FOREX Certified CTA's are hard to come by

Thats right, most FCM's (Futures Commission Merchants) who work with IB (Introductory Brokers), rarely require them to register or be certified.

The NFA (National Futures Association) is the federal body, who has taken the responsibility to keep a registry of all CTA's (Commodity Trading Advisors) who had passed the required examinations. By registering, an individual subjects themselves to the scrutiny and regulations imposed by that body.

A person who is serious about becoming a professional trading advisor would register, only to show potential (or even existing) clients, that they are trustworthy and are looking for a long-term commitment.

Unfortunately, not many merchants require that their IB's or CTA's be registered.
The Reason: The Law doesn't require it.

That's right; if you are in control of funds that you actively trade, and collect fees for these trades, then you are a money manager. The law states, that you are able to manage accounts for people, actively trade those accounts, as long as you don't exceed 15 separate accounts.

So as long as you have under 15 clients that you trade accounts for, then your good to go.

This is why it is difficult to find certified individuals in the FOREX market. The rules around this market, as well as other markets, are imposed by the government on a need-to-have basis.

At the moment, I don't think that people are loosing too much money in the FOREX market to raise too much concern. However, I predict that in the future, when losses in the FX market are so high, mostly due to incompetent traders - then you'll see the government begin to sanction how FCM's work with their partners.

Till then, I recommend to go with, and only with, a certified CTA/IB.