DSI Register
The Retail Investment Information Provider register lists professionals who offer non-professional investment clients information about investment solutions. Investment products like equities, bonds, investment funds and derivatives can be highly complicated. The constant innovations and changes in the field of investment can make them even more complex, so non-professional clients must be protected from making detrimental decisions.
Professionals who provide clients with information about investments must therefore meet certain requirements for professional expertise. A listing in the Retail Investment Information Provider register shows that the professional meets the requirements stipulated by DSI and ESMA.
For professionals who inform clients about investment solutions
Applying for certification
The Retail Investment Information Provider register is intended specifically for professionals who provide clients with information about investing.
A registered professional must comply with the ESMA guidelines in the areas of knowledge and competency. The AFM considers the successful completion of a DSI-accredited examination to be a suitable qualification, in accordance with the ESMA guidelines. These guidelines serve in part to protect the investor and encourage the sector to work fairly, honestly, transparently and efficiently.
Registered professionals may have one of two statuses: Certified Professional or Candidate Certified Professional. Both must comply with the Code of Conduct drawn up by DSI. The difference is in the level of education or work experience the professional has acquired. A professional can receive the status of candidate certified if they do not meet all of these requirements.
Certified Professionals listed in the Retail Investment Information Provider register have successfully completed examinations for knowledge and skills. During a 12-month period (fulltime equivalent) over the past five years, they have spent a substantial portion of their time on register-related activities, and have participated in the annual DSI Continuing Professional Education program.
The Retail Investment Information Provider register lists professionals employed in the investment sector in departments such as an exchange order line or investment operations. These professionals provide clients with information about the content of investment products and services, and/or process and receive investment orders.
The thing all of the registered professionals have in common is that they inform non-professional investors, such as private individuals.
The knowledge that a professional registered in the Retail Investment Information Provider register must possess is listed in the DSI qualifications. These qualifications were drawn up by the DSI advisory committees and DSI Accreditation Committee, and are based on the legal requirements stipulated by ESMA a few years ago.
As a professional investment information provider, you must meet the MiFID II requirements for professional expertise. The ESMA Guidelines for Retail Investment Information Provider are based on these requirements. A professional listed in the DSI Retail Investment Information Provider register has acquired sufficient knowledge in the following areas:
Which conditions does DSI place on admission to the register?
Admission to the register and maintenance of the certification status are subject to a variety of requirements. These requirements vary from admission standards to the obligation of participating in a Continuing Professional Education program. A list of the various requirements and information about the Continuing Professional Education Program are provided below.
The candidate must have successfully completed the DSI Retail Information Provider Integrity Programme. This programme consists of a Retail e-learning module created by the Netherlands Compliance Institute (Integrity module). For more information and registration, click here.
If you wish to be certified in the Retail Investment Information Provider register, you can choose from a variety of education institutions that are accredited to administer examinations. These parties also offer educational programmes to help you prepare for the exams. You are free to choose your preferred provider. We recommend that you ask your employer if the organisation has made any collective agreements with the education providers.
Since 2018, professionals listed in the Retail Investment Information Provider register are required to meet the professional expertise standards stipulated by MiFID II and the ESMA Guidelines. This includes the successful completion of a skills exam. The exam proves that you as a professional possess the necessary skills to perform your work in a competent manner.
The successful completion of a skills exam only applies for the first time you request certification in a register (the initial study programme). There are several accredited skills examination providers available. You are free to choose your preferred provider. We recommend that you ask your employer if the organisation has made any collective agreements with the education providers.
During a 12-month period (fulltime equivalent) over the past five years, the Certified Professional has spent a substantial portion of his/her time on register-related activities, whether in the current position or in previous positions.
You can find the fees for DSI Certification here.
As a DSI (Candidate) Certified Professional listed in the Retail Investment Information Provider register, you are required to successfully complete the Continuing Professional Education programme each year. You can choose from a variety of education institutions that are accredited to provide the Continuing Professional Education program.
Successful completion of the DSI Continuing Professional Education programme indicates that you have met all of the legal requirements for certification. More information about the Continuing Professional Education programme can be found here.
Please note: You are free to choose your preferred provider. We recommend that you ask your employer if the organisation has made any collective agreements with the education providers.
If you have any questions about the Retail Investment Information Provider register, and cannot find the answers in the FAQ page, please contact one of our DSI associates. We would be happy to help you! You can contact us by e-mail via certificering@dsi.nl or by calling 020-6201274.