CFA Exam Fees 2026 — Dates & Registration
RBei Classes, an FRM & CFA coaching institute, summarises the CFA exam fees and dates for 2026. CFA Institute charges from USD 1,140 per exam, with all three levels totalling USD 3,520–4,600 (early to standard). The one-time enrollment fee is now removed, and exams run in February, May, August and November.
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How much are the CFA exam fees in 2026?
CFA Institute charges from USD 1,140 per exam in 2026. Registering all three levels at the early deadline totals USD 3,520; registering all three at the standard deadline costs up to USD 4,600. There is no longer a separate one-time enrollment fee.
All CFA exam fees are billed in US dollars by CFA Institute and do not include local taxes, which are added at checkout where applicable. The table below shows the headline cost picture for the full CFA Program.
| Fee component (2026) | Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One-time enrollment fee | USD 0 | Eliminated for exams from February 2026 onward |
| Exam registration (per exam, from) | From USD 1,140 | CFA Institute's published entry price |
| All three levels — early registration | USD 3,520 | Register every level at the early deadline |
| All three levels — standard registration | USD 4,600 | Register every level at the standard deadline |
| Rescheduling fee | USD 250 | If you reschedule within your exam window |
Source: CFA Institute (cfainstitute.org). Fees are correct starting with the 2026 exams. Confirm the exact figure for your chosen window in CFA Institute's interactive Dates & Fees tool.
What is the CFA exam fee by level (early-bird vs standard)?
Early registration is cheaper: from USD 1,140 per exam for Levels I and II and USD 1,240 for Level III. Standard registration is higher — USD 1,490 for Levels I and II and USD 1,590 for Level III. Level III is priced USD 100 above Levels I and II.
| CFA level | Early registration (USD) | Standard registration (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | 1,140 | 1,490 |
| Level II | 1,140 | 1,490 |
| Level III | 1,240 | 1,590 |
| One-time enrollment fee | 0 | 0 |
| All three levels | 3,520 | 4,570 |
Source: CFA Institute. Registering early instead of standard saves roughly USD 350 per level (about USD 1,050 across the charter). CFA Institute publishes the full-program range as USD 3,520–4,600; the per-level figures sum to USD 4,570 at standard, so confirm the exact amount for your window in CFA Institute's interactive Dates & Fees tool.
Is there still a CFA one-time enrollment fee?
No. CFA Institute eliminated the one-time enrollment fee for exams scheduled from February 2026 onward. New Level I candidates now pay only the per-level registration fee — there is no separate enrollment charge.
How much does the CFA exam cost in INR (for India)?
CFA Institute bills all fees in US dollars, so the rupee cost moves with the exchange rate on your payment date. As an illustration at about ₹85 per US dollar, early registration is roughly ₹96,900 per level and standard about ₹1,26,650 — before any applicable GST.
| CFA level | Early (USD) | Early (₹, approx) | Standard (USD) | Standard (₹, approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I & II | 1,140 | ₹96,900 | 1,490 | ₹1,26,650 |
| Level III | 1,240 | ₹1,05,400 | 1,590 | ₹1,35,150 |
INR figures are illustrative only, at an assumed ₹85/USD. The USD amounts (source: CFA Institute) are authoritative; the rupee equivalent varies with the exchange rate, and Indian candidates may pay applicable GST added at checkout. Coaching is a separate cost — RBei Classes offers best CFA coaching in India. For curriculum, see the CFA syllabus; for the full overview, the complete guide to the CFA course.
How can I reduce my CFA exam fees?
Two levers cut the cost most. First, register at the early deadline rather than standard to save about USD 350 per level. Second, apply for a CFA Institute scholarship: the Access Scholarship lowers the exam fee to USD 400, and the Student and Professor scholarships lower it to USD 600.
Register early
Early registration is the simplest saving — roughly USD 350 cheaper per level than standard, or about USD 1,050 across all three CFA levels. Booking early also gives wider test-centre availability.
Apply for a CFA scholarship
For awards from 4 March 2026, CFA Institute's need-based Access Scholarship reduces the registration fee to USD 400, while the Student and Professor scholarships reduce it to USD 600 (each including a Practice Pack). Apply on cfainstitute.org; you must not already be registered for that exam.
| CFA Institute scholarship | Reduced exam fee | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Access Scholarship | USD 400 | Need-based; widely available |
| Student Scholarship | USD 600 | Students at affiliated universities |
| Professor Scholarship | USD 600 | Eligible university professors |
Source: CFA Institute. Amounts apply to scholarships awarded from 4 March 2026 and include the Practice Pack. CFA Institute also runs Women's and Regulator scholarship programmes — see cfainstitute.org for current eligibility and application windows.
