CFA Exam Centers Quick Facts
- There are over 400 CFA testing centers around the world.
- CFA exam dates are now offered within an exam window.
- You will have the option to select your testing location when you schedule your exam. This step must be completed by the exam scheduling deadline.
- In order to schedule your exam, you must first enroll in the CFA Program and register to take the CFA exam.
Find a CFA Test Center Near You
To find a CFA test center near you, you need to first register for the exam and schedule your CFA exam date. You will then be given the option to choose your desired location.
CFA Exam Locations
There are over 400 designated CFA Program exam testing centers in the world, and you can view CFA exam locations on the CFA Institute website.
You will need to select your testing location when you schedule your exam, but this can only be done after registering for the exam (it is a two-part process).
Here are a few tips for selecting your exam location and time:
- Schedule your exam appointment when you register or as soon after as possible. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- CFA Institute does sometimes add capacity, so if you are firm on your choice, keep checking back.
- Don’t search by country only as it may return no result. Search by city and country. There may be testing locations with extra capacity near your chosen city.
- Select the entire exam window as your date range search. You may have to be flexible when selecting which day to test.
You should be reasonably sure when selecting your testing dates, locations, and times. Changing your selections can make it difficult for other candidates to procure their selections and could be costly to you!
Self-Scheduling for the CFA Exam Windows
Once you register for the CFA exam, you can self-schedule your exam date within the CFA exam testing windows. Testing windows are date ranges, typically up to 10 days, during specific months of the year in which you can sit for the exam.
Although registration for the February 2022 Level I & II exams has closed and no Level III exam is planned for that exam window, we have compiled additional registration, scheduling, and exam dates for each exam level.
Level I
- May 2022 Exam
- Registration and exam scheduling opens 20 July 2021
- Exam window is 17-23 May 2022
- August 2022 Exam
- Registration and exam scheduling opens 26 October 2021
- Exam window is 23-29 August 2022
- November 2022 Exam
- Registration and exam scheduling opens 1 February 2022
- Exam window is 15-21 November 2022
- February 2023 Exam
- Registration and exam scheduling opens 10 May 2022
- Exam window is 14-20 February 2023
Level II
- August 2022 Exam
- Registration and exam scheduling opens 26 October 2021
- Exam window is 30 August – 3 September 2022
- November 2022 Exam
- Registration and exam scheduling opens 1 February 2022
- Exam window is 22-26 November 2022
Level III
- May 2022 Exam
- Registration and exam scheduling opens 20 July 2021
- Exam window is 24-26 May 2022
- August 2022 Exam
- Registration and exam scheduling opens 1 December 2021
- Exam window is 30 August – 6 September 2022
- February 2023 Exam
- Registration and exam scheduling opens 10 May 2022
- Exam window is 21-23 February 2023
CFA Institute has indicated months for testing windows in 2023 as follows
- Level 1: February, May, August, and November
- Level 2: May, August, and November
- Level 3: February and August
Wiley keeps track of the latest CFA Exam Dates as they become available.
Changing the Location of Your CFA Exam
If you need to change your testing location, you can request a change by logging into your CFA Institute account and selecting the “Manage Your Exam” link. You must make changes by the rescheduling deadline and pay a $250 rescheduling fee.
Rescheduling Your CFA Exam
If you need to reschedule your CFA exam to a different date within the same testing window, you can do so via your CFA Institute account (and a $250 rescheduling fee will be incurred). It is not possible to reschedule your exam to a different testing window without paying an additional registration fee.
What are the Available CFA Testing Locations?
A list of planned computer-based test center locations for the CFA exam can be viewed on the CFA Institute website. Addresses for specific test centers will be provided during the scheduling phase of the registration process.
Changes to CFA Exam Experience & Format
Now that the CFA exam is strictly a computer-based exam (as opposed to paper-based as it was in the past), there are a few changes to the CFA exam experience.
First, the exam registration process now involves two steps:
1. Enroll in the CFA exam on the CFA website.
2. Schedule your exam via your CFA Program tile.
Second, the CFA exam is no longer just offered on a single day, there are now exam windows of up to 10 days in which you can sit for the exam.
Third, exam testing time has been reduced from 6 hours to 4.5 hours with the same average time per question but fewer questions. A mask or other face covering is likely to be required in all testing centers. Some locations may require a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination.
In general, here is what you should bring to the CFA exam testing center:
- Valid international travel passport
- Approved calculators (Texas Instruments BA II Plus and Hewlett Packard 12C), calculator cases, and loose batteries
- Mask or other face covering
- Negative COVID test or proof of vaccination (may be required at some testing centers)
- Eyeglasses (without case) if necessary
Specific local requirements will be provided by the test administration company based on the selected testing center.
CFA Testing Centers – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about CFA testing centers.
- No. The CFA exam must be taken in-person at an approved CFA testing center.
- No. The CFA exam is a computer-based test, but it must be taken in-person at an approved CFA exam location.
- Yes. If it is before the registration deadline, you can change your CFA exam location on the CFA Institute website under the “My CFA” tab.
- Passing all three levels of the CFA exam takes 18 months or longer, while meeting all CFA requirements takes 4-5 years.
- Yes. However, to meet the 300-hour minimum suggested study hours, you will need to study for at least 23 hours per week to prepare in 3 months. Most candidates study for up to 6 months, which would require about 2.5 hours of study time on weekdays. 6 months of study time is typical, as you can only take one level of the CFA exam every 6 months.
- Total cost to take the CFA exam is $3,450. That includes $450 for the CFA Institute one-time enrollment fee and the $1,000 standard CFA registration fee for each of the three exams.
- No. Once you pass the CFA Level 1, your results will not expire.
