Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)

Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualification and Agreements on Mutual Exemption of Examination Papers

Construction and Related Engineering Services

Securities and Futures Services

Professional Accountants Services

Estate Agents

Cooperation of Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications under Agreement of Economic and Technical Cooperation

Construction and related Engineering Services

• For latest information on mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the Mainland and Hong Kong regarding construction and related engineering services, please visit the web site of Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG).

• Architects

  The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the National Administration Board of Architectural Registration signed in Beijing on 17 February 2004 an agreement on mutual recognition of professional qualification in architecture. The first training and test session under the agreement was held in May 2004.  The qualification certificates were presented to the first batch of successful candidates on 16 August 2004. For details, please contact HKIA.

• Structural Engineers

  The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) and the National Administration Board of Engineering Registration (Structural) signed in Beijing on 27 August 2004 a reciprocal recognition agreement for structural engineers. For details, please contact HKIE.

• General Practice Surveyors

  The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the China Institute of Real Estate Appraisers signed a reciprocity agreement on 4 November 2003 for general practice surveyors in Hong Kong and real estate appraisers in the Mainland. The first training and test session under the agreement was held in March 2004. The qualification certificates were presented to the first batch of successful candidates on 20 August 2004. For details, please contact HKIS.

• Planners

  The Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) and the National Administration Board (NAB) of Professional Planners System of the Ministry of Construction signed an agreement on mutual recognition of professional planning qualifications between Hong Kong and the Mainland on 24 May 2005. For details, please contact HKIP.

• Quantity Surveyors

  The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the China Engineering Cost Association signed on 24 May 2005 a mutual recognition agreement for quantity surveyors in Hong Kong and cost engineers in the Mainland. The first training and test session under the agreement was held from 28 November to 1 December 2005. The qualification certificates were presented to the successful candidates on 11 May 2006. On the basis of the mutual recognition agreement, supplementary agreements were signed on 22 June 2009, 15 October 2015 and 25 July 2017. For details, please contact HKIS.
   

• Building Surveyors

  The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the China Association of Engineering Consultants (CAEC) signed on 27 June 2006 a mutual recognition agreement for building surveyors in Hong Kong and engineering consultants of the CAEC in the Mainland. For details, please contact HKIS.
   

Securities and Futures Services

• The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the China Securities Regulatory Commission signed in December 2003 the "Mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement - Arrangements relating to Qualifications of Securities and Futures Industry Practitioners". For details of the arrangement for mutual recognition of professional qualification of CEPA, please refer to parts 3.5 and 3.15 of the "Related Frequently Asked Questions", which is accessible at the hyperlink below. 

  Related Frequently Asked Questions

  For further enquiries, please contact SFC.

Professional Accountants Services

• The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of the HKSARG and the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China signed on 27 August 2004 an agreement on the mutual exemption of certain examination papers for Mainland and Hong Kong accountants ( 內 地 與 香 港 註 冊 會 計 師 部 分 考 試 科 目 相 互 豁 免 協 議 ) (pdf format in Chinese). Supplementary agreements on the mutual exemption of certain examination papers and an agreement on the extension of the scope of beneficiaries for the mutual exemption arrangement (pdf format in Chinese) were signed in conjunction with the signing of the Supplement V on 29 July 2008. A second supplementary agreement on the mutual exemption of certain examination papers (pdf format in Chinese) was further signed on 1 November 2010. For details, please contact the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants or browse the website of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

• Under Supplement VI to CEPA, Hong Kong residents who have formally become members of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants on or before 31 March 2009 are exempted from the "Finance and Accounting" paper when sitting for Mainland's Certified Tax Agent qualification examination.  For details, please refer to the Circular on Questions Related to the Participation of Hong Kong Residents in the Certified Tax Agent Qualification Examination (in Chinese only).

Estate Agents

• On 3 November 2010, Estate Agents Authority (EAA) of Hong Kong and China Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and Agents (CIREA), Mainland's national regulatory body, entered into an agreement on mutual recognition of professional qualifications of estate agents in Hong Kong and in the Mainland (pdf format in Chinese). On 23 June 2017, the EAA and CIREA entered into an agreement to renew the mutual recognition scheme. For details, please contact EAA or browse the website of EAA.