Go beyond documentary credits to give yourself the freedom and flexibility to move between different roles and departments and respond to a wide range of client needs.
Certified Trade Finance Professional for CDCS & CSDG holders (Core CTFP)
Fast track your CTFP certification
We’ve made it easier and cheaper for holders of the ICC’s GTC or LIBF’s CDCS, CDSG or CITF certifications to achieve the full Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) certification. Simply complete a core pack of CTFP courses at a discounted rate and pass the final exam to earn the full CTFP certificate. These courses and final exam purchased separately would cost US$450 more.
The curriculum of the six core modules in the CTFP has been authored by experts from the ICC Banking Commission and covers a range of trade finance solutions over more than 30 hours of online learning. You will develop the well-rounded skillset needed to overcome challenging scenarios, move into new roles, enhance relationships with clients and gain more trust from your colleagues.
How it works
Purchase the Core CTFP and save US$450
Share your CDCS, CSDG or CITF certifications with our team to complete your registration
Get 6 months access to the 6 core CTFP courses
Complete all 6 courses
Pass final exam to receive your ICC certificate of achievement
Earn 25 points towards recertification of LIBF qualifications
Join an elite group of 1500+ alumni
Luong Vinh Pham
Scotia BankBanking / Mortgage Canada
Danstan Kolimba
BankerBanking / Mortgage Tanzania
Amanda Bier
BankerAccounting / Finance Brazil
Elvis Mugeni
BankerAccounting / Finance Kenya
RAKESH RANJAN
BANKAccounting / Finance India
Vaishnavi Mahendran
BankingAccounting / Finance Germany
Ravi Chellani
Trade FinanceBanking / Mortgage India
Rajesh Yadav
BankerBanking / Mortgage India
Certificate curriculum
Updated and expanded in October 2026 including new case studies and a new course on trade finance compliance.
The Core CTFP curriculum has been developed by experts from the ICC Banking Commission and is internationally accredited by Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT), the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) and the Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA). It consists of 6 courses, with each course taking approximately 5-6 hours to complete.
Courses
You must complete all 6 core courses to take the final CTFP exam.
Learn the cash flow and working capital cycle of commercial companies and develop a core understanding of the meaning and functions of working capital. Find out more about the Advanced Working Capital for Trade course.
This letter of credit training course provides a detailed review of documentary credits, from structuring and issuance to document verification to financing and settlement. Find out more about the Advanced Documentary Credits course.
Learn more about the issuance of a bank guarantee, the use of counter guarantees and more complex transactions. Find out more about the Advanced Guarantees course.
Learn the key role export credits and official export credit agencies play in international sales and its financing, particularly in developing nations. Find out more about the Export Finance course.
Gain an in-depth understanding of how various SCF products meet the financing and risk mitigation needs of different events and stages in the supply chain. Find out more about the Advanced Supply Chain Finance course.
Master the full financial crime lifecycle in trade finance – from spotting TBML, fraud, and sanctions red flags to building strong KYC and audit-ready decisions. Learn more about this trade finance compliance course.
Examination FAQ
To pass the CTFP and earn your recertification credits you will need to complete a final 1-hour, online exam. Please note the exam must be booked and completed within your 6-month access period.
Please note the exam must be booked and completed within your 6-month access period. Please ensure you schedule your exam at least 1 week prior to the end of your access period as availability can be limited.
The final exam can be taken at any time after you have completed the 6 courses. It lasts for 60 minutes and is live proctored via the internet. This means there is someone monitoring your environment via webcam to ensure there is no outside interference and maintain the integrity of the certification. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions.
Your purchase of the CTFP includes 1 attempt at the final exam. The passing mark is 70%. If you score lower than that you will need to purchase a retake for US$100 while you are still within your 6-month access period.
The CTFP is valid for three years from date you pass the exam.
To re-certify you must earn 24 credits before the three-year expiration date.
Credits can be earned through online and offline learning as well as attending relevant events.
Learn more about recertification
"I enrolled in the CTFP because this certification is authored by leading trade finance experts from the ICC’s Banking Commission, making it one of the most credible programmes available in the market. Each course is structured to ensure the essentials of global trade finance have been sufficiently covered."
"I see the CTFP as a perfect way for any trade finance person to (a) be part of a global community and (b) have a certification that highlights your expertise and automatically puts you at a certain level that is respected in the industry."
The biggest benefit…has been the ability to apply globally standardised trade finance knowledge to real-world banking operations.
Who is the Core CTFP for
The Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) is an advanced programme that targets more senior trade finance and treasury managers and specialists who want a wider range of expertise. This core version of the CTFP is for holders of LIBF’s CDCS, CSDG or CITF programmes, as well as graduates of our own GTC programme.
- Senior corporate banking relationship managers
- Specialists within transaction banking functions
- Senior corporate treasury officers
- Legal and compliance officers within banks
CTFP for teams
More than 500 organisations in over 90 countries have enrolled their teams on our CTFP programme, including major international banks, regional development banks, national banks and large manufacturers. Contact us now to discuss your needs and get a custom quote.
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Feedback from our alumni
Clients have specifically requested CTFP holders for presentations on trade finance digitisation and risk mitigation, reflecting tangible commercial trust and a higher perceived value in customer relationships.
The CTFP has raised my profile among my colleagues and positioned me as an internal expert on trade finance matters. My increased credibility means I have been selected to attend most customer engagements for my bank.
I have added this qualification to my LinkedIn profile and I am sure that it has helped with the many job offers that have been referred to me.
FAQs
Answers to your most commonly asked questions.
The CTFP is valid for three years before it must be recertified. The objective of recertification is to ensure that CTFP holders continue to maintain the high standards of trade finance skills and understanding that have been accredited to them.
You can see full details of our recertification requirements, including how to earn credit points here.
Your purchase of the CTFP allows one attempt at the exam. If required, a retake can be purchased for USD $100 if you are still within your 6-month access period. Please email our Helpdesk.
Please note the exam must be booked and completed within your 6-month access period. Please ensure you schedule your exam at least 1 week prior to the end of your access period as availability can be limited.
All our courses and the final exam are taken online. This means they are accessible at any time, from anywhere in the world. You can find more details about how our exams work here.
Your purchase includes 6 months to access all 6 Core CTFP courses. You can access the lessons as many times as you like within the 6-month access period. Once you have completed all 6 courses, you will get access to the final exam.
Due to the immediate availability of our course content upon registration, ICC Academy has a strict no-refund policy for our courses and certifications. For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.
Each individual course will take between approximately 5-6 hours to complete depending on your level of experience. To qualify for the exam you must complete all 6 courses.
Learners who complete the Core CTFP and pass the final exam can claim 25 credits towards recertification of LIBF programmes by submitting their certification to LIBF.