Entry Requirements

Individuals wishing to register for the PDFM must be able to demonstrate (i) prior relevant knowledge in finance OR (ii) academic proficiency.

A. The HKSI regards the following as an indication of possessing prior relevant knowledge in finance:

1. The attainment of any ONE of the HKSI Practising or Specialist Certificates awarded for passing different combinations of papers of the Licensing Examination for Securities and Futures Intermediaries (LE); or
2. The attainment of the HKSI Foundation Programme Examination (FPE) Certificate or the HKSI Financial Market Principal Programme Examination (PPE) CertificateNote 1; or
3. The attainment of the HKSI Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning and Advising; or
4. The completion of the Securities Broker's Examination (SBE); or the Broker's Representative Examination (BRE); or the Options Officer and Representative Examination (OORE); or the Options Clearing Officer Examination (OCOE); or the Futures and Options Exchange Participant Examination (FOE); or
5. The holding of a finance related professional qualificationNote 2; or
6. The holding of a certificate / diploma in finance / investment / accounting from a recognised tertiary institution; or
7. The completion of a degreeNote 3 (or an associate degree) with a specialisation / major / minor study in a discipline such as accounting, banking, business, economics, finance or investment management; or
8. Other qualifications equivalent to the above, subject to the approval of the HKSI.

B. Academic Proficiency is typically demonstrated through the completion of any bachelor degree (or above).

• Experienced finance practitioners with over 2 years of relevant experience may also register for the PDFM, subject to the approval of the HKSI
• All HKSI Affiliate Members, Ordinary Members and Fellows are deemed to possess prior relevant knowledge in finance and can register for the PDFM.

Note 1:	Certificate granting combinations for the FPE are Papers 1+2, Papers 1+3 or Papers 1+2+3. PPE Certificates are granted to anyone completing Paper 1, Paper 2 or Paper 3.
Note 2:	A typical list of examples of recognised finance related professional qualifications includes Chartered Accountant (CA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Partial completion of relevant levels leading to such professional qualifications may be favourably considered by the HKSI for the purpose of PDFM registration. Applications can also be made with other local or overseas professional qualifications, subject to the HKSI's approval.
Note 3:	Individuals who have completed some, but not all, relevant Modules/components of a degree with a specialisation / major / minor study in a discipline such as accounting, banking, business, economics, finance or investment management may also register for the PDFM, subject to the HKSI's approval.

Registration as a PDFM Registered Student

To enrol for any PDFM Module (via the TE Mode or the EO Mode) for the first time, applicants must register with the HKSI as a PDFM Student. A non-refundable and non-transferable Application Fee of HK$100 is charged for PDFM Student registration. Please refer to the PDFM Programme Handbook for details of the application procedures for PDFM Student registration.