Capital Markets Licensing Registry and Training Agency

What Capital Markets Licensing Registry and Training Agency does

SPL (Sermaye Piyasası Lisanslama Sicil ve Eğitim Kuruluşu A.Ş.) is the sole government-authorized body in Turkey responsible for licensing, examination, registry, and training of capital markets professionals, operating under statutory authority delegated by the Capital Markets Board of Turkey (SPK). Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Istanbul, SPL issues 9 distinct license types (Level 1, Level 2, Derivatives, Credit, Corporate, Real Estate, Housing, and Information Systems) and maintains a national registry of 126,000+ licensed individuals working at brokerages, investment banks, asset managers, rating agencies, and publicly listed companies. The organization also administers MASAK Financial Crimes Investigation Board compliance officer examinations as a secondary statutory mandate.

SPL's operational footprint is anchored by a multi-platform digital architecture: the LSTS (Lisanslama ve Sicil Tutma Sistemi) registry management platform with e-Devlet SSO integration, the SPL Başvuru Sistemi for exam and licensing applications, the SOEP online education platform, and a network of 7 electronic exam centers spanning Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Gaziantep, Samsun, Antalya, and Erzurum. Supporting platforms include the SPL Lisanslü Kariyer job-matching portal (launched 2023), the SPL Asistan Google-powered AI chatbot (launched June 2026), and the SPL Finansal Doktrin academic journal (first issue 2024). To date, SPL has administered 455,000+ licensing exams and trained 189,000+ participants.

SPL's revenue model is fee-based across four streams: per-candidate licensing exam application fees (pay-as-you-go), mandatory 3-year license renewal training fees (recurring), professional development and corporate training programs, and MASAK compliance examination fees. Employer bulk-payment capability, introduced in 2023, is converting individual transactions into enterprise-level recurring contracts. Customer base is segmented into individual capital markets professionals, capital market institutions and publicly listed companies, and university students in finance-related fields, with cooperation protocols signed with 13+ Turkish universities. The company is structured as a private Turkish joint-stock company (A.Ş.) governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Mehmet Emin Akyüz, with Serkan Karabacak as General Manager.

Name

Capital Markets Licensing Registry and Training Agency

Legal name

Sermaye Piyasası Lisanslama Sicil ve Eğitim Kuruluşu A.Ş.

Website

https://spl.com.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SPL is the sole Turkish government-authorized body for licensing, examination, registry, and training of capital markets professionals, serving 126,000+ licensees across 9 license types via 7 nationwide electronic exam centers and integrated digital platforms including LSTS, SOEP, and the SPL Asistan AI chatbot.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Capital Markets Licensing & Professional Certification

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms (EDAFADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Occupational Licensing Examination Authorities (EDADAFAD), Regulatory Change, Governance & Compliance Management (GRC) (FSACAJAK)

Keywords

• Capital markets licensing
• Professional certification exams
• Regulatory training services
• Securities licensing registry
• Financial examination services

Headquarters

HQ city

Istanbul

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Lisanslama Sınav Başvuru Ücretleri: Candidates pay fees to register for electronic licensing examinations. The organization operates exam centers in 7 cities across Turkey (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Gaziantep, Samsun, Antalya, Erzurum). Exam applications are submitted via the SPL Başvuru Sistemi (basvuru.spl.com.tr).
2. Lisans Yenileme Eğitim Ücretleri: Licensed individuals must renew their licenses every 3 years by attending renewal training. Fees are charged per training module. Employers may pay fees collectively on behalf of employees via a bulk payment module.
3. Mesleki Gelişim ve Eğitim Programları: SPL generates revenue from live training sessions, video-based e-learning courses (via lisansliegitim.com.tr), corporate training programs, MKK e-Genel Kurul trainings, and Gayrimenkul/Konut Değerleme Uzmanlığı Mesleki Uygulamalı Eğitim Programları. Training calendar published regularly with both online and in-person offerings.
4. MASAK Uyum Görevlisi Yetkilendirme Sınavları: SPL administers MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) Compliance Officer Authorization Examinations via the MBS system, generating per-exam fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SPL (Sermaye Piyasası Lisanslama Sicil ve Eğitim Kuruluşu A.Ş.) is the sole government-authorized body in Turkey that administers licensing examinations, issues professional licenses, maintains the official registry (sicil), and delivers mandatory renewal training for capital markets professionals. Operating under Capital Markets Board (SPK) authorization, it issues 9 license types (Level 1, Level 2, Derivatives, Credit, Corporate, Real Estate, Housing, Information Systems, and Level 3) and conducts electronic exams across 7 cities in Turkey.

