The CAIA program can be a substantial investment!
A typical candidate should expect to spend at least $3,000 to get the designation, and $350 every year to keep the membership active.
Here is the cost breakdown.
1. Enrollment
One-time non-refundable fee of $400 that you need to pay before taking the Level 1 exam.
2. Level 1 Exam Registration Fee
3. Level 2 Exam Registration Fee
Same as Level 1:
4. Ongoing Membership Fee
Employees of AIMA/CISDM member companies can enjoy 25% off first-time exam fee:
Member of the following professional associations can enjoy 10% off first-time exam fee:
You can check out the latest list here.
1. CAIA Review Course
The review course is essential for passing success, and it comes with a price. You can expect to spend anything from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.
2. Travel and Accommodation Expenses
If the exam site is far away from home, additional cost on traveling and possibly hotel charges should be included in your budget.
1. Payment
It is most convenient to pay online by credit card, but check and money order can be accepted with a $25 processing fee. You will need to mail the check directly to the CAIA Association.
2. Rescheduling
There is no extra charge to reschedule the exam if the change is done 30 days prior to the exam date. However, the exam cannot be postponed to the next testing window.
3. Refund Policies
The one-time program enrollment fee and membership fee are not refundable. Refund of exam fee is granted but candidate should cancel the registration within 30 days of the date of purchase.
It all depends on your career aspiration. If you take the exam without any plan to go into alternative investment, it may not be worth it.
However, you are interested in this highly specialized segment of the industry and aim to work for hedge funds, financial companies and regulatory agencies that deal with alternative investments, then it’s well worth the investment of time, effort and money.
Information source: CAIA.org