When are the CFA exam dates 2026?
CFA Institute holds exams four times a year — February, May, August and November — at 400+ locations worldwide. Level I is offered in all four windows, Level II in May, August and November, and Level III in February and August.
| 2026 window | Level I | Level II | Level III |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | Yes | — | Yes |
| May | Yes | Yes | — |
| August | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| November | Yes | Yes | — |
Source: CFA Institute. As of 16 June 2026, the February and May 2026 sittings are complete and August 2026 registration has closed. November 2026 (Level I and Level II) is the remaining 2026 window open for registration; Level III's next sitting is February 2027. Confirm exact exam dates in CFA Institute's interactive Dates & Fees tool.
How many times can I sit the CFA exam in a year?
CFA Institute allows a maximum of two attempts per calendar year. You cannot sit in consecutive windows or in two windows within six months of each other.
What are the CFA registration deadlines, and how do I register?
Each CFA exam window has an early registration deadline and a higher-priced standard deadline, plus scheduling and accommodation deadlines. All windows open at 9:00 AM ET and all deadlines close at 11:59 PM ET. Register at cfainstitute.org.
| Deadline (per window) | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Early registration deadline | Lowest fee (from USD 1,140) |
| Standard registration deadline | Higher fee; final date to register |
| Scheduling / rescheduling deadline | Booking or changing your Prometric slot (USD 250 to reschedule) |
| Disability accommodations deadline | Requesting approved accommodations |
Source: CFA Institute. Each window's exact early and standard deadline dates are published in CFA Institute's interactive Dates & Fees tool — verify them there before you commit.
Step-by-step CFA registration
- Create your CFA Institute account at cfainstitute.org and verify your identity with a valid international travel passport.
- Confirm eligibility — a bachelor's degree, 2nd-year enrolment, or the required work experience.
- Choose your level and exam window (February, May, August or November), leaving enough preparation time before the window.
- Pay the registration fee in USD (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Alipay, or Klarna for US candidates; offline invoice also available).
- Self-schedule your appointment with Prometric before the scheduling deadline, then prepare with the official curriculum and your chosen coaching.
Do I choose a pathway for CFA Level III?
Yes. For Level III, CFA Institute requires candidates to select one specialized pathway at registration — Private Wealth, Private Markets or Portfolio Management. The pathway cannot be changed once registration is completed, so choose it carefully.
What are CFA pass rates — and why does your exam window matter?
Per CFA Institute's published data, the 10-year average pass rates are about 41% for Level I, 45% for Level II and 51% for Level III. CFA Institute also reports that first-time candidates pass at far higher rates than candidates who defer — so your fee buys the most value when you sit on schedule.
| CFA level | 10-year average pass rate | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | ~41% | Broadest, most-sat exam; lowest pass rate |
| Level II | ~45% | Applied knowledge; pass rates often spike in May windows |
| Level III | ~51% | Most experienced cohort; highest pass rate |
CFA Institute's results announcements show the gap clearly. In the November 2025 Level I sitting, first-time candidates passed at 49% versus 29% for those who had deferred at least once. For the February 2025 Level III exam, first-time testers passed at 56% versus 30% for deferred candidates. As CFA Institute puts it, staying on schedule is one of the strongest predictors of exam success — a direct reason to register early, lock a window, and avoid the USD 250 reschedule trap.
Source: CFA Institute published pass-rate data and exam-results announcements. Pass rates vary by window; figures above are rounded 10-year averages.
CFA cost & timeline scenarios (worked examples)
How much you actually pay depends on when you register and whether you win a scholarship. The three illustrative scenarios below cover the cheapest, the standard, and the scholarship route — exam fees only, paid to CFA Institute, assuming a first-time pass at each level.
| Scenario | Level I | Level II | Level III | Total exam fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A — All early registration | 1,140 | 1,140 | 1,240 | USD 3,520 |
| B — All standard registration | 1,490 | 1,490 | 1,590 | USD 4,570 |
| C — Access Scholarship on L1, then early | 400 | 1,140 | 1,240 | USD 2,780 |
Illustrative only — exam registration fees paid to CFA Institute; excludes any coaching, an approved calculator, study materials and local taxes/GST. Timeline note: because CFA Institute caps you at two sittings a year (never consecutive or within six months), the fastest realistic route from Level I to charter is roughly two to three years of disciplined, on-schedule preparation.
