FAQs | CAIA (2024)

Paying for registration is an online process during the open registration period. The preferred method of payment is by credit card. We accept American Express, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover.

Please see the Fee Schedule for other payment options and further details.

All fees must be paid in full by a single party. Partial, split, or multi-party payments are not accepted.

Please visit the Association Partner Discount page.

Note: CAIA Association does not grant retroactive discounts. Eligible Candidates must apply for the appropriate discount prior to registration or forfeit said discount.

Please visit theExam Registration Dates and Fees page.

Individuals who register during the early registration period automatically receive discounted pricing on the exam session registration fee only. Exam retake fees are not eligible for the early registration discount.

• Test with Confidence– OP exam overview by our online exam provider, OnVue.
• Choosing theexam formatthat is right for you
• Tip & Tricksfor a successful online proctored exam
• Digital White BoardTutorialandTips.Note:Digital whiteboard contents will now be available for the duration of your CAIA exam, throughout both sections, assuming no connection interruption. This is a change from previously provided information.
• Need Accommodations?Checkherefor a full list of comfort aids from Pearson VUE.
• Exam Day Support -There is a chat function within the exam where you will be able to ask your proctor for assistance. However, they will not answer exam content-specific questions.We also highly recommend you contact CAIA atcandidate@caia.orgimmediately following your exam to notify CAIA of your experience.

Arrive at the test center or begin your online check-in process, at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to allow time for check-in procedures. Late arrivals may not be permitted to sit for the exam.

Please refer to the Identification and Calculator policy in the Candidate Policy Manual for requirements.

• If your IDs do not meet the requirements, you will not be allowed to test.
• If the Calculator is not one of the “approved” calculators, you will not be able to use it. Test sites will not have an approved calculator for you to “borrow” for your exam.

No pen or paper is allowed to be used during the exam.

• In a test center, a dry erase board and marker are provided.

For the OnVUE exam, Candidates must use the online digital whiteboard available, TutorialandTips, or the scratch pad built into the exam.

Level I exam results are usually released within five weeks of the last examination day. Level II, which includes essays, takes more time. Level II results are generally released within eight weeks of the last examination day.

When results are released, you will receive an email with notification that your results have been uploaded to your CAIA account, with instructions detailing how to retrieve them. Candidates are encouraged to keep their contact information up to date to ensure the timely receipt of exam results.

You may use CAIA after your name with or without the registered marks. Proper: Jane Smith, CAIA® -OR- Jane Smith, CAIA

For details on the proper usage of the CAIA marks, please refer to the Intellectual Property Policyin thePoliciessection of our website.

Please see the Candidate Policy Manual for further detail.

Click here for Pearson VUE test Center, location specific, guidelines.

Schedule Your Exam: for both Pearson VUE test sites and OnVUE proctored exams. .

Neither the CAIA Association nor Pearson VUE can guarantee availability of appointments for any given exam, location, or specific date.

Appointments are scheduled on a first-come/first-served basis. Candidates are encouraged to schedule appointments as soon as possible, as examination centers have limited capacity. If a Candidate’s preferred location and time are not available, it is solely the Candidate's responsibility to locate, and arrange for transportation to, an alternate testing center. Deferments will not be granted to Candidates who are unable to sit for the exam due to lack of preferred site availability or failure to schedule an appointment.

We are pleased to offer an easy way to both help you display a visual depiction of your accomplishment and enable easy verification for employers and clients. In addition to credibility, your digital badge conveys critical information, such as what it takes to earn the certification, key skills you’ve demonstrated, and when you earned the certification. A digital badge is a web-enabled version of your Charter, which can be verified online in real-time. Since it is digital, it can be shared across the internet for maximum visibility and recognition.

Find out more about how to access and use your Digital Badgehere.

If you need to complete a verification for an employment screening or background check, please send a request along witha signed release from your candidateto the appropriate area of CAIA:

• For verifying a CAIA Membership, send your request tomember@caia.org
• For verifying a Candidate’s enrollment in the CAIA Charter program, send your request tocandidate@caia.org
• For verifying completion of the Fundamentals of Alternative Investment course, send your request tofundamentals@caia.org.

NOTE:If you need to complete a verification for an employment screening or background check,pleasecomplete the form here.

A one-year Membership costs US$350 and a two-year Membership is US$650.

• CAIA also offers an Emerging Market rate for Membership. A one-year Emerging Market Membership costs US$100 and a two-year is US$200.At this time, the emerging market rate is based on theMSCI Emerging Market Index.

