Certification Programme for Virtual Asset Professionals (CVAP)
Programme Overview
The CVAP aims to develop core competencies in virtual asset ("VA") for financial services practitioners offering VA-related services. The certification programme is developed in consultation with industry practitioners and the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC").
Who should enrol?
- Practitioners providing VA dealing or advising services;
- Practitioners distributing VA-related products;
- Private or retail wealth managers;
- Asset managers; and
- Traditional financial services practitioners and university students interested in VA.
Programme Details
Please refer to the “CVAP User Guide” for details instructions before enrolling in the Programme.
The CVAP follows a two-step completion process, which must be finished within one year of enrolling in the Core Curriculum:
- Step 1: Complete the Core Curriculum
- Step 2: Complete two Elective Modules
Upon completing the Core Curriculum, participants will receive the "Virtual Asset Fundamentals Certificate" ; those who successfully complete two elective modules within the required timeframe will be awarded the "Certificate of Virtual Asset Professional".
Each training module is one hour in duration and qualifies for Continuous Professional Training ("CPT") hours.
The above Programme Certificates and Certificates of Attendance will be available on the HKSI Institute Online Portal. Please be advised that only digital certificates will be issued and no physical copies will be provided.
The Core Curriculum of the CVAP is designed to impart essential knowledge in regulatory, industry, and product related topics. It includes an eCourse with three fundamental modules and a post-training examination.
The eCourse is delivered in English with subtitles in Traditional Chinese (TC) and Simplified Chinese (SC), and is supplemented by training materials in English, TC and SC. Examination questions are available in English, TC, and SC.
Completion of the eCourse with all three fundamental modules is a prerequisite for eligibility to sit the post-training examination.
The estimated study time to prepare for the post-training examination, including reviewing the eCourse and relevant study materials, is approximately 18 hours. This may vary based on the individual's professional background and prior experience.
Upon enrolling in the Core Curriculum, participants will gain 90-day access to an eCourse comprising the following three fundamental modules:
- Module 1: Introduction to Virtual Assets
- Module 2: Overview of VA-related Products in Traditional Financial Market
- Module 3: Overview of the Virtual Asset Regulatory Landscape in Hong Kong
Participants can schedule the post-training examination session only after completing the eCourse.
The post-training examination of the Core Curriculum is designed to assess participants’ general understanding of the subject matters covered in the fundamental modules.
Examination details are as follows:
- Prerequisite: Completed all the three fundamental modules
- Format: 40 multiple-choice questions
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Pass Marks: 80%
- Examination Question Language: English and Chinese (both Traditional and Simplified characters)
- Mode: Computer-based Examination ("CBE")
- Frequency: Monthly (The number of exam sessions each month will be adjusted based on market demand)
- Venue: Hong Kong Computer-Based Examination Centre (“CBE Centre”) or any one of the Global Examination Centres
Participants who do not pass the initial examination are allowed to retake it within one year of enrolling in the Core Curriculum and are NOT required to retake the eCourse.
The elective modules mainly focus on activities related to VA dealing and advisory as well as VA-related product distribution, covering topics, including tokenisation, custody, selling conduct, and portfolio management. This structure allows participants to tailor their learning experiences to meet their specific professional development needs.
Participants are required to complete any two of the following modules. Each elective module includes a post‑course assessment in the form of multiple‑choice questions, which must be passed with a minimum score of 80% in order to successfully complete the module.
Participants can enrol in the elective modules directly by clicking on the course links below.
- Module 4: Regulatory Requirements for Selling Virtual Asset ("VA") Products*
- Module 5: Introduction to Tokenisation (English / Putonghua)
- Module 6: Introduction to Virtual Asset Portfolio Management (English / Putonghua)
- Module 7: Virtual Asset Custody for Asset Management (English / Putonghua)
- Module 8: Regulatory Compliance for VATP*
*Only English version is available now and more elective modules will be added soon.
Note: Completing the same course topic in different languages will only be counted ONCE toward elective modules and CPT hours, in line with SFC CPT requirements.
- The "Virtual Asset Fundamentals Certificate"* will be awarded to participants who successfully complete the Core Curriculum within the required timeframe.
- The "Certificate of Virtual Asset Professional"* will be awarded to holders of the Virtual Asset Fundamentals Certificate who complete two elective modules and pass the respective post-course assessments within the required timeframe.
*Note: Only digital certificates will be issued. No physical copies will be provided.
Total programme fee of the CVAP
- Student Member: HKD2,000
- Member: HKD3,400
- Non-member: HKD4,800
**Special discounts are available for group enrolment of 5 or more participants and for members of select friendly associations. Please contact [email protected] for more details!
The breakdown of programme fee is as follows:
Step 1: Core Curriculum*
- Student Member: HKD1,400
- Member: HKD2,800
- Non-member: HKD3,600
The fee includes one post-training examination session (Hong Kong CBE Centre), an eCourse comprising three fundamental modules with relevant training materials and post-course quizzes, and the "Virtual Asset Fundamentals Certificate".
*Participants who wish to take the examination at any Global Examination Centre are required to pay an additional fee of HKD420.
Step 2: Two Elective Modules
- Member*: HKD300 per module × 2 = HKD600
- Non-member: HKD600 per module × 2 = HKD1,200
The fee includes an eCourse with relevant training materials and a post-course assessment.
*The member fee applies to individual members (including student members, unless a student member price is applicable), and staff of corporate members. Please note that there is no separate rate offered to student members for elective modules.
Please refer to the Frequently-asked Questions (FAQs) to know more.
Click here if you are interested in other VA related courses.
