CPD for Trade Finance Professionals

If you hold CDCS, CSDG, CSCF or CITR qualifications you need to stay on top of your continuing professional development (CPD).

To maintain professional standards and meet recertification requirements, you need to do 36 hours of CPD over a period of three years, or six years if you’re a CDCS Advocate.

This page covers recertification, CPD activities, and how to log your CPD hours – as well as how to become a CDCS Advocate.

Logging your CPD hours

MyCPD is an online tool – for members and those in the recertification cycle – to log their CPD hours and maintain an accurate CPD record.

To use MyCPD, log into your MyLIBF account, and please be sure to keep your email address up to date under the MyDetails tab.

Update: CPD hours for international trade qualifications

From 1 November 2024, we’ve updated the number of CPD hours you can claim when passing any of our International Trade exams. Now, each qualification carries 36 CPD hours, helping you stay ahead in your professional development. This applies to any of the following qualifications you’ve completed during your current recertification cycle:

If you retake and pass a qualification you’re recertifying, this will automatically renew your certification. Plus, since it’s a full qualification, you can also claim 36 CPD hours towards any other trade finance qualifications in your recertification cycle.

* Important note for CTFC holders:
From April 2025, CTFC recertification will be managed by The Association of Trade Finance Compliance Professionals (ATFCP). If your recertification session is on or after 31 October 2025, please contact ATFCP as soon as possible at or visit their site.

Recertification and Handook

Your designations remain valid for three years after passing your exam.

If you hold CDCS, CSDG, CSCF or CITR, you can recertify by:

either completing the recertification carrying out continuous professional development (CPD) throughout the recertification period, or
retaking and passing the full exam for the qualification designation you want to keep using.

Recertification Handbook

A man and a women sitting at a desk with laptops, mugs and papers.

You’ll find more information on suitable CPD activities below, but please note that one hour of learning is equal to one CPD learning hour.

For CDCS, CSDG, CITR and CSCF, your CPD activities need to relate to trade finance.

Our trade finance recertification process guidebook includes all the detailed information and guidance you need including:

details of CPD activities available
the dates of recertification cycles, and
information on how to calculate and log your CPD hours.

Progression in trade finance
We’ve been running the CDCS Advocate programme for many years and are now extending it to CSCF and CSDG. Once you've completed five recertification cycles, we’ll present you with Advocate status automatically. This includes:
- an extended recertification period – you’ll only have to recertify every six years instead of every three
- a pin badge and certificate, and
- the right to use the Advocate designation after your name.
Diploma for Qualified Trade Finance Experts
If you prefer to complete your CPD by studying trade finance qualifications, you may consider working towards the Diploma for Qualified Trade Finance Experts (QTFE).

To qualify you need to successfully complete at least three qualifications in trade finance and transaction banking. Please check the requirements using the link below.

More about QTFE

CPD activities

Everyone’s learning style is different, so we – and our partners – offer CPD in different formats to help you find CPD that suits you, including:

webinars
podcasts
insights, comment and analysis
accredited external courses offered by our partners
Financial World magazine.

As a trade finance qualification holder, you will also receive a quarterly e-newsletter with the latest news, webinars, podcasts and insights to help you stay on top of your CPD.

For CDCS, CSDG, CITR and CSCF your CPD activities (webinars/podcasts/articles etc) should relate to trade finance and should enhance your existing knowledge

You will also be able to earn CPD learning hours by completing our other Trade & Transaction Banking qualifications, see page 11 of our Trade Finance recertification process guidebook for more details.

Webinars
Our events have gone online for the time being, but we’re still running webinars – including on trade finance. If you miss one of our webinars, you’ll find it available to watch on our dedicated page.

See our latest webinars
Events
We offer you exclusive access to thought leaders around the world and fantastic opportunities to network with others in your field with our webinar events. Sign up to our mailing list for more information.

Sign-up to an upcoming event
Podcasts
Stay ahead in the world of trade finance with our dedicated podcasts featuring interviews and insights from leading figures in the sector.

Listen to our podcast
Insights
For regular comment and analysis on the latest developments in trade finance – including interviews with senior industry figures – go to our Insights section.

Read our insights articles
External accredited courses
We have a list of accredited events, programmes and courses offered by partners that can count towards your CPD. The content is related to international trade finance – and meets the requirements set out in our guidance.

Find out more
Financial World
Our Financial World magazine brings together thought-provoking research and commentary on the structure and development of the domestic and international financial services sector and the wider economy.

Financial World