CFA® Exam Scheduling Deadline

CFA exam / SCHEDULING

CFA Exam Scheduling Deadline: Why It Matters

After you register for your level 1 CFA exam, your next move is to schedule your CFA exam date. This step is mandatory. You must self-schedule your CFA exam by using the ProScheduler tool.

The CFA exam calendar clearly defines a separate CFA exam scheduling deadline for each exam window:

If you miss the scheduling deadline set for your CFA exam window, you lose both your chance to sit the exam and your registration fee.

Even if you've paid your fee, you're not officially signed up to take the exam until you book your date and location.

In major cities, test centers fill up fast.

That’s why we recommend you schedule your CFA exam as soon as possible after your payment is processed. Even though the CFA exam scheduling window is quite long.

Your CFA Exam Calendar: Know the Key Dates

The CFA exam calendar is packed with deadlines. For each of the 4 level 1 CFA exam windows — February, May, August, and November — there are three key periods:

• Registration window: Timeframe to register and pay
• Scheduling window: Timeframe to self-book your exam date
• Rescheduling window: Optional timeframe to move your exam date within the same window

Here are the early registration, registration, scheduling, and rescheduling deadlines for level 1 CFA exams:

CFA Exam Scheduling: What to Do After Registration

Once you’ve registered for your exam and paid your CFA exam fees (USD 1140 early / USD 1490 standard for level 1 in 2026), you can go to ProScheduler — the platform used to select your exam center and date.

Here's how you schedule your CFA exam step by step:

1. Log in to your CFA Institute account.
2. Open ProScheduler (you’ll be redirected after payment is processed).
3. Search for your preferred test center and date within your chosen exam window.
4. Confirm your appointment by checking if you can find a confirmation email in your inbox.

This last step of CFA exam scheduling is crucial! If you don’t receive a confirmation email, your booking may not be complete, which needs to be attended to.

Can You Change Your CFA Exam Date?

Yes, but only within your registered exam window. The rescheduling option allows you to change your exam date or test center. You’ll need to pay a USD 250 fee for each change.

If rescheduling within the same exam window is not enough and you need to move your exam to another window, you might qualify for a paid CFA exam deferral (USD 449, available once per registration) or an emergency deferral (USD 100 processing fee, with documentation).

Avoid These Common CFA Exam Scheduling Pitfalls

Scheduling your CFA exam might sound easy, but many candidates still make mistakes. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them:

Mistake 1: Registering but not scheduling.

• Fix: Put the scheduling deadline in your calendar and – better than that – schedule as fast as possible after registering for your CFA exam.

Mistake 2: Waiting too long to book.

• Fix: Test centers fill up quickly, especially in large cities. Schedule early to get your preferred location and time.

Mistake 3: Assuming scheduling is automatic.

• Fix: It’s not! Scheduling requires manual action in your CFA Institute account.

The sooner you schedule, the more options you'll have. Don’t delay — your CFA exam date won’t pick itself! And you want to get the most value out of your CFA exam cost, don't you?




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PUBLISHED: July 23, 2025






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