CFA PROGRAM

ABOUT CFA

Achieve the highest distinction in the investment management profession – the CFA® designation.

The Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) credential is held by over 150,000 professionals around the world. The charter gives a strong understanding of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills.

The CFA Program is a self-study program divided into three levels of exams. Passing these exams is one step to becoming a CFA charterholder.

How to Earn the CFA Charter?

Enroll in the CFA® Program and register for an exam
Pass the Level I exam (June or December)
Pass the Level II exam (only June)
Pass the Level III exam (only June)
Have four years of professional work experience in the investment decision-making process
Join CFA Institute as a regular member

Enrollment Requirements

To become a CFA candidate, you must enroll in the CFA Program® before you can register for the Level I Exam.

CFA Program Entrance Requirements

Meet one of the following entrance requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree
I have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent program. Most CFA Program applicants have the education to enroll in graduate studies in the country where they earned their degree. If you’re not sure if your program is comparable, ask your college or university.

Final-Year Student
I am a student in the final year of my bachelor’s degree or equivalent program. I understand that I may register for the Level I Exam, but I must complete my degree program prior to registering for Level II.

Professional Experience
I have a combination of four years of full-time work experience and/or higher education. I understand that part-time work does NOT qualify me for this track, but that my full-time work does not need to be investment related.

Have an international travel passport

CFA Institute requires that every CFA Program candidate have a valid international travel passport to register and sit for the exam.

Be prepared to take the exams in English

The CFA Program exams are only offered in English.

Meet the professional conduct admission criteria

All candidates in the CFA Program must complete a Professional Conduct Statement form to attest that they are in compliance with this requirement.

IS CFA FOR YOU?

Achieve the highest distinction in the investment management profession—the CFA® designation

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Program helps you capitalize on your strengths, supercharging your education and work experience into a charter that will tell the world you have the skills necessary to compete and excel in today’s complex and evolving investment industry. The CFA charter is the gold standard for the investment industry. Charterholders enjoy a mark of distinction throughout the world.

The CFA Program provides the strongest foundation in advanced investment, analysis, and real-world portfolio management skills for a career advantage that you will use at all stages of your career. This globally recognized, graduate-level credential is held by over 150,000 professionals across 163 countries.

Top Five Global Charterholder Roles

Job Titles

Portfolio Manager
Research Analyst
Chief Level Executive
Consultant
Risk Manager

Practice Types

Equities
Fixed Income
Private Equity
Derivatives
Real Estate

BENEFITS

Invest in your career now to gain benefits for a lifetime.

Gold Standard
The CFA charter equips you not only to enter the profession, but also to excel at all stages of your career.

Strong Ethical Foundations
Gain confidence and clarity in navigating ethical issues.

Global Passport
Earn waivers from regulatory agencies, graduate programs, and more.

Unmatched Expertise
Our rigorous curriculum will equip you for complex investment decisions.

Prestigious Network
Connect with an exclusive group of outstanding investment professionals.

Career Resources
Gain access to career guides, thought leadership, and continuing education.

COSTS AND DATES

About Program Enrollment and Exam Registration Fees

The one-time program enrollment fee and the exam registration fee are payable in US dollars only, and the fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.

The exam registration fee covers the cost of:

The digital curriculum (contains the complete curriculum you need to study). You may purchase a print version of the curriculum (available for a non-refundable fee of USD 150, plus any fees associated with shipping)
Practice tests and mock exams

CFA® Program Payment Methods

CFA Institute accepts the following methods of payment:

Credit/Debit card: American Express, Diner’s Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, UnionPay, or Visa
Wire transfer, ACH, check, money order, or postal order. If you are not paying online with a credit card, you must use the "Print Invoice" option during the checkout process and submit the invoice along with one of the accepted payment methods.

All payments must be made in US dollars.

Your Invoice and/or Receipt
If you selected a method of payment other than a credit card, an invoice was mailed to you.

Program Enrollment Fee

A one-time program enrollment fee is required when you register for your first Level I CFA Program exam. You must also pay the exam registration fee (see below for deadlines).

Program enrollment fee: USD 450

Exam Registration Fees and Deadlines

All registration deadlines end at 11:59 pm ET.

SCHOLARSHIPS

CFA Institute offers scholarships as part of a commitment to promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence.

Below you may find a list of scholarships by a type. Choose the right one & apply.

Access Scholarships

The CFA Institute Access Scholarship Program is designed to make CFA Institute programs more available to individuals who may not be able to afford the full program fees.

Award Amount
Program enrollment fee is waived and exam registration is reduced to USD 250.

Application Window
The scholarship application is open 1 March—15 September, to be used for exams the following year.

Eligibility
Applicants must meet all CFA Program enrollment requirements.

How to Apply? Complete the application
Log in and complete the online application. After you submit your application, you cannot make changes. Get the application »

Student Scholarship

This scholarship is for students currently attending an Affiliated University.

Award Amount
Program enrollment fee is waived and exam registration fee is reduced to USD 350.

Application Deadline
1 February for June exam and 8 August for December exam.

Eligibility
Students currently attending an Affiliated University.

How to Apply? Complete the application
Login and complete the application form with your university's principal contact. Get the application »

University Allocation Criteria
Three student scholarships are granted to each Affiliated University per year. These scholarships are awarded to recipients chosen by the university principal contact and in accordance with Official Scholarships Rules. Find out more »

Women's Scholarship

This scholarship is available to women around the world who are interested in earning the CFA charter and who do not qualify for other CFA Institute scholarships. Women working in the investment management industry are encouraged to apply.

Award Amount
Program enrollment fee is waived and exam registration fee is reduced to USD 350.

Application Window
All Women's Scholarships for the December 2019 exams have been awarded. The application window for the June 2020 exam is now open. This window will close when all scholarships have been awarded. Note: This may occur before the application deadline of 1 February for the June exam.

Eligibility
For women who are interested in earning the CFA charter, do not qualify for other CFA Institute scholarships, and have not yet registered for their next exam.

How to Apply? Complete the application
Log in and complete the online application. Get the application »

Are you looking for other type of a scholarship? Check official scholarship website here »

CFA PREP COURSES

Having in mind the candidates sitting one of three levels of the renowned Chartered Financial Analyst® examination, CFA Society Poland has organised special preparatory CFA® courses. Expert knowledge, long-standing understanding of CFA® specifics and an attractive price. Take care of your professional prospects with CFA Society Poland!

The CFA® examination consists of three levels and is considered one of the most challenging and at the same time desirable qualifications in the world of finance. The programme is gaining in popularity among professionals, despite the fact that obtaining the title itself is not an easy process. CFA Society Poland, which acts as a supporter of higher financial standards as well as popularises education, is about to launch a series of meetings aiming to provide preparation for candidates before their examinations – both in June and December sessions.

Who is the target audience of the CFA® preparatory courses?

Anyone who signed up at cfainstitute.org for an upcoming exam on any level can participate in the courses. The courses have been designed so as to provide the scope of knowledge required on the Level I, Level II and Level III exams.

Why should I participate in the CFA® preparatory courses?

We have invited the best practitioners and lecturers with multi-year experience to make sure the courses meet candidate expectations. Thanks to them you will be able to deepen your understanding of the aspects included in the CFA® programme.

In addition:

You will be able to participate in study groups, which enable effective team learning in a space provided by the Society free of charge in a convenient location;
You are guaranteed to participate in a Mock Exam, which covers with 100 per cent accuracy the syllabus of the real exam organised by the CFA Institute.