Questions and answers about DSI Certification
The process of choosing or changing a certification can raise many questions for both professionals and employers. We have therefore created this DSI Certification FAQ page to offer you as a professional or employer practical tips on how to find your way in the DSI Certification process.
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For professionals Applying for a certification in MijnDSI by professionals
For employers User manual about the employer portal in MyDSI
DSI certification is the standard in the investment sector. Hundreds of financial enterprises in the Netherlands are affiliated with DSI and require certification with DSI for investment professionals. DSI was established on the initiative of the sector to fulfill self-regulation and has a covenant with the regulator, the Authority Financial Markets (AFM).
It is not legally mandatory to be affiliated with or certified by DSI. However, financial enterprises have a legal obligation to ensure an integral business operation. DSI assists in this by promoting and safeguarding the expertise and integrity of financial professionals.
By obtaining certification, you objectively demonstrate to clients, prospects, your employer, and regulatory authorities that you prioritize and invest in integrity and expertise. DSI certification serves as a valuable business card. If you are DSI-certified from 2018 onward, you also comply with the mandatory European ESMA Guidelines. Additionally, you will be listed in our public register, accessible to everyone.
DSI stands for independent and serious self-regulation. DSI’s approach is characterized by a system that promotes and demonstrably ensures the integrity and expertise of financial professionals, while also intervening when necessary. Through an agreement with the AFM, DSI also ensures that, as a DSI-certified individual from 2018 onwards, you comply with the mandatory European ESMA Guidelines.
Every professional certified by DSI undergoes thorough screening, possesses relevant education and work experience, completes training to handle integrity dilemmas effectively, and undergoes periodic assessments of integrity and expertise. Furthermore, certified individuals commit to the DSI code of conduct. If violated, disciplinary proceedings apply. This system ensures that consumers, employers, and regulators can trust that certified individuals meet the most recent requirements set by the industry and the European Securities & Markets Authority.
Both certified individuals and candidate-certified individuals are listed in the DSI Public Register and adhere to the code of conduct established by DSI. The distinction lies in the aspect of education or work experience. We have elaborated on the difference between certified and candidate-certified here.
If you are certified, you naturally want to convey that. As a DSI-certified professional, you are allowed to use the DSI logo for this purpose. However, there are conditions attached to the use of this logo. Read on for the general terms and conditions and its use on social media such as Twitter and LinkedIn.
A passive registration is associated with our old registers (before 2018). The status was linked, among other things, to the work experience requirement. It is no longer possible to apply for a passive registration. As of January 1, 2024, DSI will stop offering this status.
How to convert your passive registration to an active registration? Through your account in MyDSI, you have the option to (re)activate your DSI certification to a register that aligns with your current role. Click on the “I want to change my passive registration” button in MyDSI for this purpose. Depending on the register you want to register for, there are certain obligations associated with this change.
DSI will stop the passive registered status as of January 1, 2024. As of January 1, 2024, DSI will discontinue offering the passive registered status. Therefore, you have until December 31, 2023, to (re)activate your passive status. Every passively certified individual has already received a personal email from DSI regarding this. If we do not receive a response to this message before December 31, 2023, your registration with DSI will be automatically terminated. In that case, we thank you for your involvement with DSI and invite you to subscribe to the DSI newsletter to stay informed about future developments.
Are you currently (candidate)certified in one of our registers and would like to register for an exam (Knowledge, Skills, Integrity)? For more information, refer to the register in which you are included in our DSI Certification Overview. Under the admission requirements for each register, you will find all the information about the training for each competency component and the registration process.
Note! It may also be possible to register for an exam through your employer.
The easiest way to find your DSI registration number is through the DSI Public Register. See the example screenshot from the Public Register below. There, you can find your DSI registration number at the bottom left.
Use the “Last Name Professional” search field in the Public Register to check how you are registered with DSI. Always enter your double last name, as the system searches for an exact match.
Tip 1 | If the last name starts with a prefix, omit it. For example, if searching for the last name “de Boer,” search for “Boer.”
Tip 2 | If you have a double last name, enter both names with a space, dash, and space between them. For instance, if your name is “Van den Berg – Bakker,” search for “Berg – Bakker.” Pay attention to the correct use of capital letters.
