Important CFA Exam Dates 2023 (Don’t Miss the 2023 CFA Registration Deadline!)

The CFA Exam dates for 2023 are limited because CFA test dates are only offered during short windows. What’s more, the CFA exam schedule includes early-bird, registration, and scheduling deadlines for Levels 1, 2, and 3. Therefore, you need the CFA 2023 exam dates to register and make your exam appointment in advance. So in this article, I’ll share updates to the CFA exam schedule in 2023. In addition to the CFA enrollment dates and score release timelines, I’ll show you how to save lots of money by meeting a CFA early bird deadline.

CFA Exam Dates

Although the CFA 2023 exam dates might seem a little random and scattered, they actually follow a standard pattern. Until 2020, the CFA Exam dates and deadlines were nearly the same every year: the exam was scheduled every June for all levels and every December for Level 1 only. However, the CFA schedule changed after 2021.

Basically, each quarter has a CFA Level 1 exam date in 2023. But the CFA exam dates are a little more limited for Levels 2 and 3 in 2023.

Plus, some testing windows actually span two months, so always double-check the exact CFA exam dates. For instance, the Level 1 “August” CFA exam dates in 2023 are all in the month of August (the 22nd-28th). In contrast, though, the Level 2 “August” 2023 dates actually go from August 29 to September 2.

CFA Dates: Registering, Scheduling, and More

In addition to the CFA 2023 schedule of test dates, you must be aware of other deadlines, too. In fact, the CFA exam has several dates to add to your calendar:

• The actual CFA test dates
• Early-bird and regular exam registration deadlines
• Exam scheduling (and reschedule) deadlines

And to make things even more confusing, the dates between Levels 1, 2, and 3 can be different, even for similar testing windows.

CFA 2023 Exam Dates

• February 2023: Level 1 and Level 3
• May 2023: Level 1 and Level 2
• August 2023: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3
• November 2023: Level 1 and Level 2

Plan Ahead!

As you can see in the lists above, the CFA exam dates are limited. For example, CFA Level 1 2023 dates are available every quarter. However, if you’re looking for a CFA Level 2 exam date in 2023, your only options are February, August, and November. And you have even fewer choices when selecting a CFA Level 3 2023 exam date since Level 3 is only offered in May and August.

Save Money: Meet the CFA Early Registration Deadline

In the charts below, you’ll notice significant differences in CFA Exam fees between the early and regular CFA exam registration deadlines. For instance, the CFA exam opens its registration about nine months before the exam date. Similarly, early registration, which includes a discounted exam fee, closes about six months before the actual exam.

For example, let’s look at the cost-saving differences for the CFA Level 1 November 2022 registration:

• Level 1 early registration (by May 3, 2023 for the CFA November 2023 dates) = $900
• Level 1 regular registration (by August 9, 2023) = $1,200

February 2023 CFA Exam Dates

For the first testing window in 2023, the CFAI will offer both the Level 1 and 2 exams. If you want to take Level 3, on the other hand, you’ll need to wait until May or August.

Date	Action	Fee (USD)
May 13, 2023	Level 1 and 2 registration and scheduling windows open
August 10, 2023	Level 1 and 2 early registration deadline	$900
November 1, 2023	Level 1 and 2 registration closes	$1,200
November 17, 2023	Level 1 and 2 scheduling deadline
January 15, 2023	Level 1 rescheduling deadline	$250
January 22, 2023	Level 2 rescheduling deadline	$250
February 15-21, 2023	Level 1 exam dates
February 22-26, 2023	Level 2 exam dates
March 2023	CFA Exam results released

 

May CFA Dates 2023

The May CFA exam calendar in 2023 only includes the Level 1 and 3 exams. That is, you can’t take Level 2 in May 2023.

Date	Action	Fee (USD)
Already passed	Level 1 and 3 registration and scheduling windows open
Already passed	Level 1 and 3 early registration deadline	$900
February 8, 2023	Level 1 and 3 registration closes	$1,200
February 16, 2023	Level 1 and 3 scheduling deadline
April 16, 2023	Level 1 rescheduling deadline	$250
April 23, 2023	Level 3 rescheduling deadline	$250
May 17-23, 2023	Level 1 exam dates
May 24-26, 2023	Level 3 exam dates
July 2023	CFA Exam results released for Level 1
August 2023	CFA Exam results released for Level 3

 

August CFA Exam 2023 Dates

The CFA August 2023 schedule is pretty full, and candidates have opportunities to take every level of the exam.

