CFA® Program Emergency Deferral Policy

February 2026 Candidates: 

The emergency deferral request window is open until 10 February 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. 

If you do not qualify: 

• If you do not meet the criteria for an emergency deferral, or do qualify but cannot provide the proper documentation, your request will be denied.
• You may instead purchase a paid deferral before the paid deferral deadline. 

Completion of the emergency deferral form represents your consent for CFA Institute to use the information provided by you to verify your eligibility for an exam deferral and monitor exam deferral volumes. All deferral requests are subject to the terms of the Candidate Agreement, up to and including review by our Professional Conduct department. We reserve the right to deny any emergency deferral request. 

Request an emergency deferral

Misrepresentation and misuse of accounts

CFA Institute has received numerous false Emergency Deferral requests. Providing false documentation is a serious violation of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. If we suspect your documentation is false, your request will be denied and you will be referred to our Professional Conduct department for disciplinary sanctions, including possible restriction from the CFA Program exams.

If you do not qualify for an Emergency Deferral, purchase a paid deferral instead. Do not risk disciplinary sanctions by falsifying documentation.

Professional Conduct at CFA Institute has discovered that some candidates have been providing the usernames and passwords of their CFA Program accounts to third parties unaffiliated with CFA Institute, who are often using that information to provide false deferral information on behalf of these candidates. As a candidate, you are responsible for keeping your account safe, private and secure. Candidates who permit third parties to have access to their accounts will be held responsible for any falsified or misleading information provided and may receive a sanction (including suspension or prohibition from participation in the CFA Program) for such activity. We remind all registered candidates to read and uphold the CFA Institute Code and Standards, and to abide by all terms outlined in the Candidate Agreement.