Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS)
Documentary credits are a vital part of international trade. The Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists is an industry-leading qualification that will develop expertise in this field, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the products, parties, processes and rules that underpin documentary credit transactions.
CDCS will improve your knowledge and understanding of the complex issues associated with documentary credit best practice. You’ll learn to:
understand documentary credits – the products, parties, processes and rules that underpin documentary credit transactions
identify documentary credit risks, breaches and irregularities
manage documentary credit transactions
apply knowledge of processes, ICC rules and trade terms.
CDCS is a globally recognised standard of competence, which we created with industry experts and manage in partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
While studying with us, you’ll become a Member of LIBF (MLIBF), receiving benefits including careers support and access to professional networking events.
Benefits for you
Qualify in as little as six months
Study online – anytime, anywhere on any device
Access research tools and industry analysis through KnowledgeBank and Financial World magazine
Demonstrate your expertise with an internationally recognised qualification
Add the professional designation ‘CDCS’ after your name for the three-year validation cycle
Advance your career and promotion prospects
Supported by Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT)
Endorsed by International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Fees
£695 for the full qualification
Study duration
You'll have 12 months from registration to complete the qualification
Everything is online, so you can study at a pace that suits you
Units
One unit
Your studies will cover
The types, characteristics and uses of documentary credits and standby letters of credit
Rules and trade terms, including UCP 600, ISP98, Incoterms® 2020 and URR 725
Parties to documentary credit transactions and their roles and obligations
Types and methods of payment and credit used in documentary credit transactions, including the concept of autonomy
Types of transport, commercial and financial documents used in documentary credit transactions
Related products including letters of indemnity, air way releases and steamship guarantees
The implications of breaching rules including money laundering and terrorist financing
Your qualification at a glance
Assessments
You can take exams at a test centre.
Your first exam is included in the registration fee for each module.
You'll receive a digital certificate once you have passed.
Regulation
Registered with Ofqual in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
Unit information
What study materials do I get?
As part of the registration fee you'll get access to:
a student-led discussion forum
unit syllabus
study texts
specimen paper
student handbook
exam simulation exercises
e-quiz
three CDCS exam training videos: video one (free), video two (£25) and video three (£35)
online access to our student portal MyLIBF
online access to our virtual library KnowledgeBank
Assessments
You’ll be assessed in an exam that lasts three hours and 15 minutes. The examination is split into two sections:
Section A: 60 multiple-choice questions
Section B: ten multiple-choice questions and three document checking exercises
Your first exam is included in the registration fee. If you need to retake an exam a resit fee will be payable.
You can choose when to take your exam and pick from test centres nationwide or through remote invigilation.
Exam and assessment informationFees
Registration is open all year round.
You can also call our Student and Customer Services team on +44 (0)1227 818609 or talk to them on live chat.
We offer bursaries to some students undertaking professional qualifications – find out if you're eligible.
Corporate bookings
If you are a company and want to register a cohort of students onto CDCS please email trade@libf.ac.uk for further information.
Request further information
Additional study support
CDCS Exam Training Videos
In collaboration with Gary Collyer, our CDCS editor and renowned documentary credit expert, and based on our analysis of the CDCS examination results we have produced a series of three videos that will provide you with insight and will help you avoid the common mistakes that others have made in the past.
CDCS 1 is free and gives you a taster of what to expect in the other videos
CDCS 2 costs £25, relates to the simulations exercises in the examination and looks at the process of answering that should maximise your scores
CDCS 3 costs £35 and covers the 6 main areas that students typically find more difficult
The videos can be watched on any device, from anywhere in the world – as long as you have internet access – giving you the flexibility to study when and where it suits you. You can watch them as many times as needed and you will have access to them for 12 months.
Check out our free introduction video (CDCS 1) to give you a taster of our CDCS videos.
Find out more
International students registration
Students from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and South Korea should contact a relevant country contact to register for CITF.
Accredited Learning Support Providers
Some students prefer a qualification route with extra learning support. In addition to having long-term partners worldwide, we have recognised a select number of course providers offering CDCS learning support. Using a learning support provider is entirely up to you – it is NOT a requirement of your studies – but this extra support might help your learning. You’ll need to pay for such provision directly to your chosen Accredited Learning Support Providers (ALSPs). Please note you will still need to register and complete CDCS through us as we are the qualification awarding body.
CDCS Registry
The international CDCS Registry contains the names of those who hold the CDCS designation.
If you complete CDCS successfully, your details will be added to the registry though this may take up to 30 days after your receive your results. You'll need to recertify successfully every three years to ensure your name remains on the registry.
If you have any queries, please email customerservices@libf.ac.uk or call +01227 913218.
Search CDCS Registry
Contact us about our professional qualifications
If you have any questions about our professional qualifications in finance and banking, please contact our customer services team.
Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm GMT.
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