Certification FAQs

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Certification FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions for IBF Certification Application

What is IBF Certification?

The IBF Certification is an industry endorsed mark of quality for financial practitioners in Singapore. Individuals who successfully complete the requisite IBF accredited programmes and meet the relevant criteria may apply for IBF Certification. The IBF Certification is awarded to individuals who have acquired the relevant core competencies required for jobs in their respective industry segments, and are expected to uphold values of professional excellence, integrity and commitment to the industry.

What are the eligibility criteria to apply for IBF Certification?

Individuals who successfully complete an eligible IBF-STS accredited assessment programme* and meet the relevant criteria may apply for IBF Certification.

IBF Certification Title	Criteria
IBF Qualified (Level 1)	75% of TSCs within benchmark role, including: • Industry Rules & Regulations (1 TSC)# • Product Knowledge (1 TSC)# #Technical Skills & Competencies (TSCs) for industry rules & regulations and product knowledge can be fulfilled through either industry/regulatory exams or IBF-STS accredited programme(s).
	Industry Experience Requirement: NIL
IBF Advanced (Level 2)	75% of TSCs within benchmark job role	Industry Experience Requirement: > 3 years of relevant experience
IBF Advanced (Level 3)	75% of TSCs within benchmark job role	Industry Experience Requirement: > 8 years of relevant experience

* IBF-STS accredited Core Competency Skills (previously known as Generic Skills) and Future-Enabled Skills programmes will not be considered for IBF Certification. Only technical skills and competencies (TSCs) will be counted towards certification.

How can I find the list of technical skills and competencies (TSCs) required for IBF Certification for my current job role?

Technical skills and competencies (TSCs) required for IBF Certification for your current job role

The list of technical skills and competencies (TSCs) can be found in Skills Framework for Financial Services . You will need to select from one of the following sub-sectors to access the skills required of your job role.

Asset Management
Corporate Banking
Insurance
Investment Banking
Private Banking & Wealth Management
Retail Banking

Can I complete more than 1 programme to attain IBF Certification?

Yes, you may complete more than 1 programme to fulfil the required number of technical skills and competencies (TSCs) to meet the IBF Certification criteria.

What documents do I need to apply for IBF Certification?

For Individual Applications

You will need the following documents for application:

Certificate(s) of Completion
Experience Requirement Form (for IBF Advanced Level 2 and 3) (form can be downloaded in application page)
Resume / CV (for IBF Advanced Level 2 and 3)

For Group Applications (by Financial Institutions / IBF Accredited Training Providers)

You will need the following documents for application:

Certificate(s) of Completion
Experience Requirement Form (for IBF Advanced Level 2 and 3) (form can be downloaded in application page)
Group Applicants’ Details (for group applications) (form can be downloaded in application page)
Resume / CV (for IBF Advanced Level 2 and 3)

Can I apply for more than one IBF Certification title?

Yes, you can apply for IBF Certification title across different job roles.

Are there any fees payable for my IBF Certification application?

Application fees are currently waived. IBF reserves the right to charge an application fee and annual certification fee.

How do I view the electronic copy of my IBF Certificate?

You can view your e-certificate by logging in to MySkills Portfolio in the IBF Portal. It is available for viewing and download in the “My Certification” tab.

How do I request for a hard copy of my IBF Certificate?

You can submit a request by logging in to MySkills Portfolio on the IBF Portal. Please note that there is an administrative fee of $50.76 (inclusive of GST) for each certificate and a processing time of 5 to 7 working days. The certificate will be mailed out to your indicated address.

Where can I check the status of my IBF Certification application?

To view the status or records, please log in to MySkills Portfolio on the IBF Portal. Information will be shown in the “My Certification” tab.

For group applications submitted by Financial Institutions or Training Providers, you will have to create your individual IBF Portal account to view the status and to retrieve your e-certificate.

How do I update my personal information and training records to apply for IBF Certification?

You may login to MySkills Portfolio on the IBF Portal to update your personal information and training records.

How do I apply for an IBF Portal Account to submit my IBF Certification application?

For Individuals

Please click here to apply for an individual IBF Portal Account. You may proceed to login with your Username and Password to apply for IBF Certification after you have created the account.

For Financial Institutions / IBF Accredited Training Providers
Please click here to apply for an IBF Portal Account. You may proceed to login to apply for IBF Certification after IBF approves the account opening application.

You will need the following documents / information for application:

Name and emails of two management representatives who will manage the account
For MAS Licenced Financial Institutions (FI) and exempt entities, be listed on MAS FI directory
For FinTech firms, obtained Singapore FinTech Association (SFA) Certification
Company UEN number
Bank’s endorsed Direct Credit Authorisation form
ACRA Bizfile (for all non-MAS Licenced FI/entities)
The process will take 1 to 4 weeks depending on the completeness of documents submitted.

Can I use my IBF Certification Title in my business card, email signature and social media?

Yes, you may use the professional certification title that you have been conferred on all communication materials (e.g. business card, email signatures, LinkedIn Profile).

Please refer to the IBF Certification Terms and Conditions for the artwork and colours of the certification / mark.

Frequently Asked Questions for CPD Obligations

Will I be required to fulfil any Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours to maintain my IBF Certification status?

IBF Certified Individuals are required to fulfil a minimum of 15 CPD hours annually which will commence from the year following the year of certification. Details on eligible CPD activities can be found here: IBF Certification Terms and Conditions.

Illustration
An individual obtained his IBF Certification in July 2021. He will be required to fulfil a minimum of 15 CPD hours from 1 January 2022 onwards.

What are the CDP activities recognised by IBF for IBF Certified Individuals?

The annual CPD activities (both internal and external) prescribed should cover content that are directly relevant to the financial industry, which may include:

Ethics / Market Conduct requirements;
Product knowledge;
Skills / competencies; and/or
Rules and Regulations / Compliance-related matters.

A wide variety of CPD activities will be recognized under the following broad categories and as described in the table below:

Training & Education;
Instruction;
Leadership; and
Research & Publication

Do I need to renew my IBF Certification status annually?

The certification status is automatically renewed upon fulfilment of the annual CPD requirement. All IBF certified individuals will be required to submit their declaration annually via MySkills Portfolio. It shall be the sole responsibility of the IBF Certified Individual to track and maintain his CPD records to ensure that his certification status will be renewed automatically.

The IBF Certified Individual is required to maintain and submit supporting documents (e.g. certificate of attendance/ completion, appointment letter or copy of published article etc.) for all CPD activities undertaken and records on how the required CPD hours are met. IBF reserves the right to conduct an audit on IBF Certified Individuals to ensure fulfilment of the IBF CPD requirements.

The IBF Certified Individual is also expected to observe the Terms and Conditions, Code of Ethics, and Standards of Professional Conduct during the tenure of the certification status, failing which the certification status might stand to be revoked.

What is the retention period of my CPD records for renewal of my IBF Certification status?

You will need to keep your CPD records for 2 years. You can use the IBF MySkills Portfolio to help you to keep track of your training records.