Web Analytics

CFA® Program

Since it was first introduced in 1963, the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, or CFA® charter, has become one of the most highly sought after professional credentials in the finance world due to its enormous benefits to holders. Earning the CFA Charter demonstrates a dedication to professionalism and mastery of key skills needed for career advancement in the financial industry.

The CFA Program is administered by the CFA institute and organized into three levels. Each subsequent level exam must be passed as part of the requirement to earning the coveted CFA Charter.

CFA Program Levels

CFA Level I

Level I

CFA Level I

The Level I curriculum sets the foundation but covers a lot of material - across ten topics and 70 learning modules.

Level I Study Packages
CFA Level II

Level II

CFA Level II

Level II expands on the fundamentals of Level I but goes deeper in terms of analysis and calculation.

Level II Study Packages
CFA Level III

Level III

CFA Level III

The Level III curriculum is much more heavy weighted to portfolio management and wealth planning.

Level III Study Packages

Enrollment Requirements

To enroll in the CFA Program and register for the Level I CFA exam, you must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
    • Complete a bachelor’s program or equivalent and received a university or college degree
  • Undergraduate Student
    • As long as the exam date is 23 months or fewer before the graduation month of the bachelor's degree or equivalent
    • Note, effective Nov 1, 2022, eligibility to enroll is extended by one year to include students with two years remaining in their undergraduate studies. For additional details, see the CFA Institute Media Release
  • Professional Work Experience
    • 4,000 hours of eligible work experience and/or higher education that was acquired over a minimum of three years, prior to the date of registering for the Level I exam. The work experience and education hours cannot overlap.
  • International Travel Passport (Required)

Earning The Charter

Earning the CFA Charter

Pass the CFA Exams

  • Passing all three exams is one of the requirements for earning the Charter Financial Analyst designation

Achieve Work Experience Requirements

At least 4,000 hours of experience are required, completed in a minimum of 36 months.

The work experience requirements can be completed before, during or after participation in the CFA program. Professional work experience does not need to be investment related. However, it must involve the application of higher-level judgement & business skills.

Apply for CFA Institute Membership

  • Apply to become a regular member of CFA Institute
Submit Letters of Reference

When you apply for membership with the CFA Institute, you will be required to submit 2 - 3 professional references, each of which will be asked to remark on your job experience & professional conduct.

  • Two (2) references are required, if one of the references is an active regular member of the corresponding local society
  • Three (3) references are required if none of them is an active local society member
Meet the Professional Conduct Admission Criteria

Candidates must attest that they are in compliance with the Professional Conduct Statement to be eligible.

Become a Charterholder

Once you've passed all three levels of the CFA exam, fulfilled your work requirements, and submitted two to three letters of reference, and been approved as a member with the CFA Institute, you will have earned the CFA charter.

CFA Program Exam Dates

The following are key dates for the Level I, II & III CFA exam. Consult the CFA Institute for the latest updates.

Level I Exam Dates

Feb 2023 - Level I

  • Registration & Scheduling Opens
    10 May 2022
  • Early Registration Deadline
    09 Aug 2022
  • Deadline to Register with Invoice Payment Option
    17 Sep 2022
  • Registration Closes
    08 Nov 2022
  • Scheduling Deadline
    16 Nov 2022
  • Rescheduling Deadline
    13 Jan 2023
  • CFA Exam Dates
    14 - 20 Feb 2023

May 2023 - Level I

  • Registration & Scheduling Opens
    09 Aug 2022
  • Early Registration Deadline
    09 Nov 2022
  • Deadline to Register with Invoice Payment Option
    17 Dec 2022
  • Registration Closes
    31 Jan 2023
  • Scheduling Deadline
    15 Feb 2023
  • Rescheduling Deadline
    14 Apr 2023
  • CFA Exam Dates
    16 - 22 May 2023

Aug 2023 - Level I

  • Registration & Scheduling Opens
    14 Nov 2022
  • Early Registration Deadline
    1 Feb 2023
  • Deadline to Register with Invoice Payment Option
    25 Mar 2023
  • Registration Closes
    9 May 2023
  • Scheduling Deadline
    24 May 2023
  • Rescheduling Deadline
    21 Jul 2023
  • CFA Exam Dates
    22 - 28 Aug 2023

Nov 2023 - Level I

  • Registration & Scheduling Opens
    31 Jan 2023
  • Early Registration Deadline
    10 May 2023
  • Deadline to Register with Invoice Payment Option
    24 Jun 2023
  • Registration Closes
    08 Aug 2023
  • Scheduling Deadline
    16 Aug 2023
  • Rescheduling Deadline
    13 Oct 2023
  • CFA Exam Dates
    11 - 17 Nov 2023
Level I

Level II Exam Dates

May 2023 - Level II

  • Registration & Scheduling Opens
    09 Aug 2022
  • Early Registration Deadline
    09 Nov 2022
  • Deadline to Register with Invoice Payment Option
    17 Dec 2022
  • Registration Closes
    31 Jan 2023
  • Scheduling Deadline
    15 Feb 2023
  • Rescheduling Deadline
    21 Apr 2023
  • CFA Exam Dates
    23 - 27 May 2023

