Frequently Asked Questions -RTA Mutual Funds

1. When am I eligible for NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program?
If you hold any of the following Certificates:(a) NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund Certification Examination
(b) NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund Continuing Professional Education and the validity of which has not expired, you are eligible to attend NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program under the  
‘General’ Category. However, you cannot attend a CPE Program twelve months prior to the date of expiry of such Certificate (i.e.,) you can attend the CPE Program only in the final year of your Certificate validity period. On successful completion of the CPE Program, the Certificate held shall be re-validated for a period of three years from its date of expiry. Also, if you are actively engaged in the management of an Intermediary’s Securities business including supervision, solicitation, conduct of business, (i.e.,) if you are a Proprietor / Sole Proprietor / Partner / Managing Partner / Chairman / Director / Executive Director / Whole-Time Director / Chief Executive Officer of any Securities Market Intermediary, you are eligible to attend NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program under the  ‘Principal’ Category.
On successful completion of the CPE Program, the Certificate issued shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of the Program. Further, if you have completed 50 years of age   as on September 04, 2009, or have worked for 10 years or more   as on September 04, 2009 in a registered Registrar to an Issue or Share Transfer Agent, performing any of the below-mentioned activities:
(a) dealing or interacting with the investors or issuers
(b) dealing, collecting or processing applications from the applicants
(c) dealing with matters relating to corporate actions, refunds or redemptions, repurchase of securities
(d) handling redressal of investors’ grievances
(e) internal control and risk management
(f) compliance of securities laws
(g) maintenance of books and records pertaining to the above activities you are eligible to attend NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program under the  ‘Grandfather’ Category. The Certificate issued shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of the CPE Program.

Registration for the Program
1. When should I register for a CPE Program?
Since there are limited seats for every CPE Program, you are advised to avail the opportunity of registering early so as to secure a seat. We suggest that you register at least six months prior to the expiry of your Certificate in order to ensure that you get a seat in your preferred location. Requests for registration received closer to the expiry of the Certificate may not be successful.
2. How can I register for a CPE Program?
You may contact a NISM Accredited CPE Provider via phone or email or approach them with a duly filled CPE Registration Form.  Also, a list of the forthcoming RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Programs is available on our website. Please keep the following information handy while making calls for registration to any of the CPE Providers: Name and Address, Permanant Account Number (PAN), Current Certificate Name, Current Certificate Number and Expiry Date Preferred CPE Location Phone Number, Email id.
3. What is to be done after I register via email or call?
NISM and its Accredited CPE Providers receive registration requests from various cities. When a minimum number of requests are received from a particular region, a CPE Program is arranged by the respective CPE Provider in a suitable location. Based on your collective requests and preferences, the CPE venue and dates are finalized and the seat confirmations with all the relevant details are sent to the registered Candidates.
4. What if there are very few persons interested in NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program from my preferred location?
In such cases, you may choose the nearest city, suiting your convenience, where the venue is finalized.  If you are based in non-metro cities, while putting in your request, you may mention the cities that are close by, in the order of your preference.5. What if the CPE Program date and/or venue do/does not suit me? As there is a window of twelve months available, you may wish to wait for another CPE Program to be announced within such time and at a location of your choice(s).  However, since it is a regulatory requirement, it will be in your interest to comply with it as early as possible.  While NISM makes best endeavors to offer a convenient venue and preferred dates, it may not always be feasible to conduct frequent CPE Programs in a particular area unless there is significant demand for the same.

Principal Category
1. I am the Proprietor / Partner / Managing Partner / Chairman / Director / Executive Director / Whole Time Director / Chief Executive Officer of a registered RTA. Am I eligible to attend NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program without any of the two Certificates?
If you do not hold any of the Certificates (mentioned earlier) but are a Proprietor / Partner / Managing Partner / Chairman / Director / Executive Director / Whole-Time Director / Chief Executive Officer of any registered Intermediary, you are eligible to attend NISM Series II (a): RTA-Corporate CPE Program under the ‘Principal’ Category.

