Registration and Membership
The Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) requires certain firms and individuals that conduct business in the derivatives industry to register with the CFTC. CFTC regulations also require, with few exceptions, CFTC registered firms to be NFA Members. The CFTC has delegated registration responsibility to NFA.
All futures professionals required to register with the CFTC are granted registration only after a thorough investigation of their background to determine if they meet the fitness standards set forth in the CEA.
Click the tabs below to learn about the types of activity that require CFTC registration, the requirements and how to register.
Firm Registration
Commodity Pool Operator (CPO)
An individual or organization that operates a commodity pool and solicits funds for that commodity pool
Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA)
An individual or organization that, for compensation or profit, advises others, directly or indirectly, as to the value of or the advisability of trading futures contracts, options on futures, retail off-exchange forex contracts or swapsFutures Commission Merchant (FCM)
An entity that solicits or accepts orders to buy or sell futures contracts, options on futures, retail off-exchange forex contracts or swaps, and accepts money or other assets from customers to support such orders
Introducing Broker (IB)
An individual or organization that solicits or accepts orders to buy or sell futures contracts, forex, commodity options, or swaps but does not accept money or other assets from customers to support these orders
Individual Registrants
Associated Person (AP)
An individual who solicits orders, customers or customer funds (or who supervises persons so engaged) on behalf of a futures commission merchant (FCM), retail foreign exchange dealer (RFED), introducing broker (IB), commodity trading advisor (CTA) or commodity pool operator (CPO)
Floor Broker (FB)
An individual who purchases or sells any futures contracts, options on futures or swaps on any contract market for any other person
Floor Trader (FT)
A person who purchases or sells any futures contracts, options on futures or swaps on any contract market for such person's own account
Principal
An applicant, a registrant, or a person required to be registered under CFTC Regulation 3.1 (a)
Register Online
Begin the enrollment process.
Security Manager Duties
Understand the responsibilities of a security manager.
Templates and Forms
Use these templates and forms to prepare for registration.
Dues and Fees
Access information detailing CFTC registration and NFA membership.
Failure to Disclose Disciplinary Information on a Registration Application
Access information regarding the failure to answer disciplinary information correctly or completely.
Proficiency Requirements
Learn how to satisfy proficiency requirements and obtain study materials for various proficiency examinations.
Registration Guides
NFA provides resources for parties interested in NFA registration.
Membership and Directories
NFA makes available a public listing of current membership counts, as well as password-protected membership directories and a list of exemption notice filings.
Security Manager Information
In order to access NFA's Online Registration System, NFA Members will need to designate a Security Manager.
Obtaining Registration Records
Firms, floor brokers and floor traders can obtain copies of their registration records or filings using NFA's Online Registration System.