DSI’s procedures are recorded in the Administrative Organisation and Internal Management Measures document. An accountant monitors DSI’s compliance with these procedures and provides a report of his or her findings to both the board and the AFM, as per the terms of the covenant between DSI and AFM.
DSI only accredits examinations. You are entirely free to choose the best way to prepare for the exams. Ask your employer and/or educational institution which training options are available to you.
Most likely, you haven’t selected your employer in the dropdown menu. It’s best to ask your employer to send you an invitation. This way, you’ll go through the correct certification process, and the certification will be paid for by your employer.
Unfortunately, no. By submitting your application, you declare that you have provided your information fully and truthfully. DSI conducts certification based on this data. After this point, it is no longer possible to make changes to your information.
If you have additional questions, please contact one of our Customer Care Officers at DSI via 020 620 12 74 or via our contactform.
Yes, if you meet the job profiles and admission requirements. An overview of the various DSI registers and their corresponding conditions can be found here.
Absolutely. You can get certified as a freelancer (ZZP’er), as a temporary worker or seconded employee, as a franchisee, or as an employee of an institution connected to the AFM license of a DSI participant. For freelancers, we have created a specific page: certification as a freelancer (ZZP-er).
This is determined by the European Securities & Markets Authority (ESMA), the author of the mandatory ESMA Guidelines. Only employees with both appropriate qualifications and relevant experience (as specified in the ESMA Guidelines) are allowed to act as supervisors for candidate-certified professionals, i.e., those who do not yet comply with the guidelines. The concerned employee 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 full-time work experience.
Based on this, DSI sets the following requirement concerning DSI certification: The certified individual must have spent a substantial part of their time, either in their current position or in previous positions within the last five years, engaged in activities related to the register for a period of twelve months on a full-time basis.
This implies that in the case of a part-time employment contract, the required number of months of work experience should be adjusted accordingly (calculation depending on the part-time percentage).
DSI expects employers to have a clear understanding of their employees’ work experience upon hiring. That’s why DSI requests employers to provide written confirmation, on the employee’s employer statement, stating that the twelve-month requirement has been met.
According to our privacy statement, we handle the data carefully. We have various categories of personal data with different retention periods.
Do you work in different roles related to multiple DSI registers? You can request an Additional Certification through MyDSI. Check out this page for an overview of all DSI certifications. More information about applying for an additional certification can be found on this page.
Note: If you are currently certified for an ‘Inform’ register and want to move to an ‘Advise’ register, choose ‘Change Certification’ instead of ‘Additional Certification.’
What do you need from me? Information provided to us in the past two years does not need to be resubmitted. However, for applying for a new certification, you will need to undergo a screening by Validata again if the screening was conducted more than 1 year ago.
Check here for more information on the certification application process.
The screening is conducted by Validata. They can assist you personally in answering this question. Generally, after the candidate has provided the required information, the average processing time for a screening at Validata is approximately 10 business days. Components that may have a longer processing time include the Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) and the verification of foreign diplomas.
You can find more information about the screening process at Validata through this link.
For additional information, you can visit a dedicated FAQ page at Validata for frequently asked questions about the screening process. Validata can be reached on weekdays from 8:00 to 20:00 (until 18:00 on Fridays) by phone at +31 (0) 88 050 2100 and via email at support@validatagroup.com.
The screening is carried out by Validata, and they can assist you in answering this question. You can find more information about the screening process at Validata through this link.
The screening is conducted by Validata. Once you’ve submitted a certification application through MijnDSI, you will automatically receive an invitation from Validata for an employee screening. Depending on the application, the screening process may include the following components: identity document, highest completed education, work experience, Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG), and the integrity questionnaire.
The screening is conducted by Validata. By logging into the Validata system (Valluga), you can track the status of your screening. You can find more information about the screening process at Validata through this link.
To check the status of your certification application, log in to your MijnDSI environment. Under “my applications,” you will see the status of your application.
The screening is performed by Validata. They can help you personally with answering this question. In general, after the candidate has provided the required data, the average screening time at Valdata is approximately 5 working days. Components that have a longer lead time are the Declaration of Conduct (VOG) and the verification of foreign diplomas’s.
