CFA Program Registration Process, Requirements, Qualifications, and Fees

The CFA program is a global financial program conducted by the CFA Institute.  A peculiar fact about the program is that the registration process, fees, and conduction of examination are equal and fair to all its candidates across the globe.

So it doesn’t matter on which part of the little blue globe you reside on, there is only one way to pursue the CFA qualification, and here’s how it goes.

Before jumping on to all the important information, you should know that before you can pursue the CFA program, there are several requirements that you have to fulfill.

Furthermore, even if you are eligible for the CFA exams, you still need at least 4 years of work experience to get the CFA charter.

The basic eligibility criteria/requirement for taking on the CFA level 1 registration exam is to either have a bachelor’s degree, or 4000 hours of work experience.

An alternative criterion for taking the CFA level 1 registration exam is also having 4000 hours of education+work experience

Another important requirement for registering in the CFA program is the presence of a valid international passport.

CFA level 1 Registration Fees

After ensuring that you meet the CFA program requirements, all you need to do is prepare your documents and register through the official website of the CFA Institute.

The first-time enrollment fee for the CFA program is $450. After this, there are additional fees constraints on each of the CFA exam levels that you take.

In total there are 3 CFA exam levels. For each exam, the registration fees depend on the time you take to register for the exam. On average, there are 2 fees constraints namely, Early bird and Standard.

There is also an added fee if you reschedule or postpone your exams. For more detailed information on the CFA exam fees structure for the CFA program, 

If you have cleared all the eligibilities, and have a valid international passport, you can start registering for the CFA level 1 registration exam.

The registration process for the CFA level 1 registration exam.

The registration process for the CFA exam fees is quite simple.

You will need to first create an account on the CFA institute’s official website.

Once you are registered, you will need to upload all your qualification proofs, your international passport and move on to the payment window.

Now if you have a scholarship then your fees will be substantially reduced, otherwise, you will have to pay the displayed amount and submit your application for review.

The next step is to schedule your examination window.

For the CFA level 1 registration examination, there are 3 windows for giving the examination.

For the year 2022, the CFA level-1 examinations will be held in February, May, and August.

You need to register for the examinations at least 3 months in advance.

CFA Level 1 Fees

The CFA level 1 fees are an essential consideration for candidates planning to take the exam. The fees can vary depending on when you register, with early registration offering a discounted rate compared to standard registration. In addition to the exam fees, candidates must also account for the one-time enrollment fee, which is required when you first register for the CFA program. It's crucial to plan and budget for these expenses as the CFA level 1 fees represent a significant investment in your financial education and future career.

Here’s a comprehensive table depicting the CFA exam fees structure, the registration date, and exam window for the CFA level 1 registration examination in the year 2022.

As can be seen from the table, in case you have registered for the exam and want to reschedule the date, you have to pay a rescheduling fee of $250.

For more information on how to crack CFA level 1 exam in the first attempt, read here.

CFA Registration Fee

In essence, once you have registered for the examination, you have the option of scheduling and rescheduling the exam as per your convenience.

The CFA registration fee and examinations are designed in a way that they can be conveniently applied for.

Conclusion

However, they are extremely difficult and it takes a substantial investment to register for them.

Thus, if you are planning to pursue the program, you will have to dedicate both your mental and personal resources to it.