Last updated on May 15th, 2026 at 03:01 pm
A CFA course is one of the most sought-after certifications for professionals looking for a job in the finance sector. CFA full form is Chartered Financial Analyst which is a highly recognised designation offered by the US-based CFA Institute. If you want to enhance your career in investment management, then you must pursue the CFA course. After completing the course, you will become a CFA Charter holder with several exciting opportunities and desirable salary packages. So, let’s learn more about the CFA course details.
What is CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)?
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is one of the most recognised designations in the world, offered by the CFA Institute based in the US. CFAs are in high demand for various positions in companies for their dedicated knowledge in finance. They are employed for different roles, such as Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance, Consulting and Risk Management.
A CFA is recognised for their extensive understanding of advanced investment analysis along with effective portfolio management skills. And, candidates can achieve these skills through the CFA course, containing three levels of examinations.
CFA Eligibility Criteria
Now that you know ‘what is CFA?’, let’s understand the CFA eligibility criteria. Here’s what you need to meet to enrol in the CFA course:
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- You must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
- Before applying for the CFA Level 2 exam, you must complete your undergraduate degree.
- You must have 4,000 hours or a minimum of 3 years of professional work experience and higher education or a combination of both.
- It’s not necessary that your professional work experience should be related to the investment sector, it could be any paid internship or job.
- It is essential to have a valid international passport to ensure you are authorised at all test centres around the world.
- Then, you need to fill out a Professional Conduct Statement form and submit it.
CFA Syllabus
The CFA syllabus consists of 10 topics, further divided into their equivalent sub-topics as mentioned in the tables below:
CFA Level 1
| CFA Syllabus – Level 1 | Weightage |
| Ethical and Professional Standards | 15-20% |
| Quantitative Methods | 8-12% |
| Economics | 8-12% |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 13-17% |
| Corporate Finance | 8-12% |
| Equity Investments | 10-12% |
| Fixed Income Investments | 10-12% |
| Derivatives | 5-8% |
| Alternative Investments | 5-8% |
| Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning | 5-8% |
CFA Level 2
| CFA Syllabus – Level 2 | Weightage |
| Fixed Income Investments | 10-15% |
| Derivatives | 5-10% |
| Alternative Investments | 5-10% |
| Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning | 10-15% |
| Ethical and Professional Standards | 10-15% |
| Quantitative Methods | 5-10% |
| Economics | 5-10% |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 10-15% |
| Corporate Finance | 5-10% |
| Equity Investments | 10-15% |
CFA Level 3
| CFA Syllabus – Level 3 | Weightage |
| Ethical and Professional Standards | 10-15% |
| Quantitative Methods | 0% |
| Economics | 5-10% |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 0% |
| Corporate Finance | 0% |
| Equity Investments | 10-15% |
| Derivatives | 5-10% |
| Alternative Investments | 5-10% |
| Fixed Income Investments | 15-20% |
| Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning | 35-40% |
CFA Course Duration
To complete all three levels of the program, the average CFA course duration varies from 1.5 years to 4 years, depending on the candidate’s study plan, work promises and personal life.
CFA Course Fees
While registering for the CFA course, you must pay a one-time program enrolment fee. So, let’s understand the structure of CFA course fees in the table below:
| Specifications | CFA Course Fees (in USD) | CFA Course Fees (in INR) |
| Early registration fee | USD 940 | INR 77,193.83 |
| Standard registration fee | USD 1,250 | INR 1,02,651.38 |
| One-time enrolment fee | USD 350 | INR 28,574 |
| Rescheduling fee | USD 250 | INR 20,410 |
CFA Exam Dates 2024
Refer to the table below for the CFA exam dates 2024-25 for all three levels of the program.
| CFA Exam Dates | February Period | May Period | August Period | November Period |
| CFA Level 1 | 19th – 25th Feb | 15th – 21st May | 20th – 26th Aug | 13th – 19th Nov |
| CFA Level 2 | N/A | 22nd – 26th May | 27th – 31st Aug | 20th – 24th Nov |
| CFA Level 3 | 15th – 18th February | N/A | 16th Aug – 19th Sept | N/A |
Conclusion
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is an extremely recognised designation around the world in the finance and investment sector. If you have just finished your graduation or are in the final year of your bachelor’s degree, then you are eligible to register for the CFA course and become a successful Charter holder.
So, wish to boost your career in the world of finance? Then, check out the CFA course – Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) offered by Imarticus Learning, one of the top learning partners in India to be authorised by the CFA Institute.
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