CDCS Recertification Handbook 2014

Transcription

1 Level 4 Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS ) 601/1159/8 CDCS Recertification Handbook 2014

2 CONTENTS Page 1. CDCS recertification 3 2. Overview of continuing professional development (CPD) for CDCS 3 3. Accepted CPD 4 4. Logging CPD activities 6 5. Recertification cycles 7 6. CDCS recertification fees 7 7. Extension of the CDCS CPD period 8 8. CDCS registry 8 9. CDCS recognised course registry Contact details 9 2

3 1. CDCS Recertification 1.1 The CDCS recertification programme provides a framework that aims encourage you to continue professional development beyond the examination, and will enable you to demonstrate your professionalism to employers, colleagues and customers. 1.2 Valid certifications may be renewed indefinitely, but will expire without timely renewal. To keep certifications current, and thereby continue to use the CDCS designation, you must recertify every three years by: i. successfully completing / retaking the CDCS examination again; or, ii. completing continuing professional development (CPD). 2. Overview of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for CDCS 2.1 You will be expected to demonstrate that you have developed and built upon prior learning to enhance your documentary credit knowledge and skills as a result of carrying out CPD activities. As part of maintaining your CDCS designation, you are expected to go through certain stages in planning and completing CPD, consistent with ifs University College s focus on the relevance and learning outcomes of any activity. 2.2 ifs University College s CDCS CPD scheme requires that, in the three years after being awarded a CDCS designation, you must complete 24 hours of CPD. You must provide evidence to support the fact that the CPD activity has taken place. 2.3 Every hour of CPD is equal to one CPD credit, (also known as Professional Development Unit (PDU)) so every hour of attendance at ifs University College approved seminars, workshops, conferences and training sessions is worth one CPD credit. 2.4 A maximum of 16 CPD credits may be earned in any 12 month period and from any single activity. 2.5 You are responsible for collecting the evidence to confirm that you have undertaken appropriate CPD activity. 2.6 The CPD activities undertaken will depend on your particular development and learning objectives. All CPD activities should reflect, and be relevant to, your current and / or future profile of professional practice. 2.7 Activities that are routine in your daily work, or which might form part of your everyday job may not be considered as CPD. For example: i. general reading of the press / online feeds either daily or specialist; and, 3

4 ii. preparing for a presentation or similar activity in an area familiar you as a CDCS holder (which might thus be seen as a normal part of your role). 2.8 If the activities are not routine for you, then they may be considered as CPD. 3. Accepted CPD 3.1 You should evaluate the CPD that you have undertaken in accordance with the guidelines in this section. 3.2 Only activities related to documentary credits, international trade or related topics will be considered for CPD. Management, personal development and product-specific activities will not necessarily qualify. 3.3 CPD must last for a minimum of 30 minutes. 3.4 Examples of CPD activities include: studying for a qualification in a relevant subject area (eg Certificate in International Trade and Finance (CITF )); attending a training workshop or seminar; undertaking e-learning or an online test; delivering training to others (where not normally part of your job or as a new / first-time activity for which greater research and preparation are required); writing / researching a report (where not normally part of your job or as a new / first-time activity for which greater research and preparation are required); reading, where a self-administered test or a piece of reflective writing is carried out to confirm development of knowledge; attending industry briefings; and, preparing a presentation, writing a study report, delivering training or a similar activity in an area familiar to you where not normally part of your day-to-day activities. 3.5 A certificate of attendance will be required and / or a self-reflection statement will need to be completed after attendance at a workshop, seminar, industry briefing or other event / exhibition to clarify what you learnt from the activity. 3.6 Should ifs University College need to clarify information with CPD training or programme providers the request will be restricted to clarifying that the CPD meets ifs University College requirements. ifs University College will not contact the CPD training or programme provider without your permission and no assessment of the training provider will be carried out when considering CPD evidence supplied by you. 4

5 3.7 Summary table of CPD credits that may be earned within categories: Category Description Maximum CPD credits 1 Seminars, workshops, conferences, virtual conferences, training sessions and ICC banking commission meetings 2 College / universitylevel course 3 Authoring publications and papers in trade finance 4 Teaching, speaking and presentations in trade finance 5 Certificate in International Trade and Finance (CITF ) One CPD credit for attendance at each 60-minute session or contact hour in documentary credits, international trade and / or related topic areas. (The hours eligible for CPD credit exclude lunch breaks and coffee breaks.) One CPD credit for attendance at each 60-minute session or contact hour in documentary credits, international trade and / or related topic areas. Two CPD credits for each page on a related topic area, published in a magazine, newspaper or book. Two CPD credits for each hour of presentation in a related topic area. Unless the content is sufficiently varied, presentations can only be claimed once in each three-year recertification cycle, repeat talks will not qualify for credit. CPD credits may be earned towards CDCS recertification by passing the CITF examination. No maximum all CPD credits may be earned in this category, subject to a maximum of 16 CPD credits earned in any one year. Maximum of 16 CPD credits may be earned in any CPD year. Maximum of 12 CPD credits may be earned in a threeyear CPD cycle. Maximum of six CPD credits may be earned in a threeyear CPD cycle. Validating CPD Declarations 3.8 ifs University College reserves the right to validate declarations confirming their adherence to CDCS recertification guidelines. 3.9 ifs University College will look at the following, when deciding whether the appropriate amount of CPD has been completed: i. number of CPD credits / hours of CPD submitted; ii. relevance to the CDCS learning outcomes; iii. relevance to documentary credits / the industry; and, iv. evidence provided. 5

