CFA® Exam Dates 2026 and What They Mean for Levels I II and III

Planning Your CFA Exams in 2026

At some point, every CFA candidate stops casually browsing and starts opening a calendar.

That shift changes everything.

Suddenly, the question is no longer What is the CFA Program? It becomes far more practical. When should I sit? How long will the results take? If I pass, can I realistically move to the next level this year? If I wait, what does that do to my timeline?

Looking at the CFA exam dates 2026 might seem straightforward at first glance. A few months listed here, a few testing windows there.

But once you begin mapping those dates against work demands, family responsibilities, study hours and the recovery time you know you will need, the picture becomes more complicated.

And that is exactly where good planning begins.

This guide will walk you through the CFA exam schedule 2026 across Levels I, II and III, then help you understand the consequences behind each option. Because knowing the date is helpful. Knowing what the date means for your path is what actually moves you forward.

CFA Exam Structure Overview (Quick Refresher)

Let’s anchor the basics quickly.

The CFA Program has three exams:

• Level I
• Level II
• Level III

All exams are computer-based and offered during specific windows rather than on a single global test day.

You must pass each level before registering for the next one. There is no skipping ahead and no parallel attempts.

Simple rules.

What makes planning tricky is the interaction between exam windows, results release timelines and registration deadlines.

Keep that in mind as we move level-by-level.

CFA Level I Exam Dates 2026

Level I offers the most flexibility and the most windows. For many candidates, it is the entry point into building a long-term exam strategy.

Available windows

Based on the current cadence used by CFA Institute, Level I is expected to be offered in:

• February
• May
• August
• November

Each window typically spans several days, allowing you to choose an appointment within the broader testing period.

Registration timing

For each window, you can expect two major deadline phases:

• Early registration
• Standard registration

Early deadlines usually fall several months before the exam window opens. Standard deadlines come later but still close well before the testing period.

If you are aiming for maximum flexibility, earlier is always safer. Seats fill, schedules change and life happens.

Results release expectations

Level I results are typically released about 5 to 7 weeks after the exam window closes.

This timeline becomes critical if you hope to sit for Level II within the same calendar year.

Planning insight most candidates miss

Your Level II eligibility clock starts when results arrive, not when you finish the Level I exam.

Therefore, if you sit in February, you might receive results in early to mid-April. That could still leave room for a later Level II window.

If you sit in November, you are realistically pushing Level II into the following year.

Dates create pathways. They also close them.

CFA Level II Exam Dates 2026

Level II is where planning errors become expensive.

By this stage, most candidates are working full-time and study hours are harder to secure. At the same time, many want to accelerate.

Available windows

The expected CFA Level 2 exam dates 2026 windows follow the recent pattern:

• May
• August
• November

Registration vs Level I results

Here is where theory and reality collide.

Technically, if your Level I results are released before the Level II registration deadline, you may be eligible.

Practically, the time left to prepare might be extremely tight.

Example:
Pass Level I in February. Receive results around April. The May Level II window is right there.

Possible? Yes.
Comfortable for most working professionals? Rarely.

The compressed timeline problem

Level II demands deeper application, item set stamina and broader integration across topics. Jumping in with only a few weeks is often more stressful than strategic.

This is why many candidates who can move forward immediately still choose the August or November window instead.

Eligibility is not the same thing as readiness.

CFA Level III Exam Dates 2026

Level III has fewer windows and longer grading cycles. Planning needs to start earlier than most candidates expect.

Available windows

Traditionally, Level III is offered in:

• February
• August

Results timing

Results typically arrive in about 8 to 10 weeks.

Because of that, missing one window can mean a significant delay before your next opportunity.

Strategic implication

If you are entering Level III in 2026, you should already be thinking about:

• Workload peaks
• Personal commitments
• How much writing practice you need
• Recovery time in case of a retake

This level rewards deliberate pacing.

CFA Exam Registration Deadlines and Fees 2026

When candidates search for CFA registration deadlines 2026, they often focus only on price tiers.

Cost matters, of course.

But timing flexibility matters more.

Early registration advantages

Registering early typically gives you:

• More test center availability
• More time to build a study plan
• A buffer in case personal or professional obligations change

It also reduces the psychological tendency to procrastinate.

Standard registration realities

Waiting longer may feel safer if you are unsure about readiness but it narrows your options. Popular locations can fill and rescheduling becomes harder.

Refunds and deferrals

CFA Institute has specific policies regarding deferrals and paid rescheduling. These are limited and situation-dependent. They should be treated as safety nets, not planning tools.

Your best strategy is still choosing the right window from the start.

CFA Exam Results Timeline and Why This Matters for 2026 Planning

If there is one concept that separates smooth progression from frustration, it is this one.

Results timing controls your future.

Here are the typical ranges:

• Level I: about 5 to 7 weeks
• Level II: about 6 to 8 weeks
• Level III: about 8 to 10 weeks

Now think about what must happen after the results arrive.

You must:

• Confirm your pass
• Register for the next level
• Build a study schedule
• Restart momentum

If the next window opens too soon, the preparation runway may be unrealistic even if registration is technically open.