Date	Action	Fee (USD)
October 26, 2022	Level 1 and 2 registration and scheduling windows open
December 1, 2022	Level 3 registration and scheduling window opens
February 9, 2023	Level 1, 2, and 3 early registration deadline	$700
May 3, 2023	Level 1, 2, and 3 registration closes	$1,000
May 25, 2023	Level 1, 2, and 3 scheduling deadline
July 23, 2023	Level 1 rescheduling deadline	$250
July 30, 2023	Level 2 and 3 rescheduling deadline	$250
August 23-29, 2023	Level 1 exam dates
August 30-September 3, 2023	Level 2 exam dates
August 30-September 6, 2023	Level 3 exam dates
October 2023	CFA Exam results released for Level 1 and 2
November 2023	CFA Exam results released for Level 3

 November 2023 CFA Exam Dates

The CFAI will offer just two levels of the CFA Exam in November of 2022.

Date	Action	Fee (USD)
February 1, 2023	Level 1 registration and scheduling opens; Level 2 registration opens
February 15, 2023	Level 2 scheduling opens
May 4, 2023	Level 1 and 2 early registration deadline	$900
August 9, 2023	Level 1 and 2 registration closes	$1,200
August 17, 2023	Level 1 and 2 scheduling deadline
October 15, 2023	Level 1 rescheduling deadline	$250
October 22, 2023	Level 2 rescheduling deadline	$250
November 15-21, 2023	Level 1 exam dates
November 22-26, 2023	Level 2 exam dates
January 2024	CFA Exam results released

 

Notes on CFA Registration Deadlines

Understanding CFA Exam Deadlines for Registration

Normally, Level 1 applicants may register as early as nine or ten months before the exam. Sometimes, the registration period can be even longer, though. For example, the August 2020-November 2021 CFA Level 1 window had an unusually long registration period. But then the November 2022 CFA Level 1 registration window was shorter. Therefore, if you don’t register this year, be sure to check next year for updated 2024 deadlines.

CFA Missed Scheduling Deadline Rules

Basically, if you miss the deadlines to register or schedule your exam, you can’t request an extension. To state it another way, you can’t register late. As a result, you must meet your CFA registration deadline.

For example, let’s assume that you want to sit for CFA Level 1 in August 2023. If you fail to register before the early-bird deadline (February 9, 2023) or the regular deadline (May 3, 2023), then you’ll have to take CFA Level 1 in November 2023.

Known Your CFA Reschedule Deadline, Too

If needed, you can reschedule your CFA exam within the same window for a fee. You simply need to go online, log into your Prometric account, and reschedule your exam. However, you must do so before the reschedule deadline.

Plus, you can’t switch your registration to a new testing window. For instance, if you scheduled an exam in May 2022, you can reschedule for another time and test date as long as it’s still in May 2023.

The normal rescheduling fee for 2023 is $250. In 2021, though, the CFAI reduced the rescheduling fee for all 2021 exams to $25 due to the pandemic and travel restrictions. So if you see another website mention a $25 rescheduling fee, note that it’s now $250.

CFA Deadlines for Exam Retakes

According to the CFA pass rates, over half of the CFA candidates fail their exams each year. If this happens to you, don’t worry—you can retake your failed section. Moreover, the CFAI doesn’t have specific CFA registration dates for re-takes. Instead, you must wait 6 months from the day of your failed exam to the day you register for a re-take.

Here’s an example:

• Let’s say you pick one of the CFA Level 2 August 2023 dates, but you fail Level 2.
• In that case, you can’t sign up for the CFA Level 2 November 2023 registration because 6 months haven’t passed.
• In fact, you’ll have to wait until February 2024 to register again.

As you can see, each time you fail a section, you push back your CFA exam timetable even further. So if you want to stick to your original CFA schedule, study with a review course that can help you pass on the first try.

Other CFA Important Dates

Availability of CFAI Mock Exams

The CFA Institute provides practice questions and mock exams for your personal use. You’ll find them in your CFAI Learning Ecosystem (online user portal) after registering for the CFA exam. However, the mock exams aren’t available until 2 months before your scheduled exam.

Paying by Invoice

Plus, if you might want to pay your CFA Exam fees via an invoice, there’s a deadline for that, too. (This option is available for November dates.)

• Pay-by-invoice deadline for the November CFA Level 1 exam dates in 2023: May 3, 2023
• Pay-by-invoice deadline for the November CFA Level 2 exam dates in 2023: May 3, 2023

CFA 2023 Schedule

In summary, here’s a quick reminder of when you can—and can’t—take the CFA exam in 2023.

