When can I register for CFA Level 1 2023?

Staying up-to-date on any changes made by the CFAI (Chartered Financial Analyst Institute), such as when and where the exam will be offered, is an important step in developing a study schedule for the CFA® exam. Knowing the dates is also beneficial because the costs change depending on when you register; if you register early, you get a discounted price, and if you register late, the regular fee is slightly more.

CFA Exam Schedule

The CFAI changed the exam schedule in 2022 to speed up the release of Level 3 results, which usually takes longer than the other two levels. This also resulted in the CFA exam being conducted at more regular intervals. Much like in 2022, the CFA exam will be administered four times for Level 1, three times for Level 2, and twice for Level 3, for the 2023 exam windows as well.

CFA Level 1 Exam Dates

For the 2023 exam windows, the CFA Level 1 exam will be held four times: in February, May, August, and November.

CFA Level 1 Exam Dates (2022-2023)Date WindowRegistration DeadlineScheduling DeadlineRe-scheduling DeadlineAugust 23-29, 20223 May25 May23 JulyNovember 15-21, 20229 August17 August15 OctoberFebruary 14-20, 20238 November, 202216 November, 202213 JanuaryMay 16-22, 202331 January, 202315 February, 202314 April, 2023

CFA Level 2 Exam Dates

The following are the current CFA exam windows/dates for Level 2 of the CFA program:

CFA Level 2 Exam Dates (2022)Date WindowRegistration DeadlineScheduling DeadlineRe-scheduling DeadlineAugust 30 to September 33 May25 May30 JulyNovember 22-269 August17 August22 OctoberMay 23-27, 202331 January, 202315 February, 202321 April, 2023

CFA Level 3 Exam Dates

The following are the current CFA exam windows/dates for Level 3 of the CFA program:
In 2023, the CFA Level 3 exam will be conducted in February and August.

CFA Level 3 Exam Dates (2022-2023)Date WindowRegistration DeadlineScheduling DeadlineRe-scheduling DeadlineAugust 30 to September 6, 20223 May25 May30 JulyFebruary 21-23, 20238 November, 202216 November, 202220 January

How to Schedule, Defer and Reschedule Your CFA Exam?

To sit for the CFA exam, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Have a bachelor's degree or be in the final year of pursuing one
2. Have four years of related work experience
3. Have at least four years of education and work experience

Once you've completed the following CFA Exam requirements, you are now ready to schedule your exam.

Scheduling the Exam

Scheduling the CFA exam is a two-step process—"register and pay" and "scheduling the exam." You can register and pay for the exam via the CFA Institute's website and then "schedule your exam" using the link in your registration dashboard.

Prometric's scheduling tool, provided by the Prometric Testing Centers, can help you choose the testing center, dates, and time-slots that work best for you. Following your scheduling, you'll receive an email from Prometric confirming your exam day and time. Unless you receive a confirmation email, your appointment has not been set. In this case, you should contact Prometric immediately.

Even though Prometric will assist you completely in scheduling the exam, the CFAI website will continue to serve as your go-to source for the most current CFA exam information.

If you can't find a Prometric testing center in your preferred area, keep checking again as seats are frequently added. Use the city and country filters when searching for testing locations. There are far more Prometric testing centers available when you search using these factors than by nation.

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Rescheduling the Exam

If you need to reschedule your CFA exam completely, try to reschedule it before your exam window deadline. Any reschedule incurs a cost of $250 and must go through your Promeric Scheduler.

If Prometric reschedules your exam, you will be rescheduled to the exact location and exam window for a different date. If there are no open slots at the location, you will be rescheduled within a 50-mile radius of your initially selected center.