That is why smart candidates map the entire year, not just the next exam.

Can You Take Multiple CFA Levels in 2026?

This is one of the most common planning questions attached to cfa exam windows.

Let’s break it down honestly.

Level I to Level II in the same year

Yes, it can be done.

It is most feasible when:

• Level I is taken early in the year
• Results arrive several months before the next Level II window
• Your work schedule allows immediate transition

It becomes far less practical when the time between results and the next exam shrinks below a few months.

Ambitious is good. Rushed is dangerous.

Level II to Level III in the same year

This path exists on paper but is rarely advisable.

Level III requires a different style of preparation, particularly for constructed response questions. Candidates benefit from reflection time after Level II.

Trying to compress that transition often leads to burnout.

Why official rules and real life differ

The rules define eligibility.

Real life defines sustainability.

And sustainability is what gets people across the finish line.

Choosing the Right CFA Exam Window in 2026

The best window depends on who you are and what you are optimizing for.

First-time candidates

Give yourself space. Your first attempt sets the tone for the program. Extra preparation time usually improves confidence and retention.

Retakers

Balance urgency with realism. Quick turnarounds can work if your previous attempt was close, but fatigue is real.

Working professionals

Map busy seasons at work before committing. Travel, audits, product launches or reporting cycles can quietly erase study hours.

Fastest completion seekers

Speed is attractive. But remember that a failed accelerated attempt often costs more time than a steady plan.

Progress that you can maintain beats progress that overwhelms you.

Where to Find Official CFA Exam Dates

Even the best planning guide should point you to the primary authority.

CFA Institute maintains the official and most current schedule for all exam windows. While the general pattern tends to remain stable, exact testing days and deadlines can shift slightly from year to year.

Bookmark the official source and double-check before finalizing registration.

Plan the Year, Not Just the Exam

The CFA journey is not a single event. It is a chain of decisions that influence one another.

Smart candidates treat CFA exam dates 2026 as part of a broader system that includes preparation depth, work obligations, mental stamina and contingency planning.

Rushing because a window exists is rarely the best move.

Choose dates that allow you to study properly, absorb the curriculum, and walk into the test center confident rather than hurried.

A well-planned year almost always beats an aggressive one.

Frequently Asked Questions About CFA Exam Dates 2026

When is the CFA exam in 2026?

The CFA exam in 2026 will be offered across multiple windows, depending on the level you are sitting for. Instead of one global test day, CFA Institute schedules several testing periods throughout the year.

Level I is typically available four times, commonly in February, May, August and November. Level II is generally offered three times, often in May, August and November. Level III usually appears twice, most often in February and August.

What matters for planning is not just identifying the month. You should also think about when registration closes, how long results will take and whether the next window gives you enough preparation time if you pass.

A date on its own is information. A date connected to your life is a strategy.

What are the CFA Level 1 exam dates 2026?

The expected CFA Level 1 exam dates 2026 follow the established multi-window format, with testing opportunities spread across February, May, August and November.

Each of those windows includes several possible appointment days. Candidates select a specific slot at an authorized test center within the broader period.

If you are building a progression plan, the most important factor is where that window sits in the calendar year. An early Level I attempt may open the door to Level II later in 2026. A late attempt will almost certainly push your next step into 2027.

For this reason, the right question becomes less about availability and more about what kind of timeline you want to create for yourself.

What are the CFA Level 3 exam dates 2026?

For candidates approaching the final stage, the CFA Level 3 exam dates 2026 are typically concentrated in two windows, usually February and August.

Since Level III grading takes longer, results can arrive two to two and a half months after the exam. That extended wait influences everything from retake strategy to career planning.

If February is not successful, August becomes the next realistic opportunity. If August does not work out, the timeline can stretch well into the following year.

That is why Level III candidates benefit from choosing their window with extra care. The spacing between attempts is wider and the consequences of a delay are bigger.

What is the CFA results release timeline?

Understanding the CFA results release timeline is essential if you are trying to move efficiently from one level to the next.

While exact dates vary by administration, historical patterns are fairly consistent:

• Level I results usually arrive within about 5 to 7 weeks.
• Level II results tend to follow in roughly 6 to 8 weeks.
• Level III often requires around 8 to 10 weeks due to the constructed response component.

This waiting period can quietly reshape your next move. By the time you receive confirmation of a pass, registration for the next window might already be approaching its final deadline.

Strong planners build these weeks into their roadmap from the beginning rather than reacting to them later.

Can you take CFA levels in the same year?

Yes, under certain conditions, you can take multiple levels within the same calendar year.

But feasibility depends on timing, preparation, stamina and how quickly you can transition after results are released.

Moving from Level I to Level II in the same year is most realistic when the first attempt happens early. Even then, the study runway may feel short.

Progressing from Level II to Level III within a single year is technically possible in some sequences, yet it is far less common in practice. The adjustment in exam style and the depth of preparation required make rapid transitions challenging.

Candidates who try to accelerate should evaluate not just eligibility but energy, work commitments, and their tolerance for sustained pressure.

Speed can be impressive. Sustainability is what earns the charter.