As part of the implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between Hong Kong and China, China’s Securities Association has announced the ninth People's Republic of China Securities Regulations Examination.

Applicants must be permanent residents, holding or having held within the past three years a relevant license issued by Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission.

Investment advisors can now apply for the exam on the laws and regulations of the Mainland, to be sat on 19 May. Upon completion, they are eligible to apply for the corresponding industry qualification from the SAC, subject to any other requirements of the Mainland.

Upon satisfying all other requirements of the Mainland, they will be exempted from taking any technical examinations, and they will also be able to apply for the corresponding practising qualification in the Mainland.

The Hong Kong Securities Institute has been appointed by China’s securities watchdog as the sole agent to handle the enrolment and administration of the examination for Hong Kong professionals. The first examination was held in Shenzhen in 2004.

Enrolments will be coordinated by the HKSI and will commence from 28 March 2012 to 2 May 2012. The relevant enrolment forms and details about the examination are available from the HKSI counter and website: www.hksi.org/prc_exam