CFA Level I Cost
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $1,490
- Issuing body
- CFA Institute
- Domain
- Finance & accounting
- Validity
- Charter after 3 levels + experience
Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.
The CFA Level I examination is administered by the CFA Institute. As of June 2026, the official exam fee for a single attempt is $1,490. This fee covers the examination itself only and does not include third-party training programs, study materials, prep courses, or retake attempts, each of which may carry separate costs. Candidates should verify the current fee directly with the CFA Institute before budgeting or registering, as certification bodies adjust pricing periodically.
The CFA designation is most commonly pursued by professionals in financial and investment analysis. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for financial and investment analysts was $101,350. This figure represents the midpoint wage for the occupation and should not be construed as a guaranteed salary, raise, or income outcome associated with earning the CFA credential. For complete information regarding eligibility requirements, current fees, payment options, and credential requirements, candidates should consult the CFA Institute's official website.
Related pay (occupation median). The U.S. BLS reports a median annual wage of $101,350 (typically $62,410–$180,550 from the 10th to the 90th percentile) for Financial and Investment Analysts, the occupation this certification most often targets. That is the occupation’s pay, not a guaranteed lift from the certificate — actual pay depends on role, employer, location and experience. Source: BLS OEWS national file.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Certification | CFA Level I |
| Issuing body | CFA Institute |
| Base exam fee | $1,490 |
| Fee notes | standard reg $1,490 / early $1,140 (per level, 3 levels) |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor's or final-year student + 4,000 hrs work/education |
| Validity / renewal | Charter after 3 levels + experience |
What this fee does and doesn’t include
The figure here is the official-body exam fee for a single attempt. It does not include third-party training, prep courses, study materials, or retake fees — those are separate and vary by provider. Membership-tiered bodies may offer a lower member rate (noted above). Confirm the live fee on the issuer’s registration page before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the CFA Level I exam?
Does this include a prep course?
Exam fee compiled from issuer’s registration page →, verified June 2026. How we compile this. Confirm the current fee before you pay — bodies re-price periodically.
Prerequisites & how to register → · Prep guide → · Compare Finance & accounting certs →