CySEC Advanced vs Basic — Which Exam Do You Need?

Quick comparison

The two certifications side by side.

CySEC Basic and CySEC Advanced compared
	CySEC Basic	CySEC Advanced
Questions	CySEC Basic: 50	CySEC Advanced: 70
Duration	CySEC Basic: 60 minutes	CySEC Advanced: 90 minutes
Passing mark	CySEC Basic: 70% (35 of 50)	CySEC Advanced: 70% (49 of 70)
Chapters covered	CySEC Basic: 8	CySEC Advanced: 14
CPD requirement	CySEC Basic: 10 hours/year	CySEC Advanced: 15 hours/year
Who needs it	CySEC Basic: Reception/transmission of orders, execution, UCITS marketing	CySEC Advanced: All of Basic + portfolio management, investment advice, dealing on own account, underwriting

Who needs CySEC Basic?

The Basic certification is sufficient if your role is limited to:

Reception and transmission of client orders
Execution of orders on behalf of clients
Marketing of units in collective investment schemes (UCITS)

Typical roles: junior dealer, client relations officer, sales support at a CySEC-regulated firm.

Who needs CySEC Advanced?

The Advanced certification is required if your role includes any of the following:

Dealing on own account (proprietary trading)
Portfolio management
Investment advice
Underwriting or placing financial instruments
Managing UCITS or AIF portfolios
All activities covered by the Basic certification (Advanced is a superset)

Typical roles: portfolio manager, compliance officer, investment adviser, dealing room staff, fund manager.

Can you hold both?

The Advanced certification is a superset of the Basic: it covers all 8 Basic topics plus 6 additional chapters. If you hold the Advanced, you do not need the Basic separately. Many professionals start with Basic and move up to Advanced when their role expands.

Which exam is harder?

The Advanced exam is longer (70 vs 50 questions) and covers significantly more regulation (14 vs 8 chapters). The additional chapters (Capital Adequacy, EMIR, Recovery and Resolution, Prospectus Regulation, Transparency Laws) require more study time. Plan for 4–8 weeks for Advanced and 2–4 weeks for Basic.

And the AML exam?

The CySEC AML exam is a separate certification, not a step between Basic and Advanced. It is aimed at AML compliance officers and MLROs at CySEC-regulated firms, and at compliance and onboarding staff whose roles require AML competence. It has 40 questions in 60 minutes across 8 chapters, with a 70% pass mark.

About the CySEC AML exam · AML study notes

Frequently asked questions

Do I need CySEC Basic or Advanced?

It depends on your role. If you deal on own account, manage portfolios, or give investment advice, you need Advanced. If your role is limited to reception/transmission of orders or execution, Basic is sufficient.

Is CySEC Advanced harder than Basic?

Yes. Advanced covers 14 chapters versus 8 for Basic, and the exam is 70 questions in 90 minutes versus 50 questions in 60 minutes.

If I pass CySEC Advanced, do I also have CySEC Basic?

Effectively yes — Advanced covers all the material in Basic plus more. You do not need to sit both exams separately.

Can I start with Basic and upgrade to Advanced later?

Yes. Many professionals obtain Basic first and sit the Advanced exam when their role requires it.

What is the CPD requirement for each certification?

Basic holders must complete 10 hours of CPD per year. Advanced holders must complete 15 hours per year. Both renew by end of February.

How long does it take to prepare for each exam?

Plan for 2–4 weeks for Basic and 4–8 weeks for Advanced with structured study.

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