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- 2023 CFA Exam Fees Breakdown: Is the CFA Worth It?
2023 CFA Exam Fees Breakdown: Is the CFA Worth It?
So, CFA exam fees can really add up. Therefore, before you get into the details of applying, consider how much the CFA will cost you.
For specific cost breakdowns for Levels 1, 2, and 3, you can scroll down or click on these buttons for respective information:
CFA Exam Fees Overview
All amounts are in US dollars.
1. CFA Program Fees (Mandatory)
There are 3 layers of fees you’ll need to pay for the exam:
- One-time enrollment fee for first-timers (i.e., new CFA Level I candidates)
- Registration fee for each level or retake
- Curriculum fee for each level or retake
a) CFA Enrollment Fee
This is a one-time program enrollment fee of $350 when you apply for the Level I exam. You don’t need to pay again for Levels 2 and 3. Similarly, you don’t have to pass the enrollment fee for any retakes either.
b) CFA Exam Fees for Registration
This CFA registration fee is the same for all three levels, but it varies depending on when you commit to the exam. You need to apply several months before the exam date to get the early bird discount.
- CFA early registration fee: $900
- Regular application: $1,200
You may want to check out this page on CFA testing windows for the deadlines.
c) Curriculum Fee
The cost of ebooks is included in the exam fee. If you don’t like to study PDFs, you can pick up a printed version of the CFA curriculum.
Total CFA Program Costs
So, you can expect the overall CFA exam fees to cost between $3,050 to $3,950:
| (US$) | Early | Regular | ||
| # months before exam date | about 8 months | about 3 months | ||
| Enrollment | $350 | $350 | ||
| Level 1 | $900 | $1,200 | ||
| Level 2 | $900 | $1,200 | ||
| Level 3 | $900 | $1,200 | ||
| Total CFA program fees | $3,050 | $3,950 |
2. CFA Courses (Optional?)
The need to take the CFA review courses has somewhat diminished since CFA Institute began to publish its own guide in 2008 (that’s what you will get from the “curriculum” cost).
However, given the relatively low CFA pass rate, many candidates continue to get help from various CFA review courses to increase their chances of passing success.
These non-CFAI guides range from self-study books to fully-integrated guided review courses, with costs varying from $50-ish to $1,500 for each level. Therefore, you’ll want to learn more about the CFA course options.
Also, I say that CFAI materials are “optional” because the CFAI guides are nearly 5,000 pages long. No concept has been summarized, and it will take you a very long time to get through all the information.
Additionally, if you don’t have an extremely strong finance background (education and experience), you’ll want to purchase a review course that covers some of the more beginner-level information.
However, AnalystPrep is one of the most affordable and best CFA study materials that can be purchased (at $149), which is even less than you’d pay for the CFAI printing fees. I’d highly recommend utilizing that option as it’s highly effective and budget-friendly.
3. Travel and Accommodation Cost
If you are lucky enough to live where CFA exam sites are located, you don’t need to worry about this expense. However, since the CFA exam is available to take only in major cities, there is a good chance that you’ll need to include the travel and accommodation costs in your budget.
Remember to multiply this cost by 3 for the three exam levels.
4. Miscellaneous Expenses
If you haven’t already, be sure to get one of the approved CFA calculators. You don’t want to show up for your exam without one of these CFA calculators!
Other costs include possible exam retake fees and possibly the fee to renew your passport, which will be used as your identification at the exam site.
CFA Level 1 Fees for the 2023 Exam
Most readers with questions on cost are planning to take the Level 1 exam. So, here is your budget for the upcoming Level 1 exam:
1. CFA program fees
| Registration Date | Enrollment | CFA level 1 fees | Total |
| Early | $350 | $900 | $1,250 |
| Regular | $350 | $1,200 | $1,550 |
2. CFA course fees
The CFAI curriculum is included in the exam fee. However, many CFA candidates prefer to purchase a comprehensive review course.
To elaborate, more than 70% of candidates get extra review materials, either as a supplement to or a replacement of the CFAI book.
Therefore, here is the cost breakdown of major providers for your reference:
| Fitch | Kaplan Schweser | Wiley | |
| Book /notes only | $325 | $359 | $225 |
| Self-study | $695 | $649 | $595 |
| Premium | $1,020 | $1,499 | $1,295 |
Total
The range is quite large, but please expect to spend $1,100 for your CFA prep course at the minimum. Those who register late and choose to get the Premium course from the most expensive provider (Kaplan Schweser) will cost more than $3,300 for Level 1 alone.
Level 2 CFA Fees
1. CFA program fee
| Registration Date | CFA Level 2 Fees |
| Early | $900 |
| Regular | $1,200 |
The cost is the same as that of Level 1, except that you don’t need to pay the one-time enrollment fee.
2. CFA course fees
The CFAI textbook is again provided (but remember, only in a 5,000 page eBook form). For review courses, Fitch’s Level 2 courses are slightly more expensive than their Level 1 course.
| Fitch | Kaplan Schweser | Wiley | |
| Book /notes only | $325 | $359 | $225 |
| Self-study | $695 | $649 | $595 |
| Premium | $1,120 | $1,499 | $1,295 |
Total CFA Level 2 Fees
Level 2 CFA fees range from just over $1,000 to almost $3,000 for those who register late and get the most expensive review package.
Level 3 CFA Fees
As for the CFA courses, Fitch’s premium offer is $1,220. The exam fee is the same as that of Level 2. However, you can utilize these CFA exam discounts to bring down the cost of your CFA study materials.
Similar to Level 2, Level 3 CFA fees range from $700 to almost $3,000 for those who register late and get the most expensive review package.
Total CFA Fees
- CFA exam fees (enrollment + 3 levels): $2,500 – $4,800
- Review courses: $0 – $4,500
- Travel and Accommodation (calculate based on your distance to the nearest CFA testing center)
- Miscellaneous costs, e.g., calculator, passport, and visa expenses
- Possible Retakes
My Conclusion
Please expect $3,000 as the minimum for your “CFA investment.” The vast majority of candidates spend more than that. Those with multiple retakes can spend more than $10,000 on earning the CFA.
Wow. Is the CFA Title Worth That Much?
The CFA designation isn’t for everyone.
But if you stay in the finance industry, I would say the CFA is worth it in the long run.
Everyone’s case is different, but for some roles like equity analysts and asset management professionals, getting the CFA charter is a must, if not a prerequisite. In other finance-related careers, such as hedge funds and anything related to investing, getting a CFA early in your career does help.
Are You Ready to Jump?
The CFA investment is big, but if you think it’s worth it, it is best to take the journey and reap the benefits as soon as possible! Here are two actionable steps for you:
Source: CFA Institute