This link will give you more information about the Validata screening process.
For more information, please visit a special FAQ page of Validata for frequently asked questions about the screening process. Validata will be available on weekdays from 8:00 to 20:00 (on Fridays until 18:00) by phone at +31 (0) 88 050 2100 and email by support@validatagroup.com
At the bottom of the screen, you will see the name of your employer. Double-click on this link to view your request. Don’t see this link?
MijnDSI is optimised for the Firefox and Chrome browsers, and does not work as well in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. If you use Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, then try logging in via Chrome. This may correct the problems with your account. MijnDSI is optimised for use on a desktop or laptop, and does not work as well on a tablet, iPad or smartphone. Please try logging in on a desktop or laptop. This may correct the problems with your account.
Still can’t see your account details?
If it is for a screening request, please contact our Screening Officers via screening@dsi.nl or call 020 620 12 74.
If it is for a certification request, please contact our Certification Officers via certificering@dsi.nl or call 020 620 12 74.
Certified individuals and Candidate Certified individuals who are no longer employed by a Participant can maintain their certification for a maximum of one year. The cost for using this service is €75. If you have any questions about the terms and registration, please contact our Customer Care Officers at telephone number 020 – 620 12 74 or send a message via the contact form on our website.
If your employer is not visible in MijnDSI, it may be because your employer is not a participant in Stichting DSI. To certify yourself as a professional, your employer must be affiliated with our foundation.
You can find more information on registering companies as participants here. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact one of our customer care officers via our contact form. In your email, please include the following details along with your question:
We will process your email and get back to you as soon as possible.
Your diplomas remain valid as long as they meet the current requirements of the register in which you were certified. You can view the current requirements of the register on this page under the specific register.
If you are DSI certified, you not only demonstrate your professional competence but also adhere to the DSI Code of Conduct, placing yourself under DSI’s disciplinary jurisdiction. Employers affiliated with us are obligated to report incidents related to their DSI-certified employees to DSI. This is how self-regulation works. Employers not affiliated with DSI are not required to report incidents. Therefore, you can only maintain your certification if you are employed by a participating DSI employer. Employers with an AFM or DNB license can join DSI.
If you are currently passively certified with DSI and your employer is affiliated with DSI, you can (re)activate your DSI certification. This is possible until December 31, 2023. After that, DSI will cease to offer the passive certified status.
Through your account in MijnDSI, you can request a change from passive registration. Click on the “I want to change my passive registration” button in MijnDSI and follow the instructions on the screen.
Note: Changing a passive registration is only possible if you are employed by a participant affiliated with DSI. Additionally, you must meet the competence requirements specific to the respective register. Here is an overview of these requirements for each register.
From January 1, 2024, DSI will stop offering the passive registered status. Therefore, you have until December 31, 2023, to (re)activate your passive status. Each passively certified individual has received a personal email from DSI regarding this matter. If we do not receive a response to this message before December 31, 2023, your registration with DSI will be automatically terminated. In that case, we appreciate your involvement with DSI and invite you to subscribe to the DSI newsletter to stay informed about future developments.
To conclude your application, send a message to DSI via our contact form requesting the termination of the application. In the email, include the application number and the reason for termination. We will then archive the application. The information remains available during the statutory retention period.
Congratulations on achieving your certificate! We are notified of completed exams by the educational institutions every two weeks. Subsequently, we add the exam results to the certifications. You don’t need to do anything for this process.
Have you recently completed your last competence component and your status needs to change from candidate-certified to certified? Or is your status not correctly displayed in the Public Register?
Please send a message with your registration number via our contactform. We will ensure that the correct status is displayed in the Public Register within two working day.
If certification is no longer necessary, please report your resignation via our contactform, indicating your registration number.
If you are changing positions within the same organization, update this in your personal MyDSI account. For more informatie, please look at this page.
DSI was founded at the initiative of the financial sector in order to give form to the sector’s self-regulation activities. There is no legal requirement to be affiliated with or certified by DSI. However, financial firms do have a legal obligation to guarantee fair and honest operations. DSI helps in this by promoting and monitoring the expertise and integrity of financial professionals. DSI has signed a covenant with the supervisory body, the Financial Markets Authority (AFM). Many financial firms require their investment specialists to be registered with DSI.