• Pending invoices can be printed directly from your account at caia.org. Log in to your CAIA account with your email and password and click on My Account in the top right corner of your screen to access your profile. All past invoices will be stored on your profile under the “My Invoices” section.
  
• If you need an invoice for submission to your employer, please complete the Membership application or renewal process, and select Pay by Check or Wire when you reach your shopping cart. Your unpaid invoice will be available to be printed or saved from within your profile under the “My Invoices” tab.

• 1 Year Membership:Ideal for professionals looking for annual access to CAIA's resources and community.
  
• 2 Year Membership:Offers a longer-term engagement with CAIA, providing all the benefits of Membership for two years at a reduced rate.
  
• Retired Membership:Designed for active CAIA Members who are unemployed, retired, full-time students, leaving the industry, or experiencing other extenuating financial or personal circ*mstances and are unable to pay the full Membership fee.
  
• Affiliate Membership:Suitable for CAIA Candidates who have passed the Level II exam and are working to meet the requirements for full Membership.

has the required experience of:

• holds a bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) and has one (1) year of professional experience in the field of alternative investment analysis or other regulatory, banking, financial, or related field,OR
• has four (4) years of professional experience in the field of alternative investment analysis or other regulatory, banking, financial, or related field,OR
• is a CFA charter holder in good standing;
• provides the name and e-mail of two (2) peopleas professional references;
• agrees to abide by the CAIA Candidate and Member Agreement, including the use of the CAIA designation as an exclusive right for Full and Retired Members whose membership is in good standing and fully paid; and
• submits payment to join CAIAA after passing CAIAA’s Level II exam, and thereafter submits a renewal payment on or before the expiration date of May 31st.

• Please keep in mind that we offer Affiliate Membership as an option if you do not meet the CAIA Membership requirements when you pass your Level II exam. Please contactmember@caia.orgto request an Affiliate Membership.

Yes, only CAIA Charterholders in good standing have theexclusiveright to use the CAIA designation.

If you allow your Membership to lapse, you will have forfeited the right to use the CAIA designation.

Pleasekeep in mind that only CAIA Members in good standinghave theexclusiveright to use the CAIA designation.

• To enjoy a full year of benefits, we encourage you to renew your Membership on time. Please alsokeep in mind that we do not prorate Membership dues. Regardless of when you first apply for or renew your Membership, your Membership always expires on May 31.

Regardless of when you passed your Level II exam, your Membership expires on May 31. You may renew at anytime prior to May 31.

• When you log in to your account, you will have access to the renewal link in the graybox at the top of your user profile.

• Pending invoices can be printed directly from your account at caia.org. Log in to your CAIA account with your email and password and click on My Account in the top right corner of your screen to access your profile. All past invoices will be stored on your profile under the “My Invoices” section.
• If you need an invoice for submission to your employer, please complete the Membership application or renewal process, and select Pay by Check or Wire when you reach your shopping cart. Your unpaid invoice will be available to be printed or saved from within your profile under the “My Invoices” tab.

Retired Membership is reserved for active CAIA Memberswho are unemployed, retired, full-time students, leaving the industry, or experiencing other extenuating financial or personal circ*mstances and are unable to pay the full Membership fee.

During Membership renewal, active Members may apply for Retired Membership through the renewal process.

To qualify for Retired Membership Status, Members are required to do the following:

1. Select the Retired Membership option when renewing your Membership. 

2. Agree on an annual basis to abide by the Member Agreement. 

3. Submit payment of US$175 for the annual Retired Membership fee.

CAIA does not make distinctions between Retired Status Members and full CAIA Members.  Retired Status Members enjoy all the benefits and rights of full CAIA Membership.

Access to the Official Digital CAIA Curriculum, is included with your registration fee. Instructions are provided in your Registration Confirmation email. Additional study tools are located on the Curriculum and Study Tools page of our website.

The CAIA curriculum and CAIA study tools are the only preparation materials developed by the CAIA Association and are the Candidate’s best source of information regarding what content is eligible to be tested on the CAIA exams. All the content on the CAIA exams comes directly from the CAIA curriculum readings.

• CAIA Members with three or more years of industry experience are eligible for membership with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (CISI).

• CAIA Members with at least three years of industry experience qualify for full membership (MCSI).

• CAIA Members with less than three years of industry experience are eligible to join as Associate (ACSI) members.