CFA exam registration is not only about enrolling in the list of candidates and paying for the exam. It is also strongly linked with the CFA Program entrance requirements, scholarships available to many or the responsibility you accept as a candidate when you register for your exam.

Additionally, starting in 2021, it is associated with the necessity to self-schedule the exam.

Level 1 CFA Exam Registration
Step by Step

1.
CFA INSTITUTE ACCOUNT CREATION

To register for your level 1 CFA exam, you first need to create an account at the CFA Institute website. Usually, it’s done just before actual registration for the exam. However, if you’re eligible and plan to apply for Access Scholarship or Women’s Scholarship, you will need to register at the CFA Institute website much earlier to be able to submit your scholarship application.

2.
CFA EXAM FEE PAYMENT

The next step of your registration involves fee payment. If you are awarded a scholarship, the payment will be substantially reduced.

If you are ineligible for a scholarship, you’ll have to pay relevant fees to register for the exam you want to sit. Your CFA exam cost will depend on when exactly you decide to register. There are 2 registration fee deadlines. The first one is for early birds and it amounts to USD 700. The second is called standard and it is as much as USD 1000.

Level 1 CFA Exam
Registration Fees & Deadlines in 2022

* The Nov 2021 CFA exam registration closes earlier than expected, i.e. on 20 July instead of 10 Aug. Candidates who sat for the May exam and candidates who have been granted a deferral to the November exam will be able to register for the November exam after the 20 July deadline. If you qualify for this later deadline, further information will be sent to you by email in early July.

NEWCOMERS ONLY: $450 one-time program enrollment fee

Additionally, when you register for your first level 1 CFA exam ever, you have to pay a one-time enrollment fee of USD 450 at registration. The amount is the same regardless of the registration deadline or the exam you choose. As a rule, the enrollment fee is waived if you're awarded a CFA Institute scholarship.

CFA Exam Fees Summed Up

* Limited fee refund availability is regulated by the CFA Program Refund Policy.

The moment you pay for your first level 1 CFA exam, you enter the CFA Program. It means you accept responsibilities that go hand in hand with your candidacy. During your registration, you are asked to agree to the provisions of Candidate Agreement. It specifies for example possible exam violations and relevant testing policies but it also tells you when your exam can be deferred. You must also submit your Professional Conduct Statement (disclosing relevant reprimands, investigations, litigations, etc.) upon your first CFA exam registration and then annually and before every next exam registration.

3.
SCHEDULING YOUR CFA EXAM

After you register for your CFA exam and pay the relevant fees, you need to self-schedule you CFA exam appointment within your chosen exam window. The registration for all 2021 CFA exams is now closed and scheduling is open for the November window just until 23 August. However, some 2022 level 1 CFA exam windows are already available:

• FEBRUARY 2022 level 1 exam window: Feb 15-21, register from 13 May to 26 Oct 2021
• MAY 2022 level 1 exam window: May 17-23, register from 20 July 2021 to 1 Feb 2022

Scheduling is obligatory and free of charge. When you schedule your CFA exam – you choose when (date and time) and where you want to take your level 1 exam. Mind, however, that for some regions and test centers the exam window may be shorter that the official window. So, be sure to get familiar with the test center info when choosing your exam day. Here's the list of all CFA exam test center locations.

You will be able to view all available dates, times, and test center options only when you start your scheduling process, which takes place via a didecated platform called ProScheduler. Importantly, when using the scheduling tool – search by desired city, not just by country. Also, it's best to select the whole exam window or some other wide date range. If you limit your preferred date range too much, you may be unable to choose your optimal CFA exam date and location.

Note that the scheduling period is longer than the registration period:

• NOVEMBER 2021: schedule your exam before 23 August 2021
• FEBRUARY 2022: schedule your exam before 17 November 2021
• MAY 2022: schedule your exam before 16 February 2022

You are responsible for scheduling your exam appointment by the scheduling deadline set for your exam window. If you fail to schedule your exam appointment (or fail to sit for the exam), your exam fees are non-refundable, non-deferrable, and non-transferable!

The venue of your CFA exam will be either at Prometric or at British Council. Appointments are first-come, first-served so it's not a good idea to delay scheduling. It's probably best to schedule your exam appointment asap and re-schedule it later if need be.

4.
RE-SCHEDULING YOUR CFA EXAM?

If you schedule your exam but find either the exam date or the test center not optimal, you can reschedule your exam after an additional payment of USD 25 for each re-appointment. The rescheduling option is for your chosen exam window and depends on seating availability. The rescheduling deadlines for the available level 1 exams are as follows:

• NOVEMBER 2021: reschedule your exam before 16 October 2021 (level 2: 26 Oct | level 3: 23 Oct)
• FEBRUARY 2022: reschedule your exam before 15 January 2022 (level 2: 22 Jan)
• MAY 2022: reschedule your exam before 16 April 2022 (level 3: 23 Apr)

5.
GETTING STARTED with FREE
STUDY PLAN

The decision about entering the CFA Program can be a long-lasting process. You may know you’d like to take your CFA exam one day but you may need some time before you actually register for an exam. Besides, life often verifies our hopes and postpones our plans.

But even if you do not register for the nearest CFA exam, it’s worth registering at Soleadea the moment you set the CFA exam as your future goal. Why? Because a decision about CFA Program enrollment is a serious one and you could surely use some help while getting there (and we support our users by keeping them updated and informed about the CFA exam).

At Soleadea, registration is free and you get your personalized study plan right away. Inside, you’ll find lots of study tools and materials (some are free and some are premium). You’ll get to know how much you should study per week and get some idea of how your study routine should look like. Outside the exam study planner, you’ll also find many valuable contents concerning the CFA designation and CFA exam and you’ll be guided towards the best way to prepare for your exam.

Level 2 CFA Exam Registration

The 2021 level 2 CFA exam registration is now closed. If you're a level 2 candidate and want to take your exam in 2022, you can do it either in February or August. Below are the relevant registration fees and deadlines:

Level 2 CFA Exam
Registration Fees & Deadlines in 2022

* The Nov 2021 CFA exam registration closes earlier than expected, i.e. on 20 July instead of 10 Aug. Candidates who sat for the May exam and candidates who have been granted a deferral to the November exam will be able to register for the November exam after the 20 July deadline. If you qualify for this later deadline, further information will be sent to you by email in early July.

Basically, enrolling in your level 2 CFA exam does not differ much from your level 1 registration. If – however – you have your doubts, the list below shows how to register for the level 2 exam (or another level 1 exam if you need to retake it):

1. You already have your CFA Institute account.
2. If you’re eligible for a scholarship – just apply for it before the deadline and then wait for the official decision before you register and pay for your exam [LEARN MORE].
3. If you’re ineligible for a scholarship – relevant registration fees and deadlines apply (there is no enrollment fee for you, though).
4. After you register, you need to self-schedule your exam date within your chosen exam window. The scheduling deadlines are the same as for the corresponding level 1 exams and the rescheduling deadlines are usually a bit longer for level 2 and level 3 than for level 1.
5. Candidate Agreement needs to be accepted and Professional Conduct Statement submitted – no change here.
6. Also, no changes as far as well-planned prep goes: create a study plan that adapts to your needs but stays demanding!