Licensing Examination for Securities and Futures Intermediaries

The Licensing Examination for Securities and Futures Intermediaries (LE) is a practical, market-focused examination designed for individuals pursuing careers in Hong Kong’s securities and investment industry.

Under the Securities and Futures Ordinance, a single licensing regime covers 13 types of regulated activity (RA). Individuals need one licence or registration to carry on different types of RA.

The LE meets the competence requirements for individuals seeking licences as Representatives and/or Responsible Officers, as recognised by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and other regulatory bodies, including Insurance Authority and other professional organisations.

Examination Papers:

Regulatory Papers (i.e. LE Papers 1 to 6, and 18) and Practical Papers (i.e. LE Papers 7 to 12, and 19) are approved by the SFC as Recognised Industry Qualifications and Local Regulatory Framework Papers for respective regulated activities (RAs) under the SFC’s "Guidelines on Competence".

Additional Competence Requirements Papers: 
Sponsor Papers (i.e. LE Papers 15 and 16) are approved by the SFC for the examinations under the sponsor eligibility requirements for Type 6 (advising on corporate finance) individuals wishing to engage in sponsor work as Principals and representatives, or relevant individuals respectively.

LE Paper 17 is approved by the SFC for meeting the SFC’s enhanced competence requirements for licensed persons of Type 6 (advising on corporate finance) regulated activity intending to engage in or advise on matters or transactions subject to the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buy-backs.

Remark: LE Paper 13 and 14 will be offered upon the commencement of the new licensing regime for Type 12 RA (providing client clearing services for OTC derivative transactions).

The HKSI Institute has not authorised any third-party to offer LE revision tools or study support resources. The HKSI Institute shall not be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from the use of resources provided by other third-party providers. Read more

LE and the SFC Licences for Regulated Activities

Please select the RA you want to engage in to understand the requirements on the relevant Recognised Industry Qualifications (RIQ) and Local Regulatory Framework Papers (LRP), and additional LE Papers for individuals who engage in Type 6 RA and intend to fulfil SFC’s eligibility criteria.

 

LE Papers for RA Type 1, 4 and 8

RAs:

  • Type 1 - Dealing in securities
  • Type 4 - Advising on securities
  • Type 8 - Securities margin financing
  Recognised Industry Qualifications (RIQ) Local Regulatory Framework Papers (LRP)
Representatives LE Papers 7+8 LE Papers 1
Responsible Officers LE Papers 7+8 LE Paper 1+2

 

LE Papers for RA Type 2 and 5

RAs:

  • Type 2 - Dealing in futures contracts
  • Type 5 - Advising on futures contracts
  Recognised Industry Qualifications (RIQ) Local Regulatory Framework Papers (LRP)
Representatives LE Papers 7+9 LE Papers 1
Responsible Officers LE Papers 7+9 LE Paper 1+3

 

LE Papers for RA Type 6

RAs:

  • Type 6 - Advising on corporate finance
  Recognised Industry Qualifications (RIQ) Local Regulatory Framework Papers (LRP)
Representatives LE Papers 7+11 LE Papers 1
Responsible Officers LE Papers 7+11 LE Paper 1+5

 

  • for sponsors
  Additional Paper
Principals LE Paper 15
Representatives LE Paper 16

 

  • for Type 6 persons wishing to engage in or advise on matters or transactions subject to the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buy-back (unless exempted) – LE Paper 17
LE Papers for RA Type 9

RAs:

  • Type 9 - Asset management
  Recognised Industry Qualifications (RIQ) Local Regulatory Framework Papers (LRP)
Representatives LE Papers 7+12 LE Papers 1
Responsible Officers LE Papers 7+12 LE Paper 1+6

 

LE Papers for RA Type 10

RAs:

  • Type 10 - Providing credit rating services
  Recognised Industry Qualifications (RIQ) Local Regulatory Framework Papers (LRP)
Representatives LE Papers 7+10 LE Papers 1
Responsible Officers LE Papers 7+10 LE Paper 1+4

 

LE Papers for RA Type 13

RAs:

  • Type 13 - Providing depositary services for relevant Collective Investment Schemes
  Recognised Industry Qualifications (RIQ) Local Regulatory Framework Papers (LRP)
Representatives LE Papers 7+19 LE Papers 1
Responsible Officers LE Papers 7+19 LE Paper 1+18

 

 

Remarks

  • For exemptions from the RIQ and LRP requirements, please refer to paragraph 4.4 of the SFC's “Guidelines on Competence”.
  • Type 3 RA (Leveraged Foreign Exchange Trading) is not included in the above since the HKSI Institute does not offer any examination papers on this RA.
  • There is no RIQ and LRP requirements for Type 7 RA (Providing Automated Trading Services).
Examination Details and Fees

Format: Multiple-choice Questions (MCQ)
Examination Question Language: English and Traditional Chinese
Pass Mark: 70% for each paper
Mode: Computer-based Examination (CBE)
Examination System and Interface Language: Examination Simulator ; English or Traditional Chinese
Examination Venue: HKSI Institute Computer-Based Examination (CBE) Centre (Examination Day Flow)

 

The examination syllabus and fee schedule are listed below.