2. What is the format of ‘Proof of Designation’ to be produced to attend NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund under the ‘Principal’ Category?
The format of ‘Proof of Designation’ can be obtained from here. If you are the Proprietor / Sole Proprietor / Partner / Managing Partner / Chairman / Director / Executive Director / Whole-Time Director / Chief Executive Officer of a registered Broker / Trading Member / Depository Participant, the ‘Proof of Designation’ has to be obtained on the letterhead of such Broker / Trading Member / Depository Participant and has to be signed by the Compliance Officer only.

Also, a copy of the Registration Certificate of the Broker / Trading Member / Depository Participant should be enclosed. If you are an Authorized Person or are the Proprietor / Sole Proprietor / Partner / Managing Partner / Chairman / Director / Executive Director / Whole-Time Director / Chief Executive Officer of any other registered Intermediary, the ‘Proof of Designation’ has to be obtained on the letterhead of the Broker / Trading Member with which the Intermediary is associated with and has to be signed by the Compliance Officer of the Broker / Trading Member. Also, a copy of the Registration Certificate of the Intermediary (of which you are the Proprietor / Sole Proprietor / Partner / Managing Partner / Chairman / Director / Executive Director / Whole Time Director / Chief Executive Officer) should be enclosed.

Grandfather Category
1. I am a senior citizen. Am I eligible to attend NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program without any of the two Certificates?
If you do not hold any of the Certificates (mentioned earlier) but have completed 50 years of age as on September 04, 2009, you are eligible to attend NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program under the ‘Grandfather by Age’ Category.

2. I have been working in the industry for a long time. Am I eligible to attend NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program without any of the two Certificates?
If you do not hold have any of the Certificates (mentioned earlier) but have worked for 10 years or more in a registered Registrar to an Issue or Share Transfer Agent, in dealing or interacting with the investors or issuers/dealing, collecting or processing applications from the applicants / dealing with matters relating to corporate actions, refunds or redemptions, repurchase of securities/handling redressal of investors’ grievances / internal control and risk management/compliance of securities laws/maintenance of books and records pertaining to the above activities, as on September 04, 2009, you are eligible to attend NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program under the ‘Grandfather by Experience’ Category.

3. What is the format of ‘Proof of Experience’ to be produced to attend NISM Series II (b): RTA-Mutual Fund CPE Program under the ‘Grandfather by Experience’ Category? The format of ‘Proof of Experience’ can be obtained from here. The ‘Proof of Experience’ has to be obtained on the letterhead of the registered RTA (in which you are currently working)and has to be signed by the Compliance Officer. Also, a copy of the Registration Certificate of the RTA should be enclosed. In case you have worked in multiple RTAs, their details (Name and Registration number) have to be provided in the ‘Proof of Experience’.

CPE Certificate
1. My Name on the Certificate does not match with the Name on my PAN Card. How do I get it corrected?
NISM issues Certificate based on the name available in NSDL’s repository of PAN Card holders. Any change in Name on the Certificate shall be made only after such change has been reflected in NSDL’s repository. If an error/mismatch still persists, you may mail your Certificate along with your correct name to cpe@nism.ac.in .

2. I have lost my Certificate. How can I appear for NISM CPE Program? If you produce a clear photocopy where the photo on the Certificate can be verified properly, you may be allowed to appear for the CPE Program. If you do not have a good photocopy, please apply with the original issuing authority for issue of Duplicate Certificate. Please note that NISM can issue Duplicate Certificates only if the Certificate was issued by NISM. You may attend the CPE Program only after producing such Certificate.

3. When do I get my CPE Certificate?
After NISM verifies the authenticity of the Documents submitted, your Certificate will be sent 
in electronic format only, to the email id provided in the Registration Form. You are expected to receive the Certificate in about 30 working days from the date of the CPE Program.

4. How can I track the status of my CPE Certificate?
The status of your Certificate can be tracked by calling NISM Helpdesk at 8080806476 or emailing to cpe@nism.ac.in.

5. I have misplaced my Certificate. How do I apply for a Duplicate Certificate?
NISM emails the certificate to the candidate’s registered email ID. The candidate is also provided with an option to download the certificate by login to NISM portal. The download option is made available under the ‘My Examination’ menu.