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Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Admission Process for 2025

Rajnandini Malladeb's profile picture

Updated on Jul 14, 2025

Rajnandini Malladeb

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a professional credential offered by the CFA Institute. It is designed for investment professionals seeking expertise in advanced topics like asset valuation, portfolio management, financial analysis, corporate finance, ethics, etc.

 

The program comprises three levels of exams (Levels I, II, and III) that must be passed sequentially. While exams can be completed in roughly two years, you also need to accumulate at least 4,000 hours of qualified work experience over a minimum of three years to earn the full CFA charter.

 

To be eligible for admission to CFA, students must have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or if they are in the final year, they can register for Level I but must complete the degree before attempting Level II. Also, according to the eligibility criteria, a valid international passport is mandatory to register and will be required for identification on exam day.

 

Students first need to create an account on the CFA Institute’s website. Provide accurate personal details (like. name per passport, date of birth, email), educational background, work experience, etc. Then, the students have to schedule an exam date, and have to pay the exam fee. Only after taking the exam and completing the work experience, students can apply for the Charter.

 

Table of Contents
  1. Chartered Financial Analyst Eligibility Criteria
  2. Chartered Financial Analyst Entrance Exams 2025
  3. Chartered Financial Analyst Registration and Exam Process 2025
  4. Chartered Financial Analyst Frequently Asked Questions

 

Chartered Financial Analyst Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility for CFA differs with its different levels. To be eligible for admission to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) degree, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university OR
  • Be in final‑year of undergraduate studies, with expected graduation within 23 months (must complete degree before Level II)
  • Alternatively, a combination of university education and professional work experience of 4,000 hours over at least three sequential years. There should be no overlap between education and work
  • 4,000 hours of professional work experience (investment‑related or any work requiring professional judgement and skills) over a minimum of 36 months.
  • A valid international travel passport is mandatory for registration
  • Exams are administered only in English, so candidates must have strong reading and writing skills in English
  • Candidates must agree to and abide by the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct at registration
  • Must reside in or be from a country in which the CFA Institute conducts business

 

Chartered Financial Analyst Entrance Exams 2025

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Entrance Exams 2025 include the three levels of the CFA Program like Level I, Level II, and Level III. It is administered globally by the CFA Institute. Given below are the details of the CFA entrance exam for 2025:

Exam Level

Registration Dates (Tentative)

Exam Date Window (Tentative

Application Fee

CFA Level I 2026

Feb: Apr 29, 2025 – Oct 29, 2025

 

May: Aug 12, 2025 – Feb 12, 2026

 

Aug: Feb 2026 – May 2026

 

Nov: May 2026 – Aug 2026

Feb 2–8, 2026

 

May 12–18, 2026

 

Aug 16–31, 2026

 

Nov 15–30, 2026

Early: $990–$1,140

 

Standard: $1,290–$1,490

 

One-time Enrollment: $350

CFA Level II 2026

May: Aug 12, 2025 – Feb 12, 2026

 

Aug: Feb 2026 – May 2026

 

Nov: May 2026 – Aug 2026

May 19–23, 2026

 

Aug 16–31, 2026

 

Nov 19–23, 2026

Early: $990–$1,140

 

Standard: $1,290–$1,490

CFA Level III 2026

Feb: Apr 29, 2025 – Oct 29, 2025

 

Aug: Feb 2026 – May 2026

Jan 29–Feb 1, 2026

 

Aug 16–31, 2026

Early: $1,090–$1,140

 

Standard: $1,390–$1,490

Interested Students can Read More About: CFA Fees

 

Chartered Financial Analyst Registration and Exam Process 2025

Students are required to meet the eligibility criteria for the different levels of the CFA exam. After meeting the required eligibility criteria, candidates can proceed to the official website of CFA. The step-wise registration process for CFA exam for students registering the first time is outlined below:

  • Step 1: Register on the CFA Institute website, providing personal, educational, and professional details. Enroll in the CFA Program to pay the one-time USD 350 enrollment fee (for those entering Level I, first time only)
  • Step 2: Then, students have to select the exam level from Level I to Level II then Level III, sequentially
  • Step 3: Students are required to pick an exam window, in which they are comfortable to write the CFA exam.
  • Step 4: Pay registration fees during one of the windows, either early registration or standard registration. This can be done through netbanking, credit cards or debit cards.
  • Step 5: After fee payment, schedule your exam via Prometric (this happens on a first-come, first-served basis).
  • Step 6: Then, gain access to the official digital Learning Ecosystem, including curriculum, mock exams, practice tools. Students are required to thoroughly understand the exam syllabus.
  • Step 7: Attend the computer-based test at your Prometric center on the date chosen
  • Step 8: After 5-8 weeks, the results are released.

 

Documents Required:

  • Original Marksheet of 10th 12th grade
  • School Leaving Certificate
  • Caste Certificate (if applicable)
  • Birth Certificate
  • Work Experience Letter
  • ID Proof (Aadhar/ PAN/ Passport)
  • EWS Certificate (if applicable)
  • Passport-size Photograph
  • Signature

 

Chartered Financial Analyst Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have to reschedule my CFA Exam date?

Students can reschedule your exam date within the same exam window. This means they can move it from one date to another in the August 2025 window. This costs USD 250. Students can't change it to a different exam window, otherwise they have to apply for a deferral. The deferral charges USD 449

How long does the CFA Institute take to process membership applications and references?

After fulfilling exams and work experience, the CFA membership application takes 10 days. After that, the local CFA society reviews the application, which can take upto 30 days. Hence, it is a 406 week long process.

How many attempts can I take for a CFA exam?

Students can take upto 6 attempts for a CFA exam. It can be taken maximum twice in a year. After attempting the exam 6 times, they are not eligible to register again for the CFA exam.

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