6 3.10 If your CPD record provides insufficient evidence to verify that the criteria have been met, ifs University College will provide help and guidance to explain what is required and explain the next steps If you fail to provide satisfactory evidence, your designation may be withdrawn and your name removed from the CDCS registry. 4. Logging CPD activities 4.1 CPD activities can be logged using the CPD logging spread sheet (Excel), the spread sheet can be found at During any three-year recertification cycle, it is your responsibility to maintain your current address and address with ifs University College. 4.3 CPD credits may not be carried over from one CPD cycle to another. 4.4 Summary table of how CPD activities can be reported: Submission Date On completion of a task ifs University College The individual can log the activity using the CPD logging spread sheet, as each activity is completed. The CPD activities will not be audited / reviewed by ifs University College until a fee has been paid. Fees can be paid on an annual or three-yearly basis (see section 6.2 for more details). Annually CDCS CPD log should be completed by 30 April, with details of the CPD activities completed during the previous 12 month period Your evidence will be checked, approved and you will receive verification of the number of CPD credits earned during the year. Completion of three-year recertification cycle All CPD activities must be completed by 30 April in year three of the recertification cycle. The CDCS CPD logging spread sheet must be submitted by the 30 June deadline following the completion of a three-year post-designation cycle. The recertification fee must be paid before your CPD log is reviewed. Making sure you are fully prepared 4.5 ifs University College has the following recommendations to make, to help you organise and collate the evidence in support of your CPD record submission: 6

7 ifs University College recommends that you use the CDCS CPD logging spread sheet to record your CPD, it will help you to organise your CPD and assist ifs University College when carrying out its verification process. If you are unable to maintain electronic records of your CPD or CPD evidence, we recommend that you keep all hard copies of your CPD evidence, filed in order and in a secure place. It may be helpful to scan paper copies as back-ups and to hold them electronically. Should CPD evidence be mislaid, damaged or destroyed, you will be expected to obtain replacement evidence. 5. Recertification cycles 5.1 The first recertification cycle will start after successful completion of the examination. It will conclude three years later. So, for example: i. if you earn your certification in April 2014, you will complete your first three-year recertification cycle on 30 April 2017; and, ii. following the first three-year CPD cycle, subsequent recertification cycles will start on 1 May and conclude three years later on 30 April. 5.2 CPD activities must have been completed within the three-year window. However, you have until 30 June of year three to submit the evidence / complete the CPD logging tool and pay the appropriate fee. Submissions between 1 July and 30 September in year three will incur a late fee. 5.3 A new certificate will be issued at the successful completion of each three-year recertification cycle. The CDCS registry will also be updated at this time. 6. CDCS recertification fees 6.1 At the completion of each three-year recertification cycle, you must forward the appropriate administrative fee to ifs University College, and must have completed a CDCS CPD log. 6.2 Recertification fees: Payable years 1 and 2 43 Payable year ifs University College (fees are in GBP) Registration and recertification fee if none is paid in years 1 and 2 Fee for late submission of CPD evidence and payment (after 30 June and before 30 September)

8 7. Extension of CDCS CPD period 7.1 Applications, with supporting evidence, for extensions to the CPD period will be considered on an individual, case-by-case basis by ifs University College. 7.2 Extensions are only likely to be granted for exceptional circumstances, such as long-term ill health or military service. 8. CDCS Registry 8.1 An international CDCS Registry is maintained and updated on a regular basis. It is published annually in June and posted on the CDCS website If you cannot find your name on the registry or details are incorrect, please contact ifs University College. 9. CDCS Recognised Course Registry 9.1 ifs University College maintains a recognised course registry for organisations and training providers stating that a professional development activity is eligible for CPD credits. A complete list of courses recognised by ifs University College may be found in the CPD section of the CDCS website ( For additional information, please refer to the CDCS recertification course recognition guidelines for course providers, which are available from: i. ifs University College cdcs@ifslearning.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) (option 1) Fax: +44 (0) ii. CDCS web site: Recognised courses, conferences, seminars, etc. may be delivered via a variety of methods, including on-line, distance learning and face-to-face. 8

9 10. Contact details 10.1 For further information or queries, please contact ifs University College at the address below: ifs University College Postal address ifs University College ifs House 4 9 Burgate Lane Canterbury Kent CT1 2XJ Telephone +44 (0) (option 1) cdcs@ifslearning.ac.uk 9

10 Level 4 Certified Documentary Credit Specialist (CDCS ) About the ifs University College ifs University College is the university for financial education. London-based, it is a registered charity incorporated by Royal Charter that exists to ensure a flow of talented individuals into the financial services industry and related sectors. Its qualifications enable individuals to reach their full professional potential and encourage appropriate and ethical practice. It also works to enhance the financial wellbeing of future generations through its unique personal finance qualifications and wider financial capability initiatives. ifs University College ifs House 4-9 Burgate Lane Canterbury Kent CT1 2XJ T: +44 (0) (option 1) E: customerservices@ifslearning.ac.uk W: About the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) The International Chamber of Commerce is the largest representative business organisation in the world. The ICC has hundreds of thousands of member companies across +130 countries covering interests spanning across every sector of private enterprise. The ICC Banking Commission is the largest commission within the ICC and is a leading ruling body for the banking industry globally, gaining a reputation for being the most authoritative voice in the field of trade finance. International Chamber of Commerce 38 cours Albert 1er Paris, France T: +33 (0) E: icc@iccwbo.org W: 10