The Level 2 Award in Life and Pensions Foundations introduces key life and pensions topics, including customer needs, financial solutions and operational practices across pensions, protection, investments and savings, the sector's value to society and the economy, and the importance of professional conduct and maintaining a customer focus.

As part of the drive towards raising the standards and competence of financial advisers, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approached the CII to create a re-evaluation test of the knowledge required to practice as a retail investment adviser.

The level 4 Diploma became the standard when the Retail Distribution Review came into force at the start of 2013. Advisers complete a minimum of 35 hours continuous professional development each year with the aim of maintaining and updating their knowledge. Only a few firms test their advisers' knowledge yearly as part of their Statement of Professional Standing. We believe that advisers having a good level of knowledge is the foundation to giving sound financial advice.