CFA Exam Calendar for 2023

	February 2023	May 2023	August 2023	November 2023
CFA Level 1 Dates
CFA Level 2 Dates
CFA Level 3 Dates

 

What about the Access Scholarship?

Since it was founded, the CFAI has offered many scholarships that reduce the exam fees. Specifically, the Access Scholarship was designed to help candidates who couldn’t afford the full fee.

The next Access Scholarship application window is May 9 to June 13, 2023.

All CPA Exam Deadlines and Dates: 2023

CFA Level 1 Dates for 2023

• February 1: Registration and scheduling open for November 2023 exam
• February 8: CFA Level 1 registration closes for May 2023 exam
• February 9: Early registration deadline for August 2023 exam
• February 16: Scheduling deadline for May 2023 exam
• April 16: Rescheduling deadline for May 2023 exam
• May 3: Registration deadline for August 2023 exam + Early registration deadline for November 2023 exam
• May 17-23: CFA Level 1 exam dates
• May 25: Scheduling CFA Level 1 deadline for August 2023 exam
• July 23: Rescheduling deadline for August 2023 exam
• August 9: CFA Level 1 registration closes for November 2023 exam
• August 17: Scheduling deadline for November 2023 exam
• August 23-29: CFA Level 1 exam dates
• October 15: Rescheduling deadline for Level 1
• November 15-21: CFA Level 1 exam dates

CFA Level 2 Dates in 2022

• February 1: Registration opens for November 2023 exam
• February 9: Deadline for CFA Level 2 August 2023 registration
• February 15: Scheduling opens for November 2023 exam
• May 3: Registration deadline for August 2023 exam + CFA Level 2 early registration for November 2022 exam
• May 25: CFA Level 2 deadline for scheduling for August 2023 exam
• July 30: Rescheduling deadline for August CFA Level 2 exam dates
• August 9: Registration deadline for November 2023 exam
• August 17: Scheduling deadline for November 2023 exam
• August 30-September 3: CFA Level 2 2023 exam dates
• October 22: Rescheduling deadline for November 2023 exam
• November 22-26: CFA Level 2 test dates

CFA Level 3 Exam Dates 2023

• February 8: Registration deadline for May 2023 exam
• February 9: Early registration deadline for August 2023 exam
• February 16: Scheduling deadline for May 2023 exam
• May 3: Registration deadline for August 2023 exam
• May 24-26: CFA Level 3 exam dates
• May 25: Scheduling deadline for August 2023 exam
• July 30: Rescheduling deadline for August 2023 exam
• August 30-September 6: CFA Level 3 exam dates

Frequently Asked Questions from Readers

When is the CFA Level 1 exam date?

In 2023, you have four opportunities to take the CFA Level 1 exam: February, May, August, and November.

What are the CFA Level 2 and 3 exam dates?

In 2023, you can take the Level 2 exam in February, August, and November. The Level 3 exam will be given in May and August 2023.

What is the CFA reschedule deadline and fee?

Although the CFAI charges a $250 fee, you can reschedule your CFA exam in the same testing window if you do so before the deadline. The CFA reschedule deadlines are:

• CFA Level 1 February 2023: January 15, 2023
• CFA Level 1 May 2023: April 16, 2023
• CFA Level 1 August 2023: July 23, 2023
• CFA Level 1 November 2023: October 15, 2023
• CFA Level 2 August 2023: July 30, 2023
• CFA Level 2 November 2023: October 22, 2023
• CFA Level 3 May 2023: April 23, 2023
• CFA Level 3 August 2023: July 30, 2023

What’s the difference between CFA registration deadlines and scheduling deadlines?

In the past, CFA could register to take the CFA exam and then schedule a specific testing appointment at the same time. Registration and scheduling are now two separate processes, though. Thus, you’ll register with CFAI first and then schedule your test day with Prometric second. Choosing the early-bird registration dates can save you a lot of money on CFA exam fees.

When will I know my score for a CFA exam date in 2022?

The CFAI doesn’t release specific score release dates. However, results are us3ally available within 60 days for Levels 1 and 2 and 90 days for Level 3.

What about CFA exam retake deadlines?

If you fail a level of the CFA exam, you must wait 6 months to retake it. For example, if you failed the February 2023 Level 1 exam, you must until the CFA Level 1 August 2023 registration date to sign-up for a retake.

For Your Further Reading

• How to become a CFA
• Frequently asked questions on the CFA exam
• CFA Institute information on schedules and fees