CFA® Exam Admission and Appointment Policy

You are responsible for scheduling your exam appointment by the published deadline for your exam window. Appointments are first-come, first-served and appointment availability will vary by test center.

To find an exam location near you, visit our Test Center Locations page. Please note: all test centers are subject to change based on availability and demand. Test center options with confirmed available seating will be presented to you during the scheduling process.

If you need to reschedule your exam appointment in your exam window, you will be charged a non-refundable USD 250 fee and any applicable taxes and must do so by the published deadline.

If you fail to schedule your appointment or fail to sit for the exam, including if you are refused admission due to arriving late, your exam fees are non-refundable, non-deferrable, and non-transferable. CFA Institute recommends that you arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.

Test center personnel will perform security inspections during the check-in process and prior to re-entry into the testing room after a break. This includes inspection of personal belongings, clothing and eyeglasses, as well as the use of a metal detector wand to ensure you are not carrying electronic devices into the testing room. Test centers are also monitored by CCTV.

Be aware that the check-in and security process may be completed ahead of or behind schedule, which could result in the tutorial and exam starting earlier or later than the scheduled time. Candidates must carefully follow the on-screen prompts and ensure they are aware of when the tutorial ends and when the actual exam begins to avoid accidentally terminating the exam. 

If there is a disruption in your exam (e.g. technical or environmental) but you are able to continue testing, you must. If you decide to leave the test center, CFA Institute will not approve a rescheduling of your exam appointment or deferral of your exam registration. 

During testing, candidates are allowed up to two unscheduled breaks; however, the testing time is not paused during these breaks. While on unscheduled breaks, candidates may use the designated restroom for testing candidates and, with authorization from test center personnel, may access their personal belongings for water, food, or medical items. Candidates may not access any other personal items, including but not limited to mobile phones, electronic devices, or study materials. Candidates may not leave the test center on unscheduled breaks. The test center is defined to include the facility where check-in, security, and testing occurs, as well as the designated restroom for testing candidates.

View the general exam day procedures, which may vary slightly due to local requirements. All candidates must follow these instructions or you will not be admitted into the testing room.