Aug 2023 - Level II

  • Registration & Scheduling Opens
    14 Nov 2022
  • Early Registration Deadline
    01 Feb 2023
  • Deadline to Register with Invoice Payment Option
    25 Mar 2023
  • Registration Closes
    09 May 2023
  • Scheduling Deadline
    24 May 2023
  • Rescheduling Deadline
    28 Jul 2023
  • CFA Exam Dates
    29 Aug - 02 Sept 2023

Nov 2023 - Level II

  • Registration & Scheduling Opens
    31 Jan 2023
  • Early Registration Deadline
    10 May 2023
  • Deadline to Register with Invoice Payment Option
    24 Jun 2023
  • Registration Closes
    08 Aug 2023
  • Scheduling Deadline
    16 Aug 2023
  • Rescheduling Deadline
    20 Oct 2023
  • CFA Exam Dates
    18 - 22 Nov 2023
Level II

Level III Exam Dates

Feb 2023 - Level III

  • Registration & Scheduling Opens
    10 May 2022
  • Early Registration Deadline
    09 Aug 2022
  • Deadline to Register with Invoice Payment Option
    17 Sep 2022
  • Registration Closes
    08 Nov 2022
  • Scheduling Deadline
    16 Nov 2022
  • Rescheduling Deadline
    20 Jan 2023
  • CFA Exam Dates
    21 - 23 Feb 2023

Aug 2023 - Level III

  • Registration & Scheduling Opens
    14 Nov 2022
  • Early Registration Deadline
    01 Feb 2023
  • Deadline to Register with Invoice Payment Option
    25 Mar 2023
  • Registration Closes
    09 May 2023
  • Scheduling Deadline
    24 May 2023
  • Rescheduling Deadline
    28 Jul 2023
  • CFA Exam Dates
    29 Aug - 05 Sep 2023
Level III

CFA Exam Calculator Policy

Two calculator models are permitted for use during the CFA Program exams.

Texas Instruments

  • BA II PlusTM
  • BA II PlusTM Professional
Texas Instruments BA II Plus Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional Calculator

Hewlett Packard

  • HP 12C
  • Including the following similar models:
    • HP 12C Platinum
    • HP 12C Platinum 25th Anniversary edition
    • HP 12C 30th Anniversary edition
    • HP 12C Prestige
Hewlett Packard 12C Calculator

Details

  • Bringing a second backup calculator to the exam is permitted, as long as it is one of the approved models
Link to CFA Institute: CFA Exam Calculator Policy

We know preparation for the CFA exam can be overwhelming.
We're here to help and answer your questions.

KeyPoint Learning offers multiple study packages, suited for different budgets and requirements.
Specific pricing for our CFA Level I study packages, is available here: CFA Level I Study Packages
Level I
Level II
Level III

The best way to prepare for the CFA Exam is to sign up for a CFA Review prep course. In addition to finding a suitable CFA Review course, it's also crucial to ensure the necessary time is dedicated to studying. Utilizing all resources will improve changes of success on exam day.

Additional exam and study planning suggestions are available here: Study Planning Information
Level I
Level II
Level III
The CFA Program covers 10 topic areas:
Topic Level I Level II Level III Functional Area
Ethical and Professional Standards 15 - 20% 10 - 15% 10 - 15% Ethical and Professional Standards
Quantitative Methods 8 - 12% 5 - 10% - Tools
Economics 8 - 12% 5 - 10% 5 - 10%
Financial Statement Analysis 13 - 17% 10 - 15% -
Corporate Issuers 8 - 12% 5 - 10% - Portfolio Management and Analysis
Portfolio Management 5 - 8% 10 - 15% 35 - 40%
Equity Investments 10 - 12% 10 - 15% 10 - 15% Assets
Fixed Income 10 - 12% 10 - 15% 15 - 20%
Derivatives 5 - 8% 5 - 10% 5 - 10%
Alternative Investments 5 - 8% 5 - 10% 5 - 10%
See the following for additional information about Level I , Level II , Level III or refer directly to the institute website: CFA Institute
Level I
Level II
Level III
300 hours recommended minimum

According to a recent survey conducted by the CFA Institute the average study hours of CFA Candidates was as follows:

Level Average Study Hours
Level I 303
Level II 328
Level III 344
Level I
Level II
Level III
Exam sittings for 2023 are as follows:
Level Exam Sittings
Level I February
May
August
November
Level II May
August
November
Level III February
August
For additional exam dates, refer directly to the institute website: CFA Institute
Level I
Level II
Level III
Enrollment for the CFA exam is a two-step process:
  1. Create an account
  2. Register for a specific exam sitting

See the following link for a video outlining the full process: CFA Exam Registration Overview

Registration link here: CFA Enrollment and Registration
Level I
Level II
Level III
As part of the registration process, there are specific entrance requirements. To qualify, one of the following is needed:
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Student in Final Year
  • Complete Professional Conduct Statement
Additional information on the enrollment requirements and earning the charter can be found here: CFA Program Enrollment Requirements
Level I
Level II
Level III
According to the CFA Institute - CFA Exam Calculator Policy, only two types of calculators are authorized for use:
Texas Instruments
  • BA II PlusTM
  • BA II PlusTM Professional
Hewlett Packard
  • HP 12C
  • Including the following similar models:
    • HP 12C Platinum
    • HP 12C Platinum 25th Anniversary edition
    • HP 12C 30th Anniversary edition
    • HP 12C Prestige
Level I
Level II
Level III

Sign Up For Updates

Sign up and be the first to receive updates on upcoming product availability and latest offers.
Loading…