CETF® Certification & Exam
Earn the Certified ETF Advisor (CETF®) Designation
The Certified ETF Advisor (CETF®) designation is designed for financial professionals seeking to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of exchange-traded funds—from ETF structure and trading mechanics to specialized products and portfolio applications.
To earn the CETF® designation, candidates become members of The ETF Institute, complete the CETF® study materials, and successfully pass the certification examination.
What the CETF® exam covers:
The CETF® examination tests knowledge across key areas of the ETF marketplace:
- ETF structure and mechanics, including the creation/redemption process and the roles of authorized participants and market makers
- ETF benefits, risks, and considerations, including tax efficiency, transparency, costs, premiums and discounts, and tracking
- ETF legal structures, including open-end funds, unit investment trusts (UITs), grantor trusts, and other structures
- Specialized ETFs, including futures-based, leveraged, and inverse products and the effects of daily resets and compounding
- ETF trading and liquidity, including bid-ask spreads, underlying liquidity, order types, and best trading practices
- ETF portfolio applications, including evaluating exposures and understanding how ETF structures and strategies may behave in varying market environments
The CETF® examination is designed to test more than familiarity with ETF terminology. Candidates are expected to understand how ETFs work, how they trade, and how structural and product differences can affect risk, performance, and investor outcomes.
The CETF® Examination
The CETF® examination is administered online through The ETF Institute and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have three hours to complete the exam in one sitting and must achieve a score of 70% or higher to earn the CETF® designation.
Candidates receive their exam score immediately upon completion. Those who successfully pass can immediately download their Certificate of Completion.
Candidates who do not achieve a passing score may retake the examination after a 30-day waiting period. There is no additional examination fee to retake the exam, provided membership remains current.
Earning and Maintaining Your CETF®
Earn the CETF®
- $795 Initial Membership
- Study Materials Included
- Certification Exam Included
Maintain the CETF®
- Every Two Years
- 15 Hours CE Required
- Maintains CETF® in Good Standing
CETF® holders maintain their designation by completing 15 hours of qualifying continuing education every two years and renewing their membership for $300 every two years.
Ready to Earn Your CETF®?
Take the next step toward becoming a Certified ETF Advisor (CETF®).