CFA Exam Dates 2026: Schedule, Registration Deadlines and Fees

The CFA exam schedule isn't identical across levels  each one runs on its own cadence, so knowing your specific window matters more than knowing the general calendar. In 2026, Level I is offered four times a year (February, May, August, and November), Level II is offered three times (May, August, and November), and Level III is offered only twice (February and August). This staggered structure is the CFA Institute's way of managing global test-center capacity while still giving candidates multiple entry points throughout the year.

As of now, the February, May, and August 2026 windows have already closed, which means the November 2026 window is your next opportunity to sit for Level I or Level II this year. Level III candidates will need to wait for the February 2027 window, since there's no November sitting for that level.

Each of the CFA exam windows spans several days rather than a single date, and your exact appointment within that window depends on when you book with Prometric seats are first-come, first-served, so earlier registrants get better pick of dates and test centers. Here's how the 2026 windows break down by level:

Notice that Level II always follows about a week after Level I within a shared window, and Level III only appears in February and August never May or November. Building your study plan around these windows, rather than around a vague "sometime this year" target, is what keeps most candidates on schedule.

Since Level II is the section most candidates get tripped up on timing-wise, it's worth calling out the CFA Level 2 exam dates specifically. In 2026, Level II runs in three windows: May 19–23, August 25–29, and November 18–22. Unlike Level I, there's no February sitting for Level II, so if you clear Level I in February, your earliest realistic Level II attempt is the following May  assuming you meet the minimum gap requirement between levels.

One detail candidates frequently miss: CFA Institute's eligibility rules mean Level II and Level III candidates can generally only sit once per calendar year for their level, and consecutive windows less than six months apart aren't permitted. In practice, that means a failed May Level II attempt usually means retrying the following May, not the next available window a few months later so getting your preparation right the first time carries extra weight at this stage.

The CFA Level 3 exam dates are the most limited of the three levels just two windows a year, February and August. In 2026, that meant January 29–February 1 and August 13–17. If you're not ready for the August window, your next opportunity isn't until February 2027, so Level III candidates need to plan their study timeline with far less flexibility than Level I or II candidates have.

Because Level III blends item sets with constructed-response (essay-style) questions, many candidates underestimate the writing and time-management practice this level demands  something worth factoring in well before your registration deadline, not after.

Every CFA exam window has two registration deadlines early and standard and the gap between them can save you real money. The CFA registration deadline structure works like this: early registration typically opens several months before the window and closes roughly 4–5 months out, while standard registration stays open until about 6–10 weeks before the exam dates. Missing the standard deadline entirely means waiting for the next window.

For the November 2026 window, for example, early registration closed April 15, 2026, and standard registration closed August 11, 2026. That's the pattern to expect for any future window: mark your early deadline the moment you decide on a testing window, since procrastinating past it is the single most common (and most avoidable) reason candidates overpay.

CFA registration fees follow a simple two-tier structure across Level I and Level II: USD 1,140 for early registration and USD 1,490 for standard registration. Level III costs slightly more USD 1,240 early and USD 1,590 standard since its constructed-response questions take longer to grade. The one-time USD 350 enrollment fee that new candidates used to pay on their first registration was eliminated in April 2025, so first-time candidates now pay the same registration fee as everyone else.

On top of the registration fee, rescheduling your appointment within the same window costs USD 250, so it's worth booking your exact test date and center as soon as your registration is confirmed rather than leaving it until the last minute.

If you're wondering how to register for CFA exam sessions for the first time, the process is more straightforward than most candidates expect:

• Create your CFA Institute account and confirm your eligibility (a bachelor's degree, final-year status, or equivalent professional work experience).
• Choose your exam window based on the CFA exam schedule above, factoring in your available study time.
• Pay your registration fee before the early deadline to lock in the lower rate.
• Book your Prometric appointment : a specific date and test center within your chosen window. This is a separate step from paying your registration fee and skipping it means you're not actually booked for the exam.
• Prepare your identification documents in advance, since mismatched ID details are a common reason candidates get turned away on exam day.
• Track your scheduling deadline separately from your registration deadline missing either one can cost you the entire window.

Registering early doesn't just save money; it also gives you first pick of test center locations and exam dates within your window, which matters more than most first-time candidates realize.

Getting your CFA exam dates and deadlines right is half the battle the other half is having a study plan that actually gets you exam-ready before your window closes. NorthStar Academy's mentor-led CFA training helps you map your preparation against the real CFA exam schedule, so you're registering with confidence instead of scrambling before a deadline. Start your journey with NorthStar Academy today, and turn exam-date anxiety into a plan you can follow through to charter.