Product overview

SPL (Sermaye Piyasası Lisanslama Sicil ve Eğitim Kuruluşu A.Ş.) operates a multi-platform portfolio of digital services centered on the licensing, examination, registry, and professional training of capital markets personnel in Turkey. The core platforms consist of LSTS (Lisanslama ve Sicil Tutma Sistemi) for license and registry management, the SPL Başvuru Sistemi (SBS) for exam and training applications, and the SPL Online Eğitim Platformu (SOEP) for online training delivery. These are complemented by the SPL Asistan AI chatbot for customer inquiry support, the SPL Lisanslı Kariyer Platformu for employment matching, and the SPL Finansal Doktrin academic journal. SPL offers 9 distinct license types covering capital markets activities including derivatives, credit, corporate, real estate, housing valuation, and information systems auditing. The organization also operates 7 electronic exam centers nationwide and provides professional development training through live sessions, video courses, and renewal programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SPL Finansal Doktrin: Academic journal publishing research on capital markets
• SPL Lisanslı Kariyer Platformu
• SPL Başvuru Sistemi
• SPL Asistan

Products and services

• Licensing Service (Lisanslama Faaliyeti) End-to-end professional licensing service conducted under the authority of the Capital Markets Board (SPK), covering 9 license types including Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Derivatives, Credit, Corporate, Real Estate, Housing, and Information Systems. SPL administers the full licensing lifecycle including initial issuance, renewal, suspension, and cancellation. Target customers are individuals seeking employment in qualifying positions at capital market institutions and publicly listed companies in Turkey.
• Examination Service (Sınav Faaliyeti) Electronic licensing examination service conducted at 7 SPL exam centers across Turkey (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Gaziantep, Antalya, Samsun, Erzurum). Candidates pay per-exam fees through the SPL Başvuru Sistemi and take computerized exams covering all 9 license types. Exam study notes and subject outlines are published on the SPL website.
• Registry Service (Sicil Faaliyeti) Official registry service maintaining records of licensed personnel working at capital markets institutions and publicly listed companies. Institutions submit registry notifications (sicil bildirim) through the LSTS system with electronic signature-enabled submissions. SPL also offers public license verification through the Kamuya Açık Lisans Sorgulama portal.
• Professional Development Training (Eğitim Faaliyeti) Professional development and mandatory license renewal training service. Includes live training sessions, video-based e-learning courses via SOEP and lisansliegitim.com.tr, corporate training programs, MKK e-Genel Kurul trainings, and Gayrimenkul/Konut Değerleme Uzmanlığı professional applied training programs. Licensed individuals must attend renewal training every 3 years.
• MASAK Compliance Officer Authorization Examination Specialized examination service for MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) Compliance Officer Authorization, administered via the MBS system within the SPL Başvuru Sistemi. Candidates pay per-exam fees to obtain AML compliance officer certification required by Turkish financial institutions.
• SPL Lisanslı Kariyer Platformu (Licensed Career Platform) Career portal connecting licensed capital markets professionals with capital markets institutions and publicly listed companies. Enables institutions to publish job postings for licensed positions and allows candidates to receive notifications and share resumes. Operated under SPL's Private Employment Bureau License (No. 1569) from İŞKUR.

