Exam registration is a quick three-step online process: completing an exam registration form, signing the Candidate Agreement, and purchasing an exam.
1. Completing an exam registration form:
When you are ready to enroll in the program, the first step is to register for an exam. This entails creating an account on our website and completing an online exam registration form. It should take approximately 20 minutes to complete this form. (If you already have an online account, but cannot remember your password, click here.)
2. Signing the Candidate Agreement:
The next step is to execute the online Candidate Agreement. Once your exam registration form has been completed, you will be directed to
the Candidate Agreement, which must be signed prior to purchasing an exam.
3. Purchasing an exam:
Purchase, the third and final step in the exam registration process, is
facilitated by Verisign, a highly respected, secure credit-card
processor. The program fees comprise the non-refundable one-time
program enrollment fee and the exam registration fee (refundable only
within the first 30 days after purchase). Candidates who register within the first six weeks of any registration period receive a 10%
discount off the exam registration fee. Please visit the Fee
Information section of our website for details.
Preparing for the exam:
After the purchase is completed, please download your level-specific Study Guide. Used in conjunction with the curriculum readings, the Study Guide delineates what you are expected to know for the exams.
In order to use the Study Guide properly, you must separately purchase the curriculum readings to which the Guide refers. The CAIA Association does not sell or maintain an inventory of these readings. We provide direct links to online vendors, some of whom offer the readings to CAIA candidates at discounted rates. For a list of current curriculum readings, please visit our Curriculum Readings page.
For additional assistance in studying for exams, many candidates choose to participate in Study Groups. These groups are organized by candidates themselves, not by the CAIA Association. (Access to the Study Groups section is limited to currently registered candidates only.)
Scheduling the exam appointment:
Also, after your payment has been processed, you will receive a confirmation of registration e-mail from the Association that will explain when and how to schedule your exam appointment with our global testing provider. You will be asked to select a location and an available date and time within the two-week testing window to schedule this appointment. For a current list of testing centers, see Exam Locations.
Becoming a member:
Once you have passed both the Level I and Level II exams and met our other membership requirements, you will be eligible to apply for CAIA membership. Upon acceptance of your application and receipt of your annual dues, you will be awarded the right to use the CAIA designation.
As a member, you will receive your official CAIA charter and will have access to all member benefits, including eligibility to attend our international chapter meetings and exclusive CAIA seminars, access to other members (both online and through international chapters), and much more.