With your DSI certification, you show clients, prospects and the supervisory body that your organisation places a high value on the integrity and expertise of your employees. Moreover, doing so contributes to the legal requirement to guarantee fair and honest operations. It also shows that your fully-certified employees meet the required European ESMA Guidelines, which are enforced by the AF
DSI stands for impartial, serious self-regulation. DSI’s approach is characterised by a system that promotes and certifies the integrity and expertise of financial professionals on one hand, and that also intervenes when necessary on the other.
Every DSI-certified professional has been exhaustively screened, has the relevant education and work experience, has completed the training necessary to deal with integrity-related dilemmas, and is periodically reviewed on their integrity and expertise. Moreover, DSI-certified professionals commit to abide by the Code of Conduct. And when they violate the Code of Conduct, they can be held accountable by ethics enforcement agencies. This ‘closed system’ enables consumers, employers and supervisory bodies to trust that the certified professionals meet the strictest standards placed by the sector.
When a firm merges or splits, a copy of the notary deed must be sent to DSI. Your DSI-certified employees can then be registered under the name of the new organisation, as long as it is also affiliated with DSI.
The employees may request certification as a self-employed professional, temporary worker or contractor, franchisee, or employee of an institution that is affiliated with a DSI participant’s AFM license.
This page provides an overview of the general criteria for certification, such as the educational and experience requirements, etc. Our certifications page lists the requirements for each register in greater detail.
This page features our General Regulations and appendix to the General Regulations explaining the minimum requirements and the DSI-accredited examinations.
DSI expects employers to pay close attention to their employees’ work history when hiring new employees. To that end, DSI asks you as an employer to state whether the employee meets the 12-month requirement in writing as part of the Employer’s Statement.
At the bottom of your screen, you’ll see a line with the name of your employer. Double-clicking on it will take you to your application.
Don’t see this line?
Is your account still empty? Then, please contact our Customer Care Officers via our contact form or call 020 620 12 74.
We are aware of this problem. The cause may be that you have more than one role, for example because you are the contact person for multiple business units and/or you are both a contact person for your employer and a DSI certified professional.
Fortunately, we can re-set your password for you and/or add your double role to your profile, so that you can switch between your different roles in the future.
If this situation applies to you, please notify your relations manager Nana Asante via n.asante@dsi.nl, with reference to ‘re-set password for certification participant’. Please include the following details in your e-mail:
We will process your request as quickly as possible, and we will notify you once we have re-set your login details.
If you do not have a MijnDSI account, you can create one by clicking on ‘I don’t have an account’ in the MijnDSI portal.
Unfortunately, MijnDSI is only accessible via a desktop or laptop at the moment. In the future, we will add the option to enter changes in MijnDSI via mobile devices as well. Until then, we ask that you enter any changes via a desktop or laptop.
At the bottom of the screen, you will see the name of your employer. Double-click on this link to view your request.
Don’t see this link? MijnDSI is optimised for the Firefox and Chrome browsers, and does not work as well in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. If you use Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, then try logging in via Chrome. This may correct the problems with your account.
If your account is still empty, please contact our helpdesk via info@mijndsi.nl or call 020 620 12 74.
No, that is not necessary. We regularly receive the results of all training providers and automatically update your certification details. So you don’t need to do anything.
Our DSI assistants can manually correct your registration in our back office system. Simply send an e- mail with your request to certificering@dsi.nl, along with the following information:
We will process your request and send you a reply as quickly as possible. Please note that the waiting time might be a bit longer than you are accustomed to.
Some certifications are not correctly displayed in the new MijnDSI environment at the moment. We are aware of this problem, and are hard at work on a solution. Once we have solved the problem in the Public Register, we will post a notification on this page.
If the matter is urgent, and you need an answer within one working week, then the DSI assistants can manually correct your registration in our back office system.
Simply send an e-mail with your request to certificering@dsi.nl, along with the following information:
We will process your request and send you a reply as quickly as possible.
Is your question not on this FAQ page? Or do you want personal advice on registering for a specific certification? Contact our customer care officers via the contact form or call 020-6201274.