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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
Accounting Services
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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 (in Chinese only). Subsequently, 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 (in Chinese only) were signed in conjunction with the signing of Supplement V to CEPA on 29 July 2008. A second supplementary agreement on the mutual exemption of certain examination papers (in Chinese only) was further signed on 1 November 2010. For details, please contact the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) or browse the website of HKICPA.
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Under Supplement VI to CEPA, Hong Kong residents who have formally become members of the HKICPA 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).
Banking Services
- The Hong Kong Institute of Bankers (HKIB) and the China Banking Association (CBA) signed the "Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Recognition of Personal Wealth Management Qualification Certificates" on 14 July 2009, officially launching the mutual recognition mechanism. Subsequently, the two sides signed Addendum on 5 May 2010 and Addendum (II) on 6 March 2015 with the aim to continuously improve collaboration arrangements for mutual recognition of qualifications. On 14 October 2022, HKIB, China Bankers Institute and CBA signed Addendum (III) to ensure eligible practitioners can obtain the Associate Retail Wealth Professional (ARWP) professional qualification issued by HKIB. Under the Agreement, financial practitioners from the Mainland and Hong Kong can obtain "dual qualification" (Level 1 of Qualification Certificate of Banking Professional (QCBP) and ARWP) through the mutual recognition mechanism. For details, please contact HKIB or browse the website of HKIB (in Chinese only).
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 website of the Development Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSARG).
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Architects
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the National Administration Board of Architectural Registration signed on 17 February 2004 an agreement on mutual recognition of professional qualification in architecture. For details, please contact HKIA.
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Structural Engineers
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) and the National Administration Board of Engineering Registration (Structural) signed on 27 August 2004 a reciprocal recognition agreement for structural engineers. For details, please contact HKIE.
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General Practice Surveyors
The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the China Institute of Real Estate Appraisers signed on 4 November 2003 a reciprocal recognition agreement for general practice surveyors in Hong Kong and real estate appraisers in the Mainland. For details, please contact HKIS.
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Planners
The Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) and the National Administration Board of Professional Planners System signed on 24 May 2005 an agreement on mutual recognition of professional planning qualifications between Hong Kong and the Mainland. For details, please contact HKIP.
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Quantity Surveyors
The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the China Cost Engineering Association signed on 24 May 2005 a mutual recognition agreement for quantity surveyors in Hong Kong and cost engineers in the Mainland. On the basis of the mutual recognition agreement, supplementary agreements were signed on 22 June 2009, 15 October 2015, 25 July 2017 and 13 March 2024. For details, please contact HKIS.
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Building Surveyors
The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the China Association of Engineering Consultants signed on 27 June 2006 a mutual recognition agreement for building surveyors in Hong Kong and engineering consultants in the Mainland. For details, please contact HKIS.
Real Estate Services
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The Estate Agents Authority (EAA) of Hong Kong and the China Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and Agents (CIREA) signed on 3 November 2010 an agreement on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications for estate agents in the Mainland and Hong Kong (in Chinese only). Subsequently, the EAA and CIREA signed on 23 June 2017 an agreement to renew the mutual recognition scheme. For details, please contact EAA or browse the website of EAA.
Securities and Futures Services
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The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the China Securities Regulatory Commission signed on 3 December 2003 the "Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement - Arrangements relating to Qualifications of Securities and Futures Industry Practitioners". For details, please refer to the "Frequently Asked Questions" on SFC's website. For further enquiries, please contact SFC.