How do you apply for DSI certification as a freelancer?

Applying for DSI Certification as a self-employed person

You want to get certified as a ZZP’er at DSI. Depending on whether you have your own AFM license, you will go through a number of steps: from obtaining the appropriate training to completing the screening procedure. In this way you demonstrate that you are competent and that you work according to the DSI standards.

Applying for DSI Certification as a self-employed person

Certifying as a ZZP-er

You have your own AFM license

Certifying as a ZZP-er

You don’t have your own AFM license
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Applying with your own AFM license

Here’s how to apply for your DSI certification

Applying or changing certification as an AFM-licensed ZZP-er involves several steps. We have outlined this process for you in this overview.

Register as a DSI Participant 1.
Register as a DSI Participant

Do you have your own AFM license? Then first register as a participant with DSI. Once your participation is approved, you can immediately start applying for the appropriate certification.

Do the Certification Guide 2.
Do the Certification Guide

DSI has developed a Certification Guide that allows you to quickly see which certification best suits your role through a few questions. At the end, you get the link directly to the most appropriate DSI register.

Start your application in MyDSI 3.
Start your application in MyDSI

You start your certification application in MyDSI, the secure portal for applying, viewing and changing certifications. Click Start New Certification Application, sign the statement of agreement, fill in your details, select yourself as a DSI participant and submit the digital employer statement.

Take the exams 4.
Take the exams

To be admitted to a DSI register you must, among other things, have successfully completed one or more exams. You complete these knowledge and/or skills exams at one of the DSI accredited trainers.

Go through the screening process 5.
Go through the screening process

A screening is an integral part of the certification process, both when you apply for a new certification and when you change your current certification. This screening is conducted by DISA. Have your own AFM license, then you go through an abbreviated certification process.

Wait for your review 6.
Wait for your review

A certification application takes an average of 16 business days, depending on the screening at DISA and the documents you provide.

Check your registration in the Public Registry 7.
Check your registration in the Public Registry

If you meet all the requirements, we will register your certification in the DSI Public Register. By doing so, you demonstrate that you meet the requirements for integrity, knowledge and skills, and you will automatically receive your DSI certificate by mail.

Follow the Continuing Professional Education program. 8.
Follow the Continuing Professional Education program.

Every DSI Certified Professional is required to take an annual Continuing Professional Education program recognized by DSI, with the exception of professionals registered in the DSI Register Integrity. With successful completion of the program, you meet all requirements as a certified professional.

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Applying without your own AFM license

Here’s how to apply for your DSI certification

Applying for or changing certification as a ZZP-er without an AFM license involves several steps. We have outlined this process for you in this overview.

Checking with the client 1.
Checking with the client

Don’t have your own AFM license? First check if the client is a DSI participant; if not, have them apply.
In addition, check if the client has a valid AFM license.

Do the Certification Guide 2.
Do the Certification Guide

DSI has developed a Certification Guide that allows you to quickly see which certification best suits your role through a few questions. At the end, you get the link directly to the most appropriate DSI register.

Start your application in MyDSI 3.
Start your application in MyDSI

You start your certification application in MyDSI, the secure portal for applying, viewing and changing certifications. Click Start New Certification Application, sign the statement of agreement, fill in your details, select your client as a DSI participant and submit the digital employer statement.

Take the exams 4.
Take the exams

To be admitted to a DSI register you must, among other things, have successfully completed one or more exams. You complete these knowledge and/or skills exams at one of the DSI accredited trainers.

Go through the screening process 5.
Go through the screening process

A screening is an integral part of the certification process, both when you apply for a new certification and when you change your current certification. This screening is conducted by DISA. Have your own AFM license, then you go through an abbreviated certification process.

Wait for your review 6.
Wait for your review

A certification application takes an average of 16 business days, depending on the screening at DISA and the documents you provide.

Check your registration in the Public Registry 7.
Check your registration in the Public Registry

If you meet all the requirements, we will register your certification in the DSI Public Register. By doing so, you demonstrate that you meet the requirements for integrity, knowledge and skills, and you will automatically receive your DSI certificate by mail.