Quantifiable outcome

• 126,000+ licenses issued; 189,000+ training participants; 455,000+ exams administered; 9 distinct license types; 7 exam cities nationwide

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MKK (Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu A.Ş.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMKK (Central Registry Institution) is a key operational partner. SPL transfers data to MKK for MKK e-Genel Kurul (e-General Meeting) training certification purposes. MKK's logo is displayed in SPL's Partners section.
• Borsa İstanbulcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBorsa İstanbul (Istanbul Stock Exchange) is listed as a partner. The logo appears in SPL's Partners section. The partnership supports the broader capital markets ecosystem that SPL serves.
• Takas (İstanbul Takas ve Saklama Bankası A.Ş.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerİstanbul Takas ve Saklama Bankası (Takasbank) is listed as a partner in SPL's Partners section. Collaborates on joint initiatives such as the 'Altın Yumurta Üniversiteli Fon Sepetim Yarışması' competition.
• Türkiye Değerleme Uzmanları Birliği (TDUB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTDUB logo appears in SPL's Partners section. Related to real estate appraisal license programs.
• Türkiye Sermaye Piyasaları Birliği (TSPB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSPB is listed as a partner. Collaborates with SPL on competitions and events such as the 'Altın Yumurta Üniversiteli Fon Sepetim Yarışması' and 'Kamera Elinde Geleceğin Cebinde' short film competition.
• Marmara Üniversitesi Finansal Bilimler FakültesicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL and Marmara University's Faculty of Financial Sciences signed a cooperation protocol to contribute to the development of Turkey's capital markets. The third 'Sermaye Piyasalarında Kurumsal Yönetim, Sorumluluk ve Sürdürülebilirlik' symposium was co-organized in 2026. Collaboration involves SPL GM Serkan Karabacak, Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Server Demirci, and SPL Board Member Prof. Dr. Levent Çinko.
• İstanbul Üniversitesi İşletme FakültesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL and Istanbul University Faculty of Business signed a cooperation protocol aimed at increasing students' knowledge and awareness and supporting their post-graduation career planning. Meeting held at SPL headquarters with Dean Prof. Dr. Kamil Ahmet Köse and GM Serkan Karabacak.
• İstanbul Ticaret ÜniversitesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL and Istanbul Commerce University signed a cooperation protocol to support students' capital markets knowledge and career planning. Attended by SPL Board Chairman Mehmet Emin Akyüz and GM Serkan Karabacak, hosted by University Rector Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu.
• İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi İşletme ve Yönetim Bilimleri FakültesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL and Istanbul Medipol University Faculty of Business and Management Sciences signed a cooperation protocol. Meeting attended by Board Chairman Mehmet Emin Akyüz and GM Serkan Karabacak, hosted by Dean Prof. Dr. Gökhan Silahtaroğlu.
• İstanbul Aydın ÜniversitesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL signed cooperation protocol with Istanbul Aydın University to contribute to capital markets development. Visit with Rector Prof. Dr. Yadigar İzmirli, attended by GM Serkan Karabacak.
• İbn Haldun ÜniversitesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL and Ibn Haldun University signed cooperation protocol to contribute to capital markets development. Visit with Rector Prof. Dr. Atilla Arkan, attended by GM Serkan Karabacak.
• Isparta Süleyman Demirel ÜniversitesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL signed cooperation protocol with Isparta Süleyman Demirel University to contribute to capital markets development. Visit with Rector Prof. Dr. İlker Hüseyin Çarıkçı, attended by GM Serkan Karabacak.
• Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Uygulamalı Bilimler FakültesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL signed cooperation protocol with Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Applied Sciences to contribute to capital markets development. Visit with Dean Prof. Dr. Ali Rıza Gökbunar, attended by GM Serkan Karabacak.
• Samsun ÜniversitesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL signed cooperation protocol with Samsun University to contribute to capital markets development. Visit with Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaynak, attended by GM Serkan Karabacak.
• İstanbul Tahkim Merkezi (ISTAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL and Istanbul Arbitration Center (ISTAC) signed a cooperation protocol. Collaboration includes co-organization of events such as the 'Sermaye Piyasasına Hakim Olan İlkeler' symposium.
• Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart ÜniversitesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed in university partnerships section of SPL website.
• Yıldız Teknik ÜniversitesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL and Yıldız Technical University signed a cooperation protocol. Listed in the announcements section.
• Sivas Cumhuriyet ÜniversitesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL and Sivas Cumhuriyet University signed a cooperation protocol. Listed in the announcements section.
• Yeditepe ÜniversitesiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL conducted an online event with Yeditepe University International Finance Department students covering licensing, exams, registry, and training activities.
• Yatırımcı İlişkileri Derneği (TÜYİD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL co-coordinated with TÜYID (Investor Relations Association of Turkey) for the January 2023 'Yatırımcı İlişkileri Çalıştayı' (Investor Relations Workshop) held under SPK patronage.
• Türkiye Kurumsal Yatırımcı Yöneticileri Derneği (TKYD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPL participated as a panelist in the 3rd Portfolio Management Summit organized under TKYD's patronage. GM Serkan Karabacak spoke at the Portfolio Management Sector Partners panel.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), India: NISM is a public trust established by SEBI (India's securities regulator) to capacity-build the Indian securities markets — including certification examinations, professional registration, and ongoing training. It mirrors SPL's mandate of regulator-mandated certification, registry, and continuing professional education for capital markets participants.
• Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), UK: CISI is a UK-based chartered body that awards professional credentials and administers regulatory examinations (e.g., the FCA-aligned qualifications) for capital markets and wealth professionals. The combination of regulated exams, chartered credentials, CPD, and a global certified-member base positions it as a direct functional analog to SPL within a developed market context.
• Appraisal Institute, USA: Appraisal Institute awards the MAI, SRA, and AI-GRS credentials and provides continuing education for US real estate appraisers. SPL's Gayrimenkul (Real Estate) and Konut (Housing) appraisal licenses address an analogous function — credentialing real estate valuation professionals — making the Appraisal Institute a direct functional peer for that license category.
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), UK: RICS is the global professional body accrediting real estate and valuation professionals, including the MRICS/FRICS designations and ongoing CPD. Comparable to SPL's appraisal-related license types (Real Estate and Housing) and its mandate to maintain a public registry of qualified valuers.
• Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI Institute): HKSI Institute is the statutory body responsible for licensing examinations and continuing education of securities and investment professionals in Hong Kong — the same functional role SPL plays for Turkey. Both bodies administer regulated licensing exams, manage licensee registries, deliver required CPD, and operate under a designated market regulator (SFC in HK; SPK in Turkey).
• Securities Institute of South Africa (SISA): SISA is the South African professional body delivering capital markets and investment-related regulatory examinations under FSCA oversight. Its combination of regulator-aligned exams, member registry, and ongoing CPD mirrors SPL's full service model within a similarly structured emerging-market regulatory environment.