 

Syllabus No. of MCQs Duration (minutes) Frequency* Examination Fees
Paper 1

Fundamentals of Securities and Futures Regulation

60 90 Monthly HKD1,475

Paper 2

Regulation of Securities

40 60 Monthly HKD1,750
Paper 3

Regulation of Derivatives

40 60 Monthly HKD1,750
Paper 4

Regulation of Credit Rating Services

40 60 Quarterly HKD1,750
Paper 5

Regulation of Corporate Finance

40 60 Monthly HKD1,750

Paper 6

Regulation of Asset Management

40 60 Monthly HKD1,750
Paper 18 Regulation of Providing Depositary Services 40 60 Monthly HKD1,750

 

* For the examination dates and application deadlines, please click here. Please note that enrolment is on a first-come-first-served basis. The number of examination sessions may be increased as needed to meet demand.

Examination Regulations
  1. General Rules and Regulations:
    • Candidates are strongly advised to carefully read all the rules and regulations set before attempting any examination.
    • Key areas covered included “General Rules”, “Proof of Identity”, “Use of Electronic Calculators” and “Misconduct”. 
  2. Handling Misconduct Cases:
    • If a candidate is suspected of breaching examination regulations during the examination:
      • Immediate suspension from taking any further HKSI Institute’s examinations.
      • Examination results are withheld until the entire process for handling alleged misconduct cases is completed and the candidate is not disqualified from the examination.
  3. Suspension Period and Rescheduling:
    • During the suspension period, candidates cannot re-schedule their enrolled examinations to another session.
    • All fees paid are non-transferable and non-refundable.
  4. Investigation and Decision Making:
    • The HKSI Institute will investigate all alleged misconduct cases.
    • Cases may be reported to the Examinations Disciplinary Panel and/or Appeal Panel for decision-making.
  5. Consequence of Breach: 
    • Failure to observe regulations may lead to disqualification from the examination.
    • Candidates may be suspended from taking any HKSI Institute examinations from six months to five years.
  6. Reporting and Record Keeping:
    • The HKSI Institute will report instances of candidates breaching these examination regulations to the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).
    • The Institute reserves the right to report to the police, inform relevant stakeholders, and display information about the misconduct case on its website.  
    • All misconduct cases are recorded in candidates’ personal records maintained by the Institute for future reference. 

Read All the Rules and Regulations

Study Support

To help candidates prepare for the LE, the HKSI Institute offers Study Guides in both English and Chinese. These guides provide comprehensive reading materials and necessary information on the subject matters, helping candidates develop the competencies assessed in the examination.  Candidates enrolling for the LEs held in Hong Kong/Macau can download the respective eStudy Guides for free via the HKSI Institute Online Portal or "Downloads" tab in the "Menu" of the HKSI Institute Mobile from the enrolment date until the examination date. The HKSI Institute periodically revises and updates these study guides. For details, please click Updating Your Study Guides.

Additional Resources for LE Papers 18 and 19:

  • Upon enrolment in LE Paper 18 and Paper 19, candidates will have access to a sample practice test available under the “CPT/Non-CPT Activity” tab in the “Upcoming Activity” section of the HKSI Institute Online Portal/"My eCourses" of the HKSI Institute Mobile.
  • Additionally, a 2-hour e-Seminar (in English with Traditional Chinese subtitles) will be available upon enrolment of LE Paper 19.

Both the sample practice test and e-Seminar will be accessible from the day after enrolment for up to 90 days.

Revision Tools

The HKSI Institute has developed the Guidelines for Examination Preparation and Sample Practice Tests to assist candidates in their preparing for the LE.

Examination Results
  • All examination results are graded as follows:
    PASS or
    FAIL or
    ABSENT
  • Candidates can view their grade in the examination system immediately after the respective examination session.
  • Candidates can download and print the Notification of Results and Performance Analysis from the Online Portal approximately TWO HOURS after each examination. If candidates cannot obtain their Notification of Results from the Online Portal within one day of the aforementioned timeframe, please contact the Institute at [email protected].
  • The Notification of Results and Performance Analysis will be available for candidates to download and print from the Online Portal within ONE YEAR of the examination date. 
External Recognitions

HKSI Practising Certificates and HKSI Specialist Certificates, which are granted to candidates who have completed a preset combination of LE examination papers, are recognised by the Insurance Authority (IA) of Hong Kong.  Holders of either of these certificates are exempted from taking the "Investment-linked Long Term Insurance Examination" of the Insurance Intermediaries Quality Assurance Scheme (IIQAS).

Certificate and Membership

Upon the successful completion of a preset combination of examinations within three years (the 3-year period will commence from the date of the first LE paper that the candidate passes), candidates will be awarded the HKSI Institute Certificate. 

The Certificate will be available in the Online Portal approximately EIGHT working days after the last examination date of the preset LE paper. Candidates can download and print the Certificate within ONE YEAR of the certificate date. 

There are two levels of certification:

Certificate

Combination

HKSI Institute Practising Certificate - Securities

LE Papers 1 + 7 + 8

HKSI Institute Practising Certificate - Derivatives

LE Papers 1 + 7 + 9

HKSI Institute Practising Certificate - Credit Rating Services

LE Papers 1 + 7 + 10

HKSI Institute Practising Certificate - Corporate Finance

LE Papers 1 + 7 + 11

HKSI Institute Practising Certificate - Asset Management

LE Papers 1 + 7 + 12

HKSI Institute Practising Certificate - Depositary Services

LE Papers 1 + 7 + 19

The aforesaid three-year completion period will NOT be extended under any circumstances.

All certificates will be issued to the eligible candidates ONCE only within the three-year completion period. Candidates will NOT be awarded more than one certificate of the same type within this period.

Additional certificate of the same type will be issued to candidates only when they have completed ALL the LE examination papers offered by the HKSI Institute, obtained ALL 10 types of certificates within the required three-year completion period and have subsequently re-attempted and passed the required preset combination of examination papers for the corresponding certificate(s). In this case, candidates will be given another three years to complete the required examination papers. The new completion period will commence from the date of the first re-attempted LE paper that the candidate passes.

 

Examination Cancellation/Rescheduling Due to Bad Weather or Unexpected Situation

Candidates need to be aware of the guidelines for cancelling or rescheduling of examinations due to bad weather or any unexpected situation.

Candidates will be notified via email and HKSI Institute Mobile App regarding the examination arrangement or cancellation. 

Guidelines on Examination Cancellation/Rescheduling Due to Bad Weather or Unexpected Situation

Notice Relating to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance

The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (the “Ordinance”) has been effective in Hong Kong since late 1996.  This notice is intended to help candidates understand their obligations and rights regarding the provision of their personal data to the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI Institute) and how the HKSI Institute may use or handle such data. 

  1. Candidates must keep the HKSI Institute updated of any changes in their personal data from the time they enrol as candidates for an examination until they completed it.
  2. The HKSI Institute will use the personal data provided for the following purposes:
    i administering the examination and marketing;
    ii delivering information about the examination;
    iii maintaining candidate records;
    iv distribution of examination results to concerned candidates;
    v certifying candidates’ examination-related information to the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA);
    vi reporting information of candidates violating the examination regulations to the SFC and the HKMA, the police, inform relevant stakeholders, and display information about the misconduct case on HKSI institute website;
    vii transferring, releasing, disclosing or providing to the SFC and the HKMA for monitoring, verifying and conducting matching (including “matching procedure” as defined in s.2 of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, Cap 486) purposes as well as any other related purposes of assisting SFC and the HKMA to perform and discharge their functions;
    viii informing candidates of activities, courses, examinations, products or services that the HKSI Institute believes may interest them;
    ix conducting research or statistical analysis;
    x promoting and providing services offered by the HKSI Institute, SFC or such third parties as determined by the HKSI Institute;
    xi releasing information to the relevant third parties on whose behalf the HKSI Institute administers, conducts or organises examinations and to any third party that the HKSI Institute engages to administer and/or conduct examinations for and on behalf of the HKSI Institute; and
    xii any other related purposes. 
  3. The HKSI Institute will keep candidates’ personal data confidential. Nevertheless, during its operations, the HKSI Institute may compare, transfer or exchange their data with the data already possessed, or obtained hereafter, by the HKSI Institute for these or any other purposes.
  4. Candidates have the right, under the Ordinance, to request access to, or correction of any data provided by them as per the manner and limitations prescribed therein.
  5. As the Ordinance allows, the HKSI Institute has the right to charge a reasonable fee for the processing of any request for data access.
  6. Candidates who wish to request access to or correction of their data should do so in writing to the HKSI Institute as below:
    Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute
    17/F, Cambridge House, Taikoo Place,
    979 King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
    Curriculum and Examinations Department
    Administrative Officer
  7. Candidates who do not want to receive any information on activities, courses or examinations organised by the HKSI Institute should write to the HKSI Institute.
Enrolment, Rescheduling and Withdrawal of Examination Session

Enrolment

Click here for details and the enrolment steps.

Rescheduling

Rescheduling is applicable for all LE Papers in Hong Kong, excluding Paper 4 and 10, before the rescheduling deadline. Click here for details.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal services are only applicable to the LE in Hong Kong and Macau.  Click here for details.

Qualification