To check if someone passed the CFA