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CFA Exam Disability Accommodations

We are committed to offering the CFA® exam in a manner and location accessible to individuals with disabilities and in compliance with legal regulations. Legal regulations apply to candidates with a significant impairment that limits, as compared to most people in the general population, their ability to sit for the exam. We do not guarantee that requests for special testing accommodations will be granted, regardless of whether you have previously received special testing accommodations.
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What You Need to Know Before Submitting Your Request

You must be registered for an exam in order to submit a request for accommodation
Review all information provided on this page
 Note the request deadlines for your exam window
✔ Note the important information for both New and Returning Candidates
 Get Familiar with the Documentation Requirements
Review the Frequently Asked Questions
✘ Do not submit requests nor documentation via email
✘ Do not schedule an exam appointment before submitting your request

Important Deadlines

Requests for Disability Accommodation are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted by the accommodation request deadline associated with your exam registration. Request forms and/or documentation submitted after the accommodation request deadline will not be reviewed.

Candidates who wish to submit a request for disability accommodations should not schedule their exam appointment until a determination has been made on their request.

Early Registrant Deadline

26 April

If you register for the August 2023 exam by 1 February 2023, your deadline to submit a Disability Accommodation request is 26 April 2023.

Deadline has passed

Standard Registrant Deadline

16 May

If you register for the August 2023 exam between 2 February 2023 – 9 May 2023, your deadline to submit a Disability Accommodation request is 16 May 2023.

Deadline has passed

Early Registrant Deadline

25 July

If you register for the November 2023 exam by 10 May 2023, your deadline to submit a Disability Accommodation request is 25 July 2023.

Standard Registrant Deadline

15 August

If you register for the May 2023 exam between 11 May 2023 – 8 August 2023, your deadline to submit a Disability Accommodation request is 15 August 2023.

Early Registrant Deadline

25 October

If you register for the February 2024 exam by 13 July 2023, your deadline to submit a Disability Accommodation request is 25 October 2023.

Standard Registrant Deadline

15 November

If you register for the February 2024 exam between 14 July 2023 – 8 November 2023, your deadline to submit a Disability Accommodation request is 15 November 2023. 

Comfort Requests

Some candidates without documented disabilities may need special arrangements to be able to comfortably take the exam. Items that are on Prometric’s Pre-Approved Personal Items list do not require approval by CFA Institute to bring to your exam appointment. If you require a special arrangement not on the approved personal item list, you must contact [email protected], including arrangements for nursing parents. Comfort requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to test center and/or appointment availability. As such, we cannot guarantee that your request will be approved. We strongly encourage you to submit your request as soon as possible.

Submit Comfort Request

Disability Accommodations

Candidates with a previously approved CFA Institute testing accommodation are still required to submit a Disability Accommodations Request Form for each administration.* If you are requesting the same accommodation as you received on a previous CFA proctored exam, no documentation is required.* If you would like to change or add to your accommodation, you must submit the Disability Accommodation Request Form along with new documentation** that supports your updated request.

*This requirement still applies if you have deferred to another exam administration window. Approved requests do not automatically transfer to the next administration. You are responsible for submitting the online request form each time you register for an exam.

**If it has been more than seven years since you last sat for a CFA Institute exam, you will be required to submit new medical and supporting documentation regardless of your previously approved CFA Institute accommodations.


Documentation

All documentation must be submitted in English
The Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation Report should have been conducted within the past three (3) years. *
All of the required documentation must be submitted within ten (10) business days of submitting the Disability
Accommodations Request Form but no later than the applicable deadline.

* Candidates may submit an evaluation report that is more than three years old; however, it may be necessary to obtain a more recent evaluation report to determine appropriate accommodations. If this is deemed necessary, you will be notified accordingly.

What NOT to Submit:

  • Documentation in a language other than English
  • Letters from your medical professional in lieu of the evaluation report
  • Multiple copies of the same documentation
  • Documentation of requests for accommodation with other institutions or organizations. If you have received prior accommodation with another entity, please only submit proof of the accommodation you were granted by that entity.
  • Documents via email. All documentation must be submitted through the secure online portal.
  • Documents that are protected
  • Self-reports
  • Research articles

Most accommodations for diabetic candidates do not require a formal accommodation request. Medical devices or aids such as a glucose monitor and glucose tablets are pre-approved permissible items.

  • Food and non-water beverages are not permitted in the testing room. However, candidates may keep them in the personal belongings area which can be accessed during the optional scheduled break.

Get Familiar with the Documentation Requirements

When you apply for accommodation, you must provide documentation indicating and supporting your current level of impairment within an academic setting or testing environment. Before initiating your request, please use the resources below to help you understand the materials necessary for submission and review.

A documented diagnosis alone is not enough to assess your request. You must submit the following documentation:

  • Most recent Evaluation Report with DSM-V code referenced (if applicable)
  • Proof of prior testing accommodations, special educational services, or plans
  • Medical Professional Questionnaire
  • Personal Statement that addresses the impact of your diagnosis and why the accommodations sought are necessary
  • paper and pen icon Medical Professional Questionnaire and Personal Statement (PDF) (PDF)

    This Medical Professional Questionnaire form must be completed and signed by a qualified medical professional and returned to us. You must complete the personal statement, addressing the impact of your diagnosis and why the accommodations sought are necessary.

  • folded paper icon Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation Report

    You will need to submit your most recent evaluation report, with DSM-V code referenced (if applicable), which should be three years old or less. The evaluation report should be conducted by a qualified professional with expertise in the disability for which the accommodation is sought. Letters from your medical professional are not considered comprehensive and may not be submitted in lieu of this requirement.

  • newspaper icon Supporting Documentation

    If applicable, you will need to submit documentation that demonstrates a history of impairment or limitation, such as proof of prior testing accommodations, including college-entrance or professional exams (e.g., SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT), college/university accommodations, or special education services/plans.

How to Request Accommodation for a CFA Proctored Exam:

  1. Submit Request

    Submit the Disability Accommodation Request Form (log-in required) with the required documentation. After you have submitted your request, you can view the status and details of your request online (log-in required).

    When submitting your preferred testing location in the online form, you must provide a location from this list of test center locations.


  2. Receive Decision (4-6 weeks)
    Please allow four (4) to six (6) weeks for the review and processing of your request. All accommodation requests and supporting medical documentation are carefully reviewed by exam administration personnel, and then forwarded to one or more external medical experts for their review and feedback. You will receive notification regarding the status of your request once it has been evaluated, along with the next steps for scheduling your exam appointment.
  3. Schedule Exam Appointment

    When attempting to schedule an appointment with Prometric, you must select a location from this list of test center locations.

    Some testing accommodations are not able to be scheduled through the online ProScheduler. In these cases, you will be instructed to contact Prometric directly. A member of the Prometric team will work to schedule an exam appointment inclusive of your granted accommodation in your preferred testing area. Please note that this process may require additional processing time to arrange the logistical aspects of your granted accommodations request.

    If you are not granted accommodation, you will still be permitted to take the exam under standard testing conditions and will be provided instruction on how to proceed with scheduling your exam appointment.

    Important Note: The exam appointment general scheduling deadline does not apply to Disability Accommodations candidates. Any emails from CFA Institute in reference to this can be disregarded.

Additional Resources


FAQs

Read the Frequently Asked Questions about disability accommodations.

Status of Request

View the status and details of your submitted request (log-in required)

Contact Us

We are happy to address any additional questions via email at [email protected]. Please note, CFA Institute cannot give any applicant an unfair advantage in the disability accommodation process by accepting an offer to confer with the applicant directly as well as his or her medical health professional.

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