Deferring the Exam Date

Candidates may only defer their CFA exam on a case-by-case basis. Deferment considerations are based on the following events that affect the candidate or a member of the candidate's immediate family:

1. A travel restriction imposed by the government, employer, or university due to COVID-19 that prevents a candidate from taking the exam (documentation required)
2. A positive COVID test within 60 days of the scheduled exam appointment for the candidate (documentation required).
3. A candidate or immediate family member with a life-threatening illness in the exam window
4. A candidate's immediate family member's death
5. Military service (candidate only) during the exam window
6. Pregnancy (candidate only).
7. Natural disaster (in the candidate's area)

You must provide documentation to back up your claim for a free emergency deferral. The approval and processing time for a deferral can take up to six weeks. When your account has been updated, the CFAI will notify you via email so that you can register for your next exam.

Candidates experiencing a non-life-threatening qualifying pandemic-related illness/issue are eligible for reduced registration fee deferrals. This option lowers your next registration fee to $399. If your situation does not fit within these parameters, you may withdraw your exam registration.

Canceling the exam

The CFAI allows candidates to withdraw or cancel their exam registration until five days before the beginning of their exam window. Unfortunately, if you withdraw or cancel your exam, you will not receive a refund for the enrollment and registration fees. These fees will also not be deferred or transferred to another CFA exam.

Furthermore, if you do not withdraw your registration five days before the start of the exam window, you will be unable to re-register for the next exam until the current exam results are released.

How to Be Prepared for Exam Day?

The computer-based CFA exams are administered at over 400 Prometric testing centers worldwide. After you register, you will be given a list of seating options and test centers to choose from. Following the seat assignment, you will also be notified about lunch, parking, and other details to help plan your day effectively.

Over 400 Prometric testing facilities across the world offer the computer-based CFA exams. Upon registering for an examination level, you are given seating options for the various test centers. After the seat allotment, the test center will notify you about lunch, parking, and other details to set your reminders straight for the day.

Items Permitted

1. Glasses
2. Face mask
3. CFAI-approved calculators
4. A valid international travel passport
5. Calculator cases and keystroke cards

You will be provided with scratch paper, a whiteboard, or an erasable writing tablet during the examination. Also, some personal goods may be subject to inspection as part of the check-in procedure. Certain vital medical items may be permitted in the testing room, but not without prior authorization.

Items Not Permitted

1. Food or drinks
2. Calculator manuals
3. Wallet/ money purse
4. Weapons of any kind
5. Any desk clock or timer, including wristwatches
6. Study materials, including notes, papers, textbooks, or study guides
7. Baggage of any kind, including transparent bags, backpacks, handbags, tote bags, briefcases, luggage, carrying cases, passport covers, or eyeglass cases
8. Jewelry (other than wedding or engagement rings), ornate hair clips, headbands, combs, barrettes, tie clips, or cufflinks
9. Mobile phones, cameras, headsets, computers, tablets, wearable technology (such as fitness tracking devices), smartwatches, or any Bluetooth-enabled or remote communication or photographic devices

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FAQs

Do CFA exam dates change every year?

Not always. Due to the pandemic and the introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT), CFAI changed the exam dates and frequency, most recently in 2021. Starting in 2022, the CFA Institute has been offering the exam on a much more regular schedule.

What are my options if my preferred testing center show a full window when trying to schedule?

As a result of the pandemic, some venues surpassed capacity even before the registration closed. CFAI works with Prometric and the British Council to add appointments around the world. If they can’t find more appointments, they’ll let candidates in those locations book another as soon as feasible during the exam window.

How soon will I get my CFA exam results?

Exam results are expected to be available 8–10 weeks after an exam window for Level 1 and Level 2, and approximately ten weeks for Level 3.

Can I change my CFA exam location?

Yes, you can. If you need to change your testing location, log into your CFA Institute account and click the “Manage Your Exam” link. You must make the changes by the rescheduling deadline and pay a rescheduling fee of $250.

What happens if my exam is canceled and not rescheduled?

Prometric will first notify you via email if your exam is canceled. Since the emails will be sent from [email protected], add this email address to your safe sender list so that this message does not end up in your spam folder. CFAI will contact you within 15 days of the cancellation to let you know your next steps.