Broad incumbents

• CFA Institute: CFA Institute administers the globally recognized CFA Program and CIPM credentials for investment professionals and maintains the global membership registry. It is much broader in scope than SPL but shares the credentialing, examination delivery, and continuing-education business model and is a logical comparison point for SPL's Level/credit/corporate license stack.
• FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), USA: FINRA operates the licensing examinations (Series 6/7/63 etc.) for US broker-dealer professionals and administers the CRD public registry system. Although FINRA is regulator-led rather than educator-led, its exam-administration and registrant-registry functions map directly to SPL's LSTS registry and electronic exam center operations in Turkey.

Others

• Türkiye Sermaye Piyasaları Birliği (TSPB): TSPB is the industry association representing Turkey's capital market institutions and is a listed partner of SPL, co-hosting competitions and events. It is not a direct competitor but an adjacent ecosystem counterpart for advocacy and industry coordination that SPL personnel operate alongside.
• Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK), Turkey: MKK operates the central securities depository and e-General Meeting platform in Turkey and is SPL's operational partner for e-Genel Kurul training certification and data exchange. It complements SPL's license/registry function with settlement/issuer-services infrastructure within the same Turkish capital markets value chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SPLisanslama
• Facebookfacebook.com/SPLisanslama

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Capital Markets Licensing Registry and Training Agency