What is the Diploma for Qualified Trade Finance Specialists (QTFS)?
Whatever your current role in the industry, it’s vital to ensure that your skills and technical understanding of the subject are current and well informed.
The QTFS Diploma has been created to demonstrate your knowledge of trade finance and confirms your ability to use these skills in real-life situations. It’s an industry-recognised mark of excellence, giving you the recognition you deserve for your hard-earned expertise.
By earning the QTFS, you’ll not only enhance your career but also demonstrate your commitment to best practices in trade and transaction banking. Take your career to the next level and formalise your position as a trusted specialist in the field.
Once you have successfully completed a minimum of three qualifications in trade and transaction banking, we will automatically award you with a Diploma for QTFS. You can download this by logging into your MyLIBF account.
There is no extra cost to become a QTFS. However you must complete a minimum of:
L3 Certificate in International Trade and Finance (CITF) or L3 Certificate in Principles of Payments (CertPAY) plus
L4 Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS) or L4 Certificate for Specialist in Demand Guarantees (CSDG) plus
L4 Certificate in Trade Finance Compliance (CTFC)* or L4 Certificate in Supply Chain Finance (CSCF) or L4 Certificate in International Trade Risk (CITR)
Alternatively, you may choose to complete three L4 certificates listed above.
CDCS, CSDG, CITR, CTFC and CSCF designations are valid for three years and require recertification. Your L4 qualifications will need to be eligible for the Diploma for QTFS.
* We’re no longer accepting new registrations for CTFC. This qualification is now administered by the Association of Trade Finance Compliance Professionals. You can still register for your CTFC exam or resit with LIBF, but the last exam date is 30 August 2025.
Please note, only LIBF-awarded qualifications are eligible for QTFS.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
To continue to hold your QTFS designation you must complete 36 hours of CPD activity over a 36 month period for each of your L4 qualifications to demonstrate that your trade and transaction banking knowledge is current.
Find out more about recertification
"Apart from giving me knowledge about rules and regulations, the qualifications I gained on the route to QTFS also gave me a wider understanding of the trade finance landscape."
Ni Zhang
Trade Finance Business Operations Manager at the Bank of China - QTFS holder
Eligibility
On completing the required qualifications you will be automatically awarded QTFS status.
You can download your Diploma for Qualified Trade Finance Specialists through your MyLIBF account.
Our qualifications
Find out about our range of specialist trade and transaction banking qualifications and how to register.
QTFS Registry
The QTFS Registry contains the names of individuals that hold the Diploma QTFS.
It may take up to 30 days for your details to appear after receiving your results. If you don’t successfully recertify after three years, your name might be removed from the registry.
If you have any queries, please email customerservices@libf.ac.uk or call +01227 913218.
Search QTFS RegistryQuestions about our professional qualifications?
If you have any questions about our professional qualifications in finance and banking, please contact our customer services team.
Our professional qualification customer services office is open:
Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm UK time.
