"Alternative" is the New Core.
Already a CFA charterholder?
Earn the CAIA designation with just one exam. Move beyond traditional models—because "well-rounded" is the baseline, but future-ready is the goal.
Direct to Level II
As a CFA charterholder, you can fast track your credential by proceeding directly to the advanced curriculum.
Master the New Script
Go beyond the basics to decode the systems shaping the future of capital.
Rewire Your Strategy
Move past outdated models with insights built for today’s volatility.
Own the Edge
Evaluate risk through a sharper lens and find resilience where others see only uncertainty.
- CAIA Ethical Principles
- Institutional Asset Owners
- Asset Allocation
- Risk and Risk Management
- Methods and Models
- Accessing Alternative Investments
- Due Diligence and Selecting Managers
- Volatility and Complex Strategies
- Universal Investment Considerations
- Emerging Topics
The CAIA 2026 Curriculum:
Built for Reality, Not Theory.
CAIA has retired the clutter to make room for what actually moves the needle in today's portfolios.
Real-Time Ethics
A codified standard for making tough calls in a fractured market.
Growth Equity
Master the deal structures and valuations driving institutional portfolios.
Strategic Rebalancing
Modern tools for handling illiquid assets when markets shift fast.
Digital Integration
Alternative investing is no longer alternative. It’s part of the core.
Defining Ethics in Alternative Investing.
In an era defined by complexity and global risk, alternative investments often operate where market precedent is unclear. Rather than simply teaching existing ethics, CAIA has defined the ethical framework for this environment through our eight core principles. Fully integrated into our curriculum, these principles give the program its ethical foundation—supporting a charter recognized in over 100 countries and preparing investment professionals to apply sound judgment where it matters most.
Join 14,000+ global experts leading the alternative investment industry.
Earning the CAIA Charter is a commitment—usually about 200 hours of study per level—but you won't be doing it alone. You’re joining a global network of professionals who are all working toward the same goal: setting a higher standard for expertise in alternative investments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Candidates who register for the CFA Stackable Credential Program’s One Exam Advantage Option must:
- Be a CFA charterholder, in good standing
- Have a CFA digital badge, verifiable by CAIA Association
For more information, please review our complete CFA Stackable Credential Eligibility Policy.
To take advantage of the CFA Stackable program exam registration, you may begin the process at our Exam Registration Dates & Fees page:
Select “Registration is Open” and create an account.
Choose exam type: select “Register for the One Exam Advantage Option Exclusive for CFA Charterholders"
For verification purposes, you will be asked to enter your CFA Digital Badge, obtained through your LinkedIn profile. Information or questions regarding obtaining your digital badge link should be directed to the CFA Institute directly at: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/membership/social-media.
The Level II CAIA Exam will be administered from September 14, 2026 – September 25, 2026.
Registration for the September 2026 exams is available from April 13, 2026 – August 3, 2026. A US$400 discount applies for early registrations completed by June 8, 2026.
The CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) Association is the leading professional body for alternative investment education and credentialing. The organization supports the global investment industry by offering the CAIA Charter and a portfolio of education, research, and thought-leadership initiatives.