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CFA Program · Fees

CFA exam cost: fees by level and the full-program total

The number now

$3,520–$4,570

Exam fees for all three levels — all early-bird vs all standard

Exams seated February 2026 and beyond

One-time enrollment fee now $0 (was $350). Computed from the per-level fees below; CFA Institute publishes the same range.

Last verified Oct 13, 2026 · Source: CFA Institute, CFA exam dates & fees.

These are official group figures, copied by hand from the source shown and checked on the date shown. They describe past candidates, not your chances. Always confirm fees and rules with the official organization before you pay.

Fees by level and registration window

CFA Program exam fees (USD), exams seated February 2026 onward
LevelEarly-birdStandard
Level I$1,140$1,490
Level II$1,140$1,490
Level III$1,240$1,590
One-time enrollment fee$0$0
  • Rescheduling within your exam window: $250.
  • Missed exams forfeit fees — they are nonrefundable, non-deferrable and non-transferable.
  • Fees do not include local taxes and are paid in US dollars.
  • Each retake costs that level's fee again.

Last verified Oct 13, 2026 · Source: CFA Institute, CFA exam dates & fees.

The math on the full program

Completing all three levels at early-bird prices: $1,140 + $1,140 + $1,240 = $3,520. At standard prices: $1,490 + $1,490 + $1,590 = $4,570. Both totals are computed from the registry values above and match the range CFA Institute publishes.

What changed

  • Dec 18, 2024

    CFA Institute announced the pricing change covered by this page.

  • Apr 29, 2025

    The change took effect, applying to exams seated in February 2026 and beyond: the one-time enrollment fee was eliminated ($350 → $0).

  • 2025 → 2026

    Price per exam (early-bird → standard): Level I $990 → $1,140 ($1,290 → $1,490 standard); Level II $990 → $1,140 ($1,290 → $1,490 standard); Level III $1,090 → $1,240 ($1,390 → $1,590 standard).

  • Jan 15, 2027

    Next scheduled re-check of the fees on this page.

What the official body does not publish

  • Deferral fees — not published as numbers on these official pages, so none appear here.

How to read these numbers

Early-bird vs standard is a registration-window choice, not a different exam: the same sitting, hundreds of dollars apart. Registering early is the only lever these fees have.

The program total assumes you pass each level once. A retake adds that level's fee again, and missing a window forfeits the fees entirely — both are worth pricing into your plans.

Questions

How much does the whole CFA Program cost?
In exam fees: $3,520 if you register early-bird at all three levels, up to $4,570 at standard pricing. That is the range CFA Institute itself publishes, computed here from the per-level fees. It excludes local taxes, study materials, and any retakes — each retake costs that level's fee again.
Is the CFA enrollment fee really gone?
Yes. The one-time $350 enrollment fee was eliminated for exams seated in February 2026 and beyond; the change took effect Apr 29, 2025. It is now $0.
What if I need to move my exam inside the window?
Rescheduling within your exam window costs $250. If you simply miss the exam, you forfeit the fees — they are nonrefundable, non-deferrable and non-transferable.
What about deferral fees?
Deferral fees are not published as numbers on the official pages we use, so this page shows none. Check CFA Institute's policies for your case before you assume a figure.
Do these prices include local taxes?
No. CFA Institute states that its exam fees do not include local taxes, and all fees are paid in US dollars.