The Certified Documentary Credits Expert (CDCE) certification is designed to give you the expert-level skills necessary to analyse and provide solutions to the most complex aspects of a documentary credit transaction. It is the highest level of ICC-certified competence in documentary credits.
Below we answer some of the most common questions related to this certification.
Q: What is the difference between the CDCE and the CDCS?
Although the CDCE and LIBF's Certified Documentary Credits Specialist (CDCS) qualification may seem similar, there are some key differences you should be aware of.
- Enrolment criteria: To register for the CDCE you must meet at least one of the criteria below (You will able to submit or share documents once you have registered)
- Have already completed a relevant qualification e.g. CDCS or CTFP
- Have 5 years' experience managing documentary credits
- Be nominated by your employer or ICC National Committee
- Level of learning: The CDCE is the next step for trade finance or treasury professionals who already have a good understanding of documentary credits (including via CDCS), who want to take their understanding to an even higher level and are ready to tackle the most complex, operational challenges of a DC transaction
- Learning format: The CDCE is taught in a hybrid format that combines self-paced online lessons with live, online workshops. The instructor led workshops focus on complex, real-world case studies to ensure you can apply and analyse concepts at an expert level
- Content: The CDCE curriculum focuses exclusively on documentary credits and does not cover standby letters of credit. It also covers essential ICC rules that govern DCs - such as UCP 600 and ISBP 821 - in more depth than the CDCS
In summary, the CDCE should be considered the final part of a documentary credits learning pathway.
Q: How long will it take to complete the CDCE?
It will take a minimum of 4 months to complete all of the lessons, attend all four workshops and then pass the final exam. However you do not need to complete it that quickly if you don't want to. You can spread your learning out over your 12 month access period if that is preferred.
Q: How long do I have access to the CDCE?
You will have 12 months access to all the online lessons, the recordings of all four workshops and to complete the final exam.
Q: What happens if I fail the exam?
Your purchase of the CDCE allows one attempt at the exam. If required, a retake can be purchased for USD $100. Please contact our Help Desk at helpdesk@iccacademy.com.sg
Q: How long is the CDCE valid for? How do I recertify?
The CDCE is valid for five years but the first recertification is free.
After this you will need to acquire 50 credits or CPDs every 5 years and pass the final exam again. The exam retake costs US$100. You can see full details of our recertification process here.
Q: What can I expect during the workshops?
During each of the four 3-hour online workshop, your ICC expert trainer will:
- Check your understanding of what you have learned in the corresponding lesson
- Demonstrate real-life applications of DCs and UCP 600
- Discuss the various operational challenges in using UCP 600 and how to overcome them
- Guide you through how to answer case-based essay questions effectively in preparation for the final exam
Q: When will the workshops happen? What happens if I can't attend one?
The dates of upcoming live workshops will be displayed inside your learning dashboard when you log in to the CDCE.
There are four workshops to attend in total and each one corresponds to a lesson you will have gone through previously. Each of the four workshops will be run three times over 12 months, so you will have multiple opportunities to attend each one.
In addition all workshops are recorded and the latest recording of each workshop will be available within your dashboard.
Q: Is it compulsory to attend the workshops?
It is not compulsory to attend the workshops, but we strongly encourage you to do so to give yourself the best chance of passing the final exam.
Q: How does the exam work?
To obtain the digital certificate of achievement, you will need to pass a two-hour online exam — the passing mark is 85%.
The final exam is comprised of 70 multiple-choice questions and 2 case-based essay questions. You can access practice questions in the learning management system.
The exam is live proctored via the internet. This means someone will monitor your computer and environment via webcam to ensure there is no outside interference and that you do not use non-approved study aids.
The only requirements are a steady internet connection, a webcam and granting access to a 'proctor' to monitor your computer.
Q: How do I get my certificate?
Once you pass the final exam you will be able to download your digital certificate of achievement from your dashboard. This certificate will also be emailed to you.