What is not included in the CFA exam fee?
The registration fee includes the official curriculum and learning materials. Budget separately for a CFA Institute-approved calculator (Texas Instruments BA II Plus / BA II Plus Professional, or HP 12C models), any third-party coaching, and the USD 250 fee if you reschedule within your window.
Key Takeaways
- CFA exam fees in 2026 start from USD 1,140 per exam; all three levels total USD 3,520–4,600 (early to standard) — source CFA Institute.
- The one-time enrollment fee is gone for exams from February 2026 onward.
- Early registration is cheaper than standard, and a scholarship can cut the fee to USD 400 (Access) or USD 600 (Student/Professor).
- Exams run in February, May, August and November; Level I all four, Level II three, Level III twice — and Level III needs a pathway chosen at registration.
- CFA Institute pass rates average ~41% / ~45% / ~51% across Levels I–III, with first-time candidates passing far above deferred candidates.
- You may sit a maximum of twice per year; rescheduling within a window costs USD 250. Exam fees are paid to CFA Institute; coaching with RBei Classes is separate.
CFA Exam Fees & Registration — FAQs
How much do the CFA exams cost in 2026?
CFA Institute charges from USD 1,140 per exam in 2026. Registering all three levels at the early deadline totals USD 3,520; at the standard deadline it costs up to USD 4,600. There is no separate one-time enrollment fee.
Is there still a CFA one-time enrollment fee in 2026?
No. CFA Institute eliminated the one-time enrollment fee for exams scheduled from February 2026 onward. New candidates pay only the per-level exam registration fee.
What is the difference between early-bird and standard CFA fees?
Early registration is cheaper — from USD 1,140 per exam for Levels I and II and USD 1,240 for Level III. Standard registration is higher: USD 1,490 for Levels I and II and USD 1,590 for Level III. Registering early saves roughly USD 350 per level.
Are CFA exam fees the same for all three levels?
No. Per CFA Institute, Level III is priced USD 100 higher than Levels I and II in both the early and standard windows.
How much does the CFA exam cost in Indian rupees (INR)?
CFA Institute bills all fees in US dollars, so the rupee cost depends on the exchange rate when you pay. As an illustration at about ₹85 to the US dollar, early registration is roughly ₹96,900 per level and standard about ₹1,26,650; Indian candidates may also pay applicable GST at checkout.
Can I get a CFA scholarship to reduce the fee?
Yes. For awards from 4 March 2026, CFA Institute's need-based Access Scholarship reduces the exam fee to USD 400, and the Student and Professor scholarships reduce it to USD 600, each including a Practice Pack. Apply on cfainstitute.org.
When are the CFA exam dates in 2026?
CFA Institute holds exams four times a year: February, May, August and November. Level I is offered in all four windows, Level II in May, August and November, and Level III in February and August.
How many times can I sit the CFA exam in one year?
A maximum of two attempts per calendar year, and you cannot sit in consecutive windows or in windows within six months of each other.
What is the CFA exam rescheduling fee?
CFA Institute charges a USD 250 rescheduling fee if you change your exam appointment within your assigned exam window.
What are the CFA pass rates?
Per CFA Institute's published data, the 10-year average pass rates are about 41% for Level I, 45% for Level II and 51% for Level III. CFA Institute reports first-time candidates pass at materially higher rates than candidates who defer.
How do I register for the CFA exam?
Register at cfainstitute.org: create an account, verify your identity with a valid international passport, confirm eligibility, choose your level and window, pay the registration fee, then self-schedule with Prometric.
Do I have to choose a pathway when registering for CFA Level III?
Yes. For Level III, CFA Institute requires candidates to select one specialized pathway at registration — Private Wealth, Private Markets or Portfolio Management. The pathway cannot be changed after registration is completed.
Is CFA coaching fee separate from the CFA exam fee?
Yes. Exam registration fees are paid to CFA Institute; coaching is a separate, optional cost. RBei Classes offers CFA Level 1, 2 and 3 coaching in India — see the CFA coaching page for current coaching fees.