CPTEnglishIntermediate· Financial Compliance

Licensing, Fit and Proper Requirements & CPT Obligations

Master the regulatory framework for licensing, fitness, and ongoing compliance in Hong Kong

Legal & Compliance 1h 30 lessons

What you'll learn

Explain the licensing and registration regime established under Part 5 of the SFO
Identify the 13 types of regulated activities and their specific scope and exclusions
Analyze the differences in regulatory oversight between licensed corporations and registered institutions
Apply fit and proper guidelines to assess the ongoing eligibility of individuals and firms
Define the responsibilities of responsible officers and executive officers in business supervision
Explain the mandatory CPT obligations, including acceptable training hours and record-keeping
Recognize key notification and annual return requirements to avoid regulatory breaches

About this course

This course provides a detailed examination of the licensing and registration framework governed by the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO) in Hong Kong. It is essential for SFC-licensed professionals and individuals working within registered institutions to maintain a clear understanding of their regulatory obligations, as the SFO serves as the primary mechanism for regulating the conduct of market participants. By navigating the nuances of the licensing regime, professionals ensure they remain compliant with the standards of fitness and properness required to conduct regulated activities, thereby mitigating legal and operational risks within the financial services sector. The content covers the regulatory requirements that apply to corporations and individuals, emphasizing the importance of institutional oversight, the roles of Responsible Officers, and the accountability of Managers-in-Charge (MICs). Professionals will gain clarity on the 13 regulated activities, the criteria for licensing, and the mandatory reporting obligations that accompany their professional status. This material is designed to support the ongoing compliance needs of financial intermediaries, covering essential topics from the single license regime to the nuances of accreditation for licensed representatives. The curriculum is structured to address the foundational pillars of the SFC’s supervisory approach. Participants will explore the distinction between licensed corporations and registered institutions, as well as the governance responsibilities of senior management and the board. Additionally, the course outlines the necessity of maintaining professional competence through Continuous Professional Training (CPT). By focusing on these core elements, practitioners can better align their professional activities with the expectations of the SFC and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).

Who should attend

Licensed Representatives
Responsible Officers
Compliance Officers
Legal Counsel in Financial Institutions
Senior Management and Directors of Licensed Corporations
Relevant Individuals at Registered Institutions
Human Resources personnel managing SFC licensing transitions

Key topics covered

Licensing Framework and Regulated Activities

Structure of the SFO Part 5 licensing regime
Understanding the 13 types of regulated activities
Distinctions between licensed corporations and registered institutions
Applicability of exclusions and wholly incidental exemptions
Procedures for temporary and provisional licensing

Governance and Management Accountability

Roles and duties of Responsible Officers
Regulatory accountability for Managers-in-Charge (MICs)
Board and senior management oversight responsibilities
Approval processes for substantial shareholders
Supervisory responsibilities for executive directors

Fit and Proper Standards and Ongoing Compliance

Ongoing nature of fit and proper requirements
Competence standards for specific regulated functions
Accreditation and cessation notification procedures
Mandatory CPT obligations and record-keeping
Restrictions on the use of specified professional titles

How this course satisfies CPT

This course covers Financial Compliance topics recognised by the SFC as eligible for CPT. Upon completion, you'll earn approximately 1 CPT hours and receive a certificate of completion for your training records. The course includes quizzes to verify your understanding, satisfying the SFC's requirement that online learning includes an independent assessment and maintains a reliable audit trail.

Learn more about CPT requirements

Curriculum · 30 lessons

1:07:38.0 of content

1.
Overview of Hong Kong Securities and Futures Licensing Requirements
FREE
2:10.2
2.
Understanding the Securities and Futures Ordinance Licensing Regime
FREE
2:14.1
3.
Why Licensing Matters for Hong Kong Financial Intermediaries
FREE
2:17.5
4.
Core Regulatory Framework for Licensing and Registration in Hong Kong
2:22.4
5.
General Principles for Carrying on Regulated Activities in Hong Kong
2:05.0
6.
Quiz: Overview of Hong Kong Securities and Futures Licensing Requirements – General Principles for Carrying on Regulated Activities in Hong Kong
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons
7.
Navigating the Single License Regime for Securities and Futures
2:09.8
8.
Defining and Managing the 13 Types of Regulated Activities
2:17.4
9.
Regulatory Obligations for Licensed Corporations Under the SFO
2:30.0
10.
Regulatory Framework for Registered Institutions and HKMA Oversight
2:14.4
11.
Roles and Responsibilities of Licensed Representatives in Hong Kong
2:08.7
12.
Quiz: Navigating the Single License Regime for Securities and Futures – Roles and Responsibilities of Licensed Representatives in Hong Kong
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons
13.
Registration and Conduct Requirements for Relevant Individuals in Banks
2:14.1
14.
Appointing and Managing Responsible Officers for Regulated Activities
2:37.1
15.
Understanding Executive Director and Executive Officer Supervisory Responsibilities
2:07.9
16.
Board and Senior Management Responsibility for Licensing Compliance
2:12.9
17.
Defining Managers in Charge and Their Regulatory Accountability
2:17.6
18.
Quiz: Registration and Conduct Requirements for Relevant Individuals in Banks – Defining Managers in Charge and Their Regulatory Accountability
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons
19.
Substantial Shareholder Approval and Corporate Control Requirements
2:07.7
20.
Applying Exclusions to Regulated Activities in Professional Practice
2:33.7
21.
Wholly Incidental Exclusions Within the Single License Regime
2:07
22.
Managing Licensed Representative Accreditation and Cessation Notifications
2:11.9
23.
Temporary and Provisional Licenses for Specific Business Needs
2:04.9
24.
Quiz: Substantial Shareholder Approval and Corporate Control Requirements – Temporary and Provisional Licenses for Specific Business Needs
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons
25.
Regulatory Restrictions on Using Specified Titles for Unlicensed Staff
2:10.0
26.
The Ongoing Nature of Fit and Proper Requirements
2:15.7
27.
Fit and Proper Standards for Individual License Applicants
2:08.1
28.
Corporate Fit and Proper Requirements for Financial Intermediaries
2:18.9
29.
Maintaining Competence Standards for Regulated Activities
2:18.5
30.
Quiz: Regulatory Restrictions on Using Specified Titles for Unlicensed Staff – Maintaining Competence Standards for Regulated Activities
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons
31.
Additional Competence and Capital Requirements for Sponsors and Advisors
2:13.2
32.
Special Competence Rules for Takeovers and Mergers Transaction Advisors
2:17.5
33.
Continuous Professional Training Requirements for Licensed Practitioners
2:01.9
34.
Selecting and Documenting Acceptable Continuous Professional Training Activities
2:16.6
35.
Final Summary of Hong Kong Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
2:33.4
36.
Quiz: Additional Competence and Capital Requirements for Sponsors and Advisors – Final Summary of Hong Kong Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons

Requirements

Foundational knowledge of the Hong Kong financial services industry
Basic understanding of the Securities and Futures Ordinance
Familiarity with the general roles of licensed representatives or compliance staff
Interest in corporate governance and regulatory compliance frameworks

Certificate of Completion

Complete this course to earn a verifiable Certificate of Completion for your CPT training record. Here's how:

1Watch all the lessons — work through every lesson in the curriculum. Each completed lesson brings your progress closer to 100%.
2Pass all the quizzes — score 70% or higher in each quiz within the course. Quizzes are part of the curriculum and must be passed to finish.
3Download your certificate — once you reach 100% progress, download a personalised Certificate of Completion showing your name, the CPT hours earned, and your quiz score.

Sample certificate: