from each module: 15% to 35% of total.
Level 2: Number of questions from each module: 20% to 45% of total.

Results

1. What is the minimum passing score (MPS)?

Not less than 65% for all levels. Final MPS decided by GFI.
Exam score is based on total for all modules.
No pass requirement for any module.

2. When would the results of the exams be announced?

Level 1AB Foundation: Within 7 days of your exam date.
Levels 1 and 2: Within 60 days of your exam date.

CFtP Registration and Fees

1. When can I enroll as a candidate, and for the exams?

Registration deadlines

Please refer to this page on our website
In general, new program registrations for Level 1 closes on 31 March for the July exam window, and on 31 August for the December exam window.
Registration for Level 2 closes on 31 May for the July exam window, and on 31 Oct for the December exam window.

2. What are the fees associated with the program?

Candidate Membership Due

US$100 (yearly)

Program Enrolment Fee

US$300 (one time, payable when enrolling to Level 1)

Examination Registration Fee

Level 1 (including Foundation)

Registration fee: US$1,000
Subsequent attempts for Foundation paper within same exam window: US$100 per attempt, for 3rd to 5th attempts

Level 2

Registration fee: US$1,000

3. Can I get a refund if I change my mind about taking the exams?

Fees are non-refundable.

CFtP Exemptions

1. How can I get exempted from Level 1A Finance or Level 1B FinTech exams?

Exemptions from Level 1 exams are based on prior programs or courses taken.
Candidates can submit his/her exemption request through the exemption application form.
No exemptions will be granted for Level 1AB Foundation and Level 2 exams.

Exemptions are granted for accredited programs:
- Singapore University of Social Sciences
  - BSc Finance – Level 1A Finance and/or Level 1B Fintech depending on courses taken.
  - MSc Finance- Level 1A Finance and/or Level 1B Fintech depending on courses taken.

- School of Finance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
  - Bachelor of Finance – Level 1A Finance.
  - Double degree program (FinTech Base Class) – Level 1A Finance and Level 1B Fintech.
  - MSc of Fintech –Level 1A Finance and Level 1B Fintech.

- NUS Business School
  - Bachelor of Business Administration- Level 1A Finance and/or Level 1B Fintech depending on courses taken.
  - MSc in Finance- Level 1A Finance depending on courses taken.
- Nanyang Technological University
  - Bachelor of Business (Banking & Finance) – Exempt from Level 1A Finance and Level 1B Fintech (depending on courses taken).
Degrees or qualifications from other institutions
- Granted on case-by-case basis upon presentation of transcripts and course outlines.
Professional qualifications eligible
- CFA – Passed Level 2
  - Exempted Level 1 Finance.
- CAIA – Passed Level 2
  - Exempted Level 1 Finance.

Please note that the list of accredited programs and professional qualifications are subjected to continuous review and GFI reserves the right to update the list as it deems necessary.

CFtP Charter

1. What else in addition to passing the exams do I need to get the charter?

Minimum of 24 months of relevant Fintech work experience.
Experience earned through full-time, part-time, or remote work arrangements- before, during or after your participation in the CFtP Program- can qualify
Membership in GFI.

2. What constitutes as relevant work experience?

Relevant experiences are either directly related to Fintech, or add value to the business process using Fintech.
Areas related to AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and Data are also considered as relevant.

GFI FAQs

1. What are the membership fees?

Ordinary and associate: US$200 per year.
Student: US$100 per year.
Candidate: US$100 per year.

2. What are the benefits from my membership?

Free access to GFI publications.
Priority/discounts in enrolling for GFI seminars, workshops & conferences.
Free or discounted price for partner organizations’ events.

3. How do I fulfil the Continuing Education requirements?

Combination of attendance at eligible GFI or partner organizations’ events and reading relevant articles in Fintech and related areas.
Events consist of conferences, seminars, workshops.
Details to be announced later.