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Certified Securities Operations Professional (CSOP)
About CSOP | Apply | Exam Information | Benefits | Maintain Certification | Advisory Board
About the CSOP
The Certified Securities Operations Professional certification is designed to:
- Establish a recognized standard of knowledge and competence for securities operations professionals working within wealth management and trust organizations
- Formally recognize those who meet these standards
- Provide employers with a tool to identify skilled, knowledgeable professionals
- Support the benefits of professional continuing education and development
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Who should pursue it
- Securities operations professionals
- Trust operations managers
- Investment operations managers
- Operational risk managers
- Compliance personnel
- Technology specialists
- Trust administrators
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Knowledge areas
- Types of securities
- Regulation and compliance
- Controls, reconciliation and audit
- Industry structures
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Eligibility requirements
In order to be authorized to use the CSOP credential, you must meet the experience, education, ethics and examination requirements determined to be competency measures for security operations professionals. The certification advisory board for the CSOP designation has established these standard requirements. As a candidate, you must meet the following prerequisites in order to qualify to take the CSOP certification examination:
1. Professional Experience & Education
- A minimum of three (3) years experience in securities operations, and completion of one of the following ICB-approved educational programs/schools:
- Five (5) years experience in securities operations.
2. Professional Reference
One letter of recommendation is required from a senior official or your manager attesting to your qualifications for certification including, your securities operations experience.
3. Ethics Statement
Each candidate must sign ICB's Professional Code of Ethics statement. Please note: you must furnish all pertinent information about any convictions or pleas of nolo contendere on the grounds of fraud, embezzlement, unfair or deceptive practices, securities law violations, misappropriation of property, fraudulent conversations or any civil or administrative action from which you have been previously found liable.
4. Application
You must complete and submit the application. You are required to meet the eligibility requirements in place at the time that you submit your application.
Maintenance requirements
To maintain your CSOP in good standing, you must adhere to ICB's Professional Code of Ethics, pay an annual fee, and complete 30 credits of continuing education every three years.
Fees
| Examination Fees* |
Membership Fees** |
| Application and Exam Fee |
$395 |
Annual Membership Fee |
$199 |
| Exam Retake Fee |
$150 |
Multiple Certification Discount |
$350 (2 certs)
$450 (3 or more) |
| Exam Withdrawal Fee |
$125 |
* Exam Fee is 100% refundable upon written request prior to the published withdrawal deadline. A $125 withdrawal fee is assessed if a candidate cancels or withdraws after the published withdrawal deadline from a scheduled exam date for which the candidate is registered. However, requests for withdrawal received on or less than seven (7) business days prior to the exam date will not be honored and the entire exam fee will be forfeited. ICB will consider waiving the forfeiture fee in case of a medical emergency. Your request for such a waiver must be made in writing and supported by documentation from a physician, which clearly states that you are unable to appear for the exam due to personal or immediate family medical issues. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
**Membership Fee is assessed annually every year after certification has been granted.
Benefits and services
Click here for more information about CSOP benefits.
Questions? Please contact icb@aba.com for more information.
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