How to register for the CFA exam
Registration is done in two places: CFA Institute, where you create your account and pay, and Prometric, where you book your appointment. The order matters, because your fee only covers one exam window, and early registration closes months before it.
Step by step
Register on cfainstitute.org and complete your candidate profile. You need to confirm which eligibility route you are using: a degree, a final-year degree, or 4,000 hours of work and/or study.
Check the exam calendar for the next window that offers your level. Early registration is cheaper by $350 but closes four to six months ahead.
$1,140 early or $1,490 standard for Levels I and II, and $1,240 or $1,590 for Level III. There is no separate enrollment fee for 2026 onward.
You will be asked to sign the candidate conduct statement before you can schedule.
Use the scheduling tool on your candidate account to book a date and test center within your window. Do this by the scheduling deadline, about a week after final registration closes.
Bring a valid passport and an approved calculator to the test center.
When to start
Early registration saves $350 per exam, but it closes four to six months before the window, so you are committing before your studying has really started. Be sure of your window first: registrations are non-refundable, and from the February 2027 cycle paid deferrals are no longer offered.
Common questions
When does registration open?
Registration is open on CFA Institute’s schedule: it opens months before each window and closes at the early and final deadlines listed on our exam dates page. Check the official calendar for the exact dates.
Do I need to buy study materials first?
The CFA Institute curriculum comes with your registration. You can buy extra prep from a provider, but you do not need to before registering.
Can I get financial help with the fee?
Yes. CFA Institute offers an Access Scholarship that has reduced fees substantially for some candidates. Applications open once per cycle, so check the timing for your window.