Earn your place in the Portfolio for the Future™

Work smarter to deliver better investor outcomes with the CAIA credential

Do you have the skills and confidence needed to master the broad array of asset classes and the strategies and practices surrounding them within the competitive alts landscape? The CAIA® Charter program will ensure that you do! It’s an investment. A smart one.

you're in good company

13

13K

MEMBERS
WORLDWIDE

33

CHAPTERS AROUND
THE GLOBE

80

ACADEMIC & ASSOCIATION
PARTNERSHIPS

Why invest in a CAIA designation?

Global Professional

Advance your career with globally-recognized knowledge and credibility in alternative investments.

Explore Membership

Relevant Knowledge

Gain building blocks for creating portfolios driven by evaluating all investment options beyond generic portfolio models.

Review Curriculum

Future Focused

Be prepared to meet client demands in a new era where fiduciaries need to work smarter to deliver investor outcomes.

Discover Thought Leadership

Earn Industry Credibility

Successful completion of the two exams puts you among an elite group of more than 13,000 professionals worldwide. And your education doesn’t end once you’ve passed and join Membership.

Discover How

Curriculum TOPICS

Level I

Professional Standards and Ethics
Introduction to Alternative Investments
Real Assets
Private Equity
Hedge Funds
Structured Products

Level II

Emerging Topics
Ethics, Regulation, and ESG
Models
Institutional Asset Owners and Investment Policies
Risk and Risk Management Methods for Alternative Investing
Accessing Alternative Investments
Due Diligence and selecting Strategies
Volatility and Complex Strategies

90%

of CAIA Members indicated that the CAIA designation has helped them to better serve the end investor.

Whether you are just starting your CAIA journey or are working toward its completion, earning the CAIA designation is a hallmark of the responsible and informed fiduciary.

Given their diversified cash flow streams and returns, private markets continue to be a growing fixture of patient, long term portfolios. As such, the need to have proficiency across these sophisticated strategies, asset classes and instruments is critical for today’s capital allocator. As a proud CAIA charterholder, I have seen the practical benefits in building a strong private markets foundation, allowing me to better assist my clients.

Jayne Bok, CAIA, CFA
Head of Investments, Asia, Willis Tower Watson

Get the globally-recognized credential to initiate your path to career enhancement through deeper alts knowledge and distinction.

Register Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

All you need to know about the CAIA Exam, including resources available for you to thrive.

Who will benefit from enrolling in the CAIA program?▲

Professionals who want to develop a deep level of knowledge and demonstrated expertise in alternative investments and their contribution to the diversified portfolio should pursue the CAIA Charter including,

Asset Allocators
Risk managers
Analysts
Portfolio managers
Traders
Consultants
Business development/marketing
Operations
Advisors

How many exams will I need to take? ▲

The CAIA Charter is granted upon completion of two levels of qualifying exams, combined with relevant professional experience.

What study materials are available? ▲

The CAIA curricula are written and prepared by the CAIA Association and are the only resource used to write exams. Program materials are reviewed and updated annually by industry experts and practitioners. For your convenience, the curriculum is available digitally and included with a paid exam registration.

When is the next CAIA Exam? ▲

The Level I CAIA Exam will be administered from September 4, 2023 – September 15, 2023; the Level II CAIA Exam window is from September 18, 2023 – September 29, 2023.

What is the registration deadline? ▲

Early registration – which offers a US$400 discount for first-time Candidates – begins April 10, 2023 and ends on June 5, 2023. Regular registration ends on August 14, 2023.

What is the cost of the CAIA Charter program? ▲

For first-time Level I registrants, there is a one-time enrollment fee of US$400 plus a standard registration cost that includes the digital curriculum of US$1,395. Learn more about our early registration discount and fee policies here.

Do I have to take the exam in person? ▲

No. We offer an online-proctored option as well. Carefully read the OnVUE physical and system requirements to determine if you meet the technology requirements.

What is the timeline for completing the program? ▲

A minimum of 200 hours of study time is recommended for each level of exam. The Level I and Level II exams are offered twice each year, in September and March, giving Candidates the opportunity to complete the CAIA program within a single year, should they choose to do so.

What do I achieve after successfully completing the program? ▲

After passing the Level II exam you are eligible, with relevant professional experience, to join the CAIA Association as a Member and receive the CAIA Charter. You will be part of an elite group of more than 13,000 professionals worldwide. Only after joining the Association are you eligible to add the CAIA designation to your professional profiles.

Register today for the CAIA exam to get a globally-recognized credential that will provide you with a clear career path – become a CAIA Charterholder.