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IFTA Certifications: CFTe, MFTA

With the rise of social media, financial influencers and other wanna-be experts have seen an unprecedented rise that makes it look like investing is as easy as 1-2-3. Suddenly, even 19 year old Instagrammers (with barely no market experience) advice you how to invest. Youtube traders tell you how they became rich overnight. And scammers promise you that their system makes a gazillion % per year. Following such people is typically a bad idea. You can learn technical analysis nowadays online and often completely "free", but from sources of questionable quality. We see technical analysis applied by those "professionals" in horrific ways violating even basic standards. People do everything for more clicks, likes and followers! In the long run (every professional with vast market experience can confirm) it's QUALITY that makes you outperform the rest. 
 
It's time you start becoming an independent professional! Only international recognized diplomas like the CFTe guarantee you pass a high level of quality and apply technical analysis in all of your trades the proper way.

Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) - Level I

Passing the CFTe I and CFTe II culminates in the award of an international professional qualification in Technical Analysis. The exams are intended to test not only your technical skills knowledge, but your understanding of ethics and the market as well.

Exam Type

This multiple-choice exam consists of 120 questions covering a wide range of technical knowledge, but usually not involving actual experience. A mock exam is available (see "Preparation"), however previous exams in general are unavailable. Beginning May 1, 2014, all CFTe I & II exams will be marked based on this Syllabus.

Languages

This exam is offered in: English / German / Arabic / Spanish / Chinese and French

Exam Date and Location

The exam is offered throughout the year, via Pearson VUE's webpage (online exam).

Cost for the CFTe Level I exam

SAMT Members: $550 US
Non-SAMT Members: $850 US

Required time to study

Depending on your background, we traditionally suggest a minimum of 3-4 months study. A minimum of 200 hours can be broken down to i.e. 16 hrs p/w (over 3-months) or 12.5 hours p/w (over 4-months).
We recommend you have a study period of about three months for the Level I examination and six months for Level II.

Preparation

Although the exam will be prepared in self-study, there are sample tests available to verify your progress in both English and German.
Please check the following reading list to make sure you will cover all books/subjects. Books can be ordered in both English and German here.

Exam Registration Process:

  1. Join SAMT now - this will already help you to save 300$ on the CFTe level I exam and provide you further benefits! This will typically take 1 business day
  2. start your studies, do the mock exams, participate in SAMT-events and when you're ready:
  3. register and pay the application fee for the CFTe I exam here.
  4. Within 72 hours, IFTA will send you an "Authorization to Test" letter via email, with further instructions on how to log in to the Pearson VUE (IFTA’s exam provider) website and schedule your examination. Typically, an exam can be scheduled as early as a few days after you received the "Authorization to Test" letter.

Results

The results are released immediately following the exam.

Required level to Pass

The candidate must answer 74 out of 120 questions correctly to pass.  

Failure

If you fail to pass the exam, you can repeat it again. However, you will have to register and pay again as well.


Recommended reading: SAMT BLOG

Education is a permanent process - never stop reading. We recommend you to check out our BLOG, where you will find articles related to technical analysis on a regular basis to keep you at the pulse of the market.


Recommended course: SAMT Home Study Course

This course contains over 500 pages, videos and charts and will guide you through the process of becoming a professional technician.


If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”
—Zig Ziglar

Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) - Level II

Exam Type

This exam incorporates a number of questions requiring an essay based analysis and answers. For this, the candidate should demonstrate a depth of knowledge and experience in applying various methods of technical analysis. The exam provides a number of current charts covering one specific market (often an equity) to be analysed, as though for a Fund Manager. In preparation for the exam, candidates should review the Syllabus and Study Guide (CFTe II).

Notice: Beginning May 1, 2014, all CFTe I & II exams will be marked based on this Syllabus. Previous exam papers are available on receipt of application and fees. IFTA may arrange for additional exam locations, on an individual or group basis, upon request. Additional fees apply to candidates requesting the exam in a non-English language or non-IFTA proctored exam location. IFTA will attempt to accommodate any exam location request.

Languages

The CFTe II is a paper and pencil exam that is offered in:
English / German / French / Italian / Spanish / Arabic

Exam Dates

bi-annually, typically in April and October. Info and registration deadlines here.

Exam Locations

This exam regularly takes place in Zurich, Geneva, Frankfurt, London and Paris.

Cost for the CFTe Level II exam

SAMT Members: $850 US
Non-SAMT Members: $1150 US

Registration

Further information can be obtained on the IFTA-website where you can register for the exam as well.
Note: All applicable local taxes, including VAT, will be collected at the time of registration.

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
―Malcolm X

After successfully passing the CFTe II level exam, you will not only get your diploma, but you can also apply for IFTA's digital badge to share your achievements online.

Master of Financial Technical Analysis (MFTA)

IFTA’s Master of Financial Technical Analysis (MFTA) represents the highest achievement and recognition by peers in the Technical Analysis community. The MFTA requires an original body of research. It is intended to be a rigorous demonstration of professionalism in the global arena of Technical Analysts. There are two submission dates per year, in May and October.

Prerequisites

The MFTA is opened to individuals who have attained the Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) designation or its equivalent, including:

  • Chartered Member of the Nippon Technical Analysts Association (CMTA) from the Nippon Technical Analysts Association (NTAA)
  • Diploma in Technical Analysis (Dip.TA) from the Australian Technical Analysts Association (AATA)
  • Certified ESTA Technical Analysts Program (CETA) from the Egyptian Society of Technical Analysis (ESTA)

Alternate Path

For those IFTA Colleagues who do not have the formal qualifications outlined above, but who have other certification and/or many years experience working as technical analyst, the Accreditation Committee has developed an “alternate path” by which candidates with substantial academic or practical work in technical analysis can bypass the requirement for the CFTe, and prequalify for the MFTA. There are three categories of applicants for the alternate path. It is open to individuals who have:

  • A certification such as Chartered Market Technician (CMT), Society of Technical Analysts (STA) Diploma, PLUS three years experience as a technical analyst; or
  • A financial certification such as Certified Financial Analyst (CFA), Masters in Business Administration (MBA), PLUS five years experience as a technical analyst; or
  • Have a minimum of eight years experience as a technical analyst

Candidates in these or very similar circumstances may apply for the “alternate path”. If approved, they may register for the MFTA and send in their research proposals.

Cost for the MFTA exam

SAMT Members: $950 US
Non-SAMT Members: $1200 US

Exam Dates

bi-annually, typically in April and October. Info and registration deadlines here.

Registration

Further information can be obtained on the IFTA-website where you can register for the exam as well. Note: All applicable local taxes, including VAT, will be collected at the time of registration.