This page provides a list of commonly asked questions. Included in the answers below are links to additional information. If you don't see the answer to your particular question, contact the appropriate office by email or telephone.

General Questions

• How can I get a copy of your publications?
• Do you have a glossary of industry terms?

• How do I register as a futures professional?
• Where can I find more information on the Series 3 License?
• Where can I find a list of firms registered with the CFTC and contact information for those firms?
• How can I find out about a person or firm I'm thinking about opening an account with?

Commitments of Traders

• Where can I find Commitments of Traders reports?
• When is the next release of the Commitments of Traders reports?
• I have downloaded some of the historical Commitments of Traders files but there are no column headings for my spreadsheet or database. Where can I find information on what these numbers mean?
• What is a reportable trader?

Customer Protection

• Can I find out if the CFTC is investigating a firm or individual?
• Where can I get help if I have a problem with my broker or account?

Exchanges & Products

• Where Can I Find a Complete List of All CFTC-Approved stock index futures contracts traded on foreign exchanges?
• Where can I find out the trading hours for exchanges and contracts?

Employment Opportunities

• How can I find out more information about employment opportunities at the CFTC?

Law & Regulation

• Where can I find the CFTC Rules?
• Where can I find the Commodity Exchange Act?

• How can I get a copy of your publications?
  
  You can obtain a copy of our publications either by calling the CFTC Office of Public Affairs at 202-418-5080, or by viewing them on our Web site under the Report & Publications section.

• Do you have a glossary of industry terms?

The CFTC has compiled a glossary of words used throughout the industry to assist you in understanding the terms.

• How do I register as a futures professional?
  
  The CFTC has delegated registration responsibilities to the National Futures Association (NFA). The NFA web site provides information about the registration process. NFA's Information Center can also be reached by telephone at (312) 781-1410. In addition, NFA's web site includes several related publications that may be of assistance.

• Where can I find more information on the Series 3 License?
  
  Information regarding the process of registering as a futures professional is available by contacting the National Futures Association (NFA) at 1-800-676-4NFA or by visiting the NFA web site, http://www.nfa.futures.org.

• Where can I find a list of firms registered with the CFTC and contact information for those firms?
  
  The National Futures Association compiles various firm directories that are available to the public. For information on how to order these directories and the associated cost, visit the NFA's directories web page or call NFA's Information Center at 1-800-621-3570.

• How can I find out about a person or firm I'm thinking about opening an account with?
  
  Our Broker Registration and Background Information page includes links to the Background Affiliation Status Information Center (BASIC), through which National Futures Association (NFA) makes available registration information and futures-related actions contributed by NFA, the CFTC and the U.S. futures exchanges. The page also includes links to CFTC publications on CFTC actions and sanctions against firms and individuals

• Where can I find Commitments of Traders reports?
  
  All current and historical Commitments of Traders reports are available from the Commitments of Traders page of the CFTC web site.

• When is the next release of the Commitments of Traders reports?
  
  The Commitments of Traders calendar provides the dates and times for each release.

• I have downloaded some of the historical Commitments of Traders files but there are no column headings for my spreadsheet or database.  Where can I find out what these numbers are?
  
  A description of all the fields is available in the "Explanatory Notes for New Format of Long COT Report".

• What is a reportable trader?
  
  The CFTC publishes a backgrounder titled "Commitments of Traders" which provides information on the report format and the terms used.

• Can I find out if the CFTC is investigating a firm or individual?
  
  Any inquiry or investigation by the CFTC is confidential. The fact that the Commission may investigate a firm or person generally will not be disclosed until a public proceeding is actually brought either before the Commission or in Federal court.

• Where can I get help if I have a problem with my broker or account?
  
  If you have a dispute arising out of your commodity futures or options account, first try to resolve the problem with your broker and his or her supervisor at the firm which employs or guarantees the broker. If that fails, commodity futures customers have several options for resolving disputes: (1) the CFTC Reparations Program, (2) NFA's Arbitration program; or (3) court litigation. In selecting a particular approach, you may want to consider the cost, length of time involved and whether or not assistance of an attorney is required.

• Where Can I Find a Complete List of All CFTC-Approved stock index futures contracts traded on foreign exchanges?
  
  The backgrounder report titled "Regulatory and and self-regulatory authorities that have received exemptions under CFTC RULE 30.10" provides a complete list.

• Where can I find out the trading hours for exchanges and contracts?
  
  You can contact the exchange on which the contract is traded to find out its trading hours. Links to the web sites of U.S. exchanges are located on our Related Links page.

• How can I find out more information about employment opportunities at the CFTC?
  
  For up-to-date information about employment opportunities at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, call the 24-hour job "hotline" at (202) 418-5009 or visit our employment opportunities web page.

• Where can I find the CFTC Rules?
  
  You can access the CFTC Rules, 17 C.F.R. Chapter 1, through the U.S. Government Printing Office web site.
  
  Alternatively, you can access the CFTC Rules through Cornell University's Legal Information Institute web site.

• Where can I find the Commodity Exchange Act?
  
  The Commodity Exchange Act is codified at 7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. To access it go to Cornell University's Legal Information Institute.