Certificate Overview
The CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing offers you both practical application and technical knowledge in the fast-growing field of ESG investing — an opportunity to both accelerate progress and demonstrate purpose.
The certificate and learning materials were developed by leading practitioners for practitioners, and have been recognized by the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), an independent body that seeks to encourage investors to use responsible investment to enhance returns and better manage business risks.
The Certificate in ESG Investing is owned, administered, and awarded globally by CFA Institute having previously been developed and awarded by CFA Society UK.
Learn more about the Certificate in ESG Investing curriculum
Benchmarking the Certificate in ESG Investing
An independent evaluation found the following levels of comparability for the Certificate in ESG Investing:
| Country | Comparable To |
|---|---|
| USA | Associate degree standard |
| UK | RQF Level 4 |
| Canada | OQF Level 7 |
| India | NSQF Level 6 |
| Hong Kong | HKQF Level 4 |
| Singapore | Singaporean Polytechnic Diploma standard |
| Australia | AQF Level 5 |
| Brazil | Curso Superior de Formação Especifíca (Higher Education Diploma of Specific Training) |
| China | Preparatory Technician Certificate standard |
| Japan | Associate degree standard |
| South Africa | S.A. NQF Level 6 |
| France | NQF Level 4 |
Exam Fees, Costs, and Scheduling
Exam Registration Fee
USD 795You can register for the Certificate in ESG Investing for USD795.
The Certificate in ESG Investing is not yet offered globally. We are working to expand the certificate into additional markets. At this time, for example, we are not able to test candidates on mainland China. This applies to in person testing as well as online proctored exams. We are working with local regulators to obtain approval to test candidates in the region. Once approval is obtained, we will update this notice. Please review the complete list of test center locations before registering.
Once registered, you will have 6 months to sit for your exam. You are responsible for scheduling your own exam appointment.
All fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the candidate in their country of residence. Where CFA Institute is required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment/checkout process.
For information about taxability related to online purchases from CFA Institute, please visit our Tax Policy page.
Exam Format
The CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions.
- To be completed within 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Section 1: Exam Questions
- Section 2: End of Exam Notification
- Section 3: Survey
- Administered in person at test centers in select markets*
- Online proctoring is available, depending on local regulations and system capability
*ProProctor remote proctoring for CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing is not available in all markets at this time. Please check if remote examination or a physical test center is available in your area before registering.
Study Time
We recommend you devote about 100+ hours of study time to achieve the Certificate in ESG Investing.
When you register, you will have access to the Learning Ecosystem, which includes the following resources:
- The syllabus
- Digital version of the curriculum
- Self-assessment questions
- Mock exam
Who Should Register?
This certificate is designed for investment practitioners who want to learn more about how to analyze and integrate material ESG factors into their day-to-day roles. It is suitable for anyone working in front or back offices and adjacent roles — including sales and distribution, wealth management, product development, financial advice, consulting, risk — as well as anyone looking to improve their understanding of ESG issues.
We recommend you have a foundational knowledge of the investment process, whether achieved through formal qualification or through experience.
Is the Certificate in ESG Investing available globally?
Certificate Testimonials
The curriculum is broad and covers all the key elements. The result is a qualification that starts the journey into ESG investing, a segment that is evolving quickly and will form a key part of our investment future.
It's quite a challenge to not get lost in ESG language and stay on top of all recent developments. This course helped me in getting a comprehensive overview of the history of ESG investing, the present with many new initiatives being built and anticipated future changes to our industry which will be relevant to all of us.
We aim for long-term partnerships with our clients and are happy to be part of their ESG journey!
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Get the CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing
Ready to make a move that makes a difference? Register for the Certificate in ESG Investing today.
