CFA Exam 2026: Important Pricing Changes Revealed by the CFA Institute for CFA Program

CFA Institute has announced major pricing changes for its flagship CFA program. Read the article below to know more about the CFA exam fee, changes, etc.

The CFA Institute has announced major pricing changes for its flagship CFA program. CFA Institute is a global association of investment professionals that announced the pricing changes effective from the CFA 2026 exams onwards. Starting April 29, 2025, the one-time enrollment fee of $350 for the CFA program will be removed, in turn making the program more accessible and affordable for the candidates at the initial stages of CFA registration. 

Key Changes to the CFA Exam Pricing

The key information in this announcement includes:

• New Pricing: The new pricing changes reflect to the other key enhancements in the CFA program including Practical Skills Modules (PSM) and the three specialized pathways introduced for Level 3 CFA candidates.  Despite the pricing updates, the CFA Institute remains committed to offering a programme of unparalleled value. With the introduction of new enhancements to the CFA curriculum, CFA Institute wishes to impart skills to students which are highly relevant to the growing and changing financial landscape. 
• Why Did the Pricing Change?: The price adjustments have been made on account of inflation, evolving economic conditions and expanded programme offerings.

New CFA Exam Fee

The CFA exam fee structure would look like the following as depicted in the table below:

Levels	CFA program fee 2025	CFA program fee 2026
CFA One-Time Enrollment Fee	USD 350	USD 0
CFA Level 1 Early Bird Registration Fee	USD 990	USD 1,140
CFA Level 1 Registration Fee (Standard)	USD 1,290	USD 1,490
CFA Level 2 Early Bird Registration Fee	USD 990	USD 1,140
CFA Level 2 Registration Fee (Standard)	USD 1,290	USD 1,490
CFA Level 3 Early Bird Registration Fee	USD 1,090	USD 1,240
CFA Level 3 Registration Fee (Standard)	USD 1,390	USD 1,590

The CFA application form 2026 for the February exam will be released on April 29, 2025. During this registration period, the new pricing norms will be made effective. The current pricing structure will remain unchanged for exams scheduled before February 2026. This move aligns with the CFA Institute’s commitment to improving affordability while maintaining the quality of the CFA Program. Stay updated for further details on how these changes impact candidates worldwide.

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