Take the examination for financial investment brokers

In order to obtain a license as a fee-based financial investment advisor, you must provide proof of the required expertise.

If you wish to broker financial investments commercially in return for commission from the issuer, you must provide proof of your expertise in order to obtain a license. You can do this by taking an examination at the IHK.

Depending on the product category, the examination is divided into three areas:

• Open financial investments
• Closed-end financial investments
• Asset investments

The examination consists of a written and a practical part. They must be taken one after the other. In the written part of the exam, you must demonstrate the necessary legal and technical knowledge, for example with regard to consumer rights and technical terms. In the practical part, you must carry out a simulated customer consultation.

You do not have to meet any formal requirements to register for the exam, but you should prepare intensively for the content in order to take it successfully.

The content of the examination for financial investment brokers corresponds to the examination for fee-based financial investment advisors.If you have completed vocational training or have a degree in banking and finance, this may be recognized instead of the expert knowledge examination

You can find the Chamber of Industry and Commerce responsible for you here: IHK competence finder

Official photo ID for identification during the examination

• Registration form according to IHK specifications
• Online procedure: no
• Written form requirement: no
• Personal appearance required: yes, for the examination

No special requirements

- Contradiction

You can only take part in an examination after prior registration.

• The IHK will inform you in good time before the examination about the details of the examination procedure, place and time
• You will first take the written examination
• If you pass the written exam, you will take the practical exam

After successfully passing the exam, you will receive a certificate of competence

• Please note the registration deadlines of your local IHK
• Proven expertise is valid for life

You will normally receive the certificate within a few days of passing the exam.

Costs are incurred. The exact amount can be found in the fee schedule of the local IHK.

• You can find the Chamber of Industry and Commerce responsible for you here: IHK competence finder
• §Section 4 of the Financial Investment Intermediaries Ordinance lists the qualifications recognized as an alternative to the expert examination: Section 4 Financial Investment Intermediaries Ordinance
• You can find further information on the examination of expertise on the DIHK website: Overview of professional examinations of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce