CFA Exam Dates 2026 (OUT); Know When is CFA Exam, Dates, Registration, Scheduling

The registration fee for the CFA programme exam is USD 1140 for early registration and USD 1490 for standard registration. The one-time enrollment fee used to be USD 350, but now has been scrapped. The CFA registration fee can be paid online through Credit cards, such as American Express, Diner’s Club, Discover, JCB,   MasterCard, UnionPay, or Visa or offline through wire transfer, ACH, check money order, or postal order. Receipt of payment of the fees will be emailed to the candidates.

Now, the CFA candidates residing in India can also pay the CFA fee through EMIs. CFA Institute has partnered with education loan provider Eduvanz to offer EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) option for candidates who are interested in registering for the CFA programme (interest rate to be applied). This EMI payment option can only be availed by applicants residing in India, using the “Pay by Invoice” option during the checkout process, and submitting the invoice along with the EMI payment method. The “Pay by invoice” option is available up to 40 days before the close of registration. However, availability of EMI payment is subject to approval and documentation requirements of Eduvanz.

No, the CFA application form can only be filled online on the official website CFA Institute. There is no option to submit the CFA form in offline mode. Candidates will have to create an account on CFA website once the registrations begin and fill the CFA registration form through that candidate account. Candidates must also note that no other website hosts the CFA application form other than the official website of CFA Institute. The CFA registration fee can be paid online through Credit cards, such as American Express, Diner’s Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, UnionPay, or Visa or offline through wire transfer, ACH, check money order, or postal order. Receipt of payment of the fees will be emailed to the candidates.

Candidates have to simply follow the instructions to pay the fee. Candidates must note that fee payment is mandatory for CFA form filling. Until the fee is paid successfully, the form will not be accepted. Thus, candidates must check the fee payment acknowledgement slip after making the payment.

No, candidates cannot change their pathway in the middle of the CFA registration process. If the candidate is taking the CFA Level 3 exam for the second time, then they have the option of changing their specialised pathway. The content for all the three pathways are available online for CFA preparation. 

Candidates who have appeared for the CFA Level 1 exam and have received their result can apply for the Level 2 CFA exam. Candidates should spend at least six to nine months to prepare for the CFA Level 2 exam using a structured CFA study plan. The CFA Level 2 exam for the November exam registration window is open and the last date to apply is August 5, 2025. 

The CFA exam is conducted at 400 locations globally. Candidates can follow the steps mentioned below to know how to choose the CFA test centre location according to their preference:

1. Register for the CFA exam
2. Schedule the exam appointment
3. View the test centre options along with available seating
4. Choose your preferred test centre location as per the planned CBT test centre locations
5. Once the location is confirmed, keep checking daily for new appointments that could be added.

Candidates should note the appointments must be scheduled by the deadline (typically 60 days before the start of the exam window). If the candidate does not see available appointments in their desired exam location, they can continue to check back through the scheduling function for availability to be added in the coming days. Appointments are based on a first-come, first-served basis.