Follow the Continuing Professional Education program. 8.
Follow the Continuing Professional Education program.

Every DSI Certified Professional is required to take an annual Continuing Professional Education program recognized by DSI, with the exception of professionals registered in the DSI Register Integrity. With successful completion of the program, you meet all requirements as a certified professional.

Applying for DSI Certification

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can be listed on multiple DSI registries, provided you meet the job profiles and entry requirements for each register. Each register focuses on specific roles within the financial and investment industry and helps you demonstrate that you meet the requirements for integrity and competence as a financial professional.

An overview of all DSI registries and their terms and conditions can be found via the link below this FAQ.

Overview of all DSI registries

This is stipulated by the European Securities & Markets Authority (ESMA), the issuer of the mandatory ESMA Guidelines. Only employees who have both an appropriate qualification and appropriate experience (as referred to in the ESMA Guidelines) may act within their organizations as supervisors of candidates for certification, i.e. professionals who do not yet meet the guidelines. The employee in question may not work under supervision for more than 4 years. For more information please refer to the ESMA Guidelines and the AFM.

The Financial Markets Authority requires 12 months of relevant work experience on a full-time basis.

Based on this, DSI sets the following requirement in relation to DSI certification:
The certified person must have spent a substantial part of his/her time in the past five years for 12 months (on a full-time basis) on work related to the registry, either in the current position or in a previous position.

This means that in the case of part-time employment, the required number of months of work experience should be higher (calculation depending on the part-time percentage).

DSI wants to ensure that employers are well informed about the work experience of their employees upon hire. Therefore, DSI requires employers to indicate in writing on the employer statement that the 12-month requirement has been met.

The data and documents you upload in MijnDSI in the context of a DSI certification are processed in accordance with DSI’s privacy policy. This involves careful handling of personal data of financial professionals in the financial and investment sector, with attention to integrity and careful data processing.

DSI uses different categories of personal data with corresponding retention periods. How long data is kept depends on the purpose for which it was collected and legal and organizational obligations.

Want to know exactly how DSI handles your personal data and what retention periods apply? Then read the full privacy statement via the link below this FAQ.

View privacy statement

Do you work in different positions related to multiple DSI registries? Then you can apply for an Additional Certification through MyDSI. More information about applying for an additional certification can be found via the link below

Note: If you are currently certified for an ‘Inform’ registry and want to move to an ‘Advise’ registry, choose ‘Change Certification‘ instead of an ‘Additional Certification’

Requesting additional certification

You do not need to resubmit information that has been submitted to us within the last two years. In order to apply for a new certification, however, you do have to go through another screening by DISA if the screening was taken more than 1 year ago.

Look here for more information on applying for certification.

Various requirements apply for admitting professionals to a registry and maintaining certification. These requirements range from admission requirements to mandatory attendance at a Continuing Professional Education program. Below is an overview of the various requirements.

Knowledge Exam
To be certified for a specific registry, a candidate must have successfully completed a knowledge exam at one of the accredited training institutions. The exams and requirements vary by registry.

Testing of Skills
Professionals must meet the professional competence requirements as stated in MiFID II and the ESMA guidelines for certification in one of the ESMA registers. Part of this includes the skills test. Through the examination, professionals demonstrate that they have the necessary skills to start and continue to work professionally.

DSI Integrity Program
A professional must have successfully completed the DSI Integrity Program. This program consists of an E-learning from the Netherlands Compliance Institute and, in the case of some registers, attending an additional workshop.

Work Experience
A certified has spent a substantial portion of his/her time in the past five years for 12 months (on a full-time basis) on work related to the registry, either in the current position or in previous positions.

Continuing Professional Education
Every certified is required to complete the Continuing Professional Education program annually. This allows certified individuals to keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date. These courses are taken at one of an accredited training institute.

View requirements by certification
All frequently asked questions
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