The International Federation of Technical Analysts offers certification to  Professional Technical Analysts around the world. IFTA Colleagues (members of an IFTA-affiliated society) may apply for the "Certified Financial Technician" program. Examinations for both stages of this program (foundation and certificate levels) are held twice annually in various locations and languages.

Introduction
The IFTA Certificate (Certified Financial Technician) replaces DITA I & II, which started in 1996. The program consists of two levels, with the examinations normally being taken at 12-month intervals. There are usually two exam sittings per year.

Venues and dates vary from year to year, but each April they generally include London, Frankurt, Geneva and Hong Kong as well as at least one site in North America, and in October/November they always include the site of IFTA's Annual Conference which takes place at various centres throughout the world (in 2005, this will be Vancouver, Canada).

If strict conditions of security and authorised supervision can be guaranteed, IFTA may agree to permit the examinations to be taken in other places on an individual or (more usually) on a group basis.

Examinations
The two examinations culminate in the award of a truly international professional qualification in Technical Analysis. The exams test not only technical skills, but also ethics and international market knowledge.

Level 1: This exam usually consists of 120 questions with multiple choice-answers, covering a wide range of technical knowledge but not usually involving actual experience. The pass mark is generally above 70 percent. Previous exams are not available, but a limited number of sample questions is sent out with the syllabus and reading list.

Level 2: This exam incorporates a number of questions requiring (short) essay-type answers which should demonstrate both knowledge of and experience in using various types of technical analysis; it also provides a number of different charts covering one specific market (often an equity), which has to be analyzed as though for a Fund Manager. The pass mark is normally above 70 percent. Syllabus and required reading list, as well as previous exam papers, are available on receipt of application and fees.

Prerequisites
Only IFTA Colleagues (that is, members of an IFTA Member Society) are eligible for this program. On receipt of applications, confirmation will be sought from the candidate's local Society that the applicant is a properly accredited and fully paid-up member or associate member of that Society.

If there is at present no IFTA-affiliated TA Society in your country, you may still participate in the process by either:

Joining an established society in another country. Most societies accept non-resident members. For a list of IFTA societies, please see IFTA Member Societies
Linking up with other like-minded people, creating a TA Society in your country and applying to IFTA for Developing Society status.

Curriculum
The program is essentially designed for self-study. Local societies may offer preparation courses to assist potential candidates. Reading Lists are available on the IFTA website.

Exemptions
The following exemptions apply:

Individuals who have previously passed the CMT Level 1 exam (set by the US-based Market Technicians Association) are exempt from Level 1 of the program.
Holders of the STA Diploma are exempt from Level 2, but must pass Level 1 (a multiple-choice, broadly based test) before qualifiying for the Certificate.
Persons who have successfully completed E114 and E171 through the Securities Institute of Australia (SIA) and have been awarded the "Diploma in Technical Analysis" by the ATAA are considered to have the equivalent of the certificate and may apply for the MFTA Program.
Individuals who have passed Level 1 and Level 2 of the Testing Program offered by the NTAA and have been awarded the designation of "Chartered Member of the Nippon Technical Analysts Association" (CMTA) are also exempt from both levels and may proceed to the MFTA Program.

Cost
Cost of the exams is as follows: Level 1 US $500 and Level 2 US $800.

Registration
Application forms are available on the IFTA website.

Applications must be complete and accompanied by registration fees.

Further Information
For more information on the program please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please note that fees and conditions may be subject to change without notice.

Master of Financial Technical Analysis (MFTA) Program

Introduction
IFTA's Master of Financial Technical Analysis - MFTA - replaces DITA III. It requires a university-style research paper. It is intended to be a severe test of professionalism in the global arena (see further details posted separately). There is one submission date per year.

Prerequisites
MFTA is opened to all holders of the Certified Financial Technician designation or equivalent (currently CMTA from the NTAA and Dip.TA from AATA) who are members of IFTA-affiliated Societies (IFTA Colleagues). On receipt of applications, confirmation will be sought from the candidate's local Society that the applicant is a properly accredited and fully paid-up member or associate member of that Society before further processing takes place.

Cost
Cost of the exam is US $900.

Registration
Application form is available on the IFTA Web site [www.ifta.org/pdfs/MFTA Application Form.pdf].

Program Details
In order to complete this level and receive your Diploma, you must write a research paper of no less than three thousand words (but generally no more than five thousand). Charts, Figures and Tables may be presented in addition, but should not constitute the bulk of the paper.

Your paper must meet the following criteria:

It must be original
It must develop a reasoned and logical argument and lead to a sound conclusion supported by the tests, studies and analysess contained in the paper
The subject matter should be of practical application, and
It should add to the body of knowledge in the discipline of international technical analysis.
The first and most important step for a candidate is to submit an outline of the proposed paper to Michael Smyrk at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , standing in lieu of the Chairman of the Accreditation Committee. Care should be taken to ensure that this Summary is sufficiently detailed to enable the Committee to determine whether or not the proposed paper meets the above criteria. Failure to submit a sufficiently detailed or well thought-out outline, or departure from the outline after it has been approved, could mean wasted time and effort.

Your outline should be submitted to the Accreditation Committee (via Michael Smyrk) no later than May 3 in the year in which you intend to submit your paper. Response to that outline will normally be made no later than June 1 in the same year. The official application form (and payment) must also be sent separately to the DITA Admin Office by May 3.

Your completed paper must be mailed, couriered or hand-delivered so as to reach Michael Smyrk no later than October 15 of that year. Delivery must be in electronic form (via e-mail) and by hard copy, by that deadline. Papers received after October 15 will not be accepted, and candidates will need to re-enroll (and pay a second registration fee) for MFTA the following year.

Depending on the number of applicants, results will generally be made known by the end of March in the following year.

It is anticipated that most candidates for MFTA will have some academic background, and this should convey the high standard against which these papers will be judged. Papers which do not meet the professional requirements of the Committee will be rejected, with reasons, and candidates may either start again or revise their paper and resubmit it the following year. This will be viewed as a fresh application. Alternately, candidates who are dissatisfied with their mark may elect to have their paper referred to the Accreditation Committee for review. The fee payable for review will be communicated at the time the application is made. Candidates should note, however, that due to other pressures and the fact that the Committee members are in several countries, the review process can take several months. If the Committee confirms the original result this may mean that you miss the opportunity to submit another paper in the following year.

Copyright of all submitted Papers will be held by IFTA, although any application by the writer to publish the work in other areas will generally be regarded favourably, on condition that due reference is made to IFTA's copyright. The Journal Committee of IFTA may, in its absolute discretion, choose to publish particularly meritorious papers, either edited or unedited, in the IFTA Journal or any other IFTA publication, and any Paper or part thereof may be posted on the IFTA website. Each candidate is deemed to have given their permission for the publication, in whole or in part, of her or his Paper.

Further Information
For more information on this Diploma please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please note that fees and conditions may be subject to change without notice..