- Learning
- Certificate in Financial Services Advice (CFSA)
- Certificate in Advanced Financial Advice (CAFA)
- Certificate in Advanced Investment Advice (CAIA)
- Certificate in Small Business Banking (CSBB)
- Certificate in Technical Analysis (CITA)
- Certificate in Investment Dealer Compliance (CIDC)
- Certificate in Derivatives Market Strategies (CDMS)
- Certificate in Retirement Strategy (CRS)
- Certificate in Estate Planning & Trust Strategy (CETS)
- Certificate in Commercial Credit (CICC)
- Certificate in Personal Banking (CPB)
- Certificate In Bank Management (CBM)
- Micro-Certificate in Alternative Investments (MCAI)
- View All Certificate Pathways
- Fellow of CSI (FCSI®)
- Personal Financial Planner (PFP®)
- Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®)
- Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM)
- Designated Financial Services Advisor (DFSA™)
- Estate & Trust Professional (MTI®)
- CSI Path to Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
- CSI Path to Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP™)
- CSI Path to Financial Planning Program – Quebec (IQPF)
- View All Designation Pathways
- Personal Financial Services Advice (PFSA)
- Financial Planning I (FP I)
- Financial Planning II (FP II)
- Financial Planning Supplement (FPSU)
- Investment Advisors Training Program (IATP)
- Financial Planning Integration Course (FPIC)
- Applied Financial Planning Certification Exam (AFP)
- CIWM Certification Examination
- Life Licence Qualification Program Insurance Course (LLQP)
- View All Courses
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CFSA: Preferred Credential for Personal Bankers
Better understand your clients' unique financial needs and goals to build positive client relationships with the CFSA.
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PFP® Approved Under FSRA Title Regulation
FSRA has approved the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation for Financial Planner title use in Ontario.
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Explore Multiple Career Paths
Explore different roles and opportunities available in the financial services industry and view the recommended courses and credentials.
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Meet CE Requirements Quickly and Easily
Explore continuing education courses and meet your requirements for CSI, CIRO, CSF and other professional associations or certifications.
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Drive Effective Client Conversations
Get started with the Personal Financial Services Advice (PFSA) course to enhance your soft skills and build profitable client relationships.
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Explore Multiple Career Paths
Explore different roles and opportunities available in the financial services industry and view the recommended courses and credentials.
- Exams & Administration
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Canadian Securities Course CSC®
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Preparing to Take Your CSI Exam?
Write your exam through Remote Proctoring from any location (including your home) or In-Person at one of our test centres.
- Credentials
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Credentials That Matter
Meet the highest standards of experience & education for financial professionals with CSI certificates, designations & fellowship.
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FCSI® – The Highest Honour in Financial Services
Join an elite group of leaders in financial services and make a meaningful impact for your clients with the Fellow of CSI (FCSI®).
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PFP® – The Premier Credential for Financial Planners
Master financial planning skills with the ISO and FSRA-certified Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation.
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CIM® – The Recognized Credential for Investment Managers
Learn how to manage money on a discretionary basis for sophisticated clients with Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®).
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CIWM – The Leading Credential for Wealth Managers
Establish your credibility to address the unique needs of affluent clients with Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM).
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MTI® – Prestigious Credential for Trust & Wealth Managers
Gain expertise in the regulations and tax implications that are crucial for management and transfer of wealth with MTI®.
- Corporate Solutions
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Talent Pro connects organizations with qualified and licensed candidates to fill active opportunities in the banking industry.
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Find Qualified Candidates Faster
Talent Pro connects organizations with qualified and licensed candidates to fill active opportunities in the banking industry.
- Insights
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Decoding Sustainable Investing: Strategies for the Canadian Market
Gain valuable insights to navigate the rapidly evolving ESG and Sustainable Investing realm.
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Webinars to Boost Financial Literacy
During Financial Literacy Month we aim to help Canadians understand their finances better & navigate the changing economic landscape.
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Become a Speaker With CSI
CSI Podium offers designation holders opportunities to speak on topics to benefit their clients, colleagues, and the investing public via webinars.
- About
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PFP® Approved Under FSRA Title Regulation
FSRA has approved the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation for Financial Planner title use in Ontario.
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PFP® Approved Under FSRA Title Regulation
FSRA has approved the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation for Financial Planner title use in Ontario.
CSI will be performing system maintenance on Saturday May 11th from 5 a.m. until 1 p.m. ET. You will not have access to your “myCSI” student account, nor will you be able to book, cancel or reschedule exams during this time. You can still access your online course materials by visiting connect.csi.ca then connecting to “Blackboard Learn”.
Hours of study: 95 – 135 Hours
Enrolment Period: 1 Year
What is the DFOL exam weighting?
| Exam Topics | Weightings |
|---|---|
| An Overview of Derivatives | 3% |
| Futures Contracts | 11% |
| Exchange Traded Options | 14% |
| Swaps | 7% |
| How Investment Funds and Structured Products Use Derivatives | 6% |
| A Review of the Risk and Reward Profiles of Common Option Strategies | 16% |
| Opening and Maintaining Option Accounts | 25% |
| The Role of Clearing Corporations and Exchanges in Listed Options Trading | 10% |
| Contract Adjustments and Special Considerations and Risks of Non-Equity Options | 8% |
What is the DFOL exam structure?
| Structure | Information |
|---|---|
| Exams | 1 |
| Exam Format | Proctored (remote or in-person at a test centre) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Question Format | Multiple Choice |
| Questions Per Exam | 100* |
| Attempts Allowed Per Exam | 3 |
| Passing Grade | 60% |
| Assignments | None |
* If you enrolled before December 6, 2023, your DFOL exam will consist of 110 questions.
What Continuing Education (CE) credits will you earn?
| Accreditation | Credits |
|---|---|
| ADVOCIS Structured Learning CE | 30 |
| MTI | 30 |
| CIM Professional development | 40 |
| PFP Professional development | 30 |
| CIWM Professional development | 15 |
| CSF General Subjects | 10 |
| CSF Compliance | 10 |
| CSF Mutual Funds | 10 |
| CIRO-ID Professional Development | 20 |
| CIRO-MF Professional Development | 20 |
View CE credits for all CSI courses and all associations.
While CSI makes every effort to ensure that the information is up-to-date, we are unfortunately unable to fully guarantee its accuracy. The information listed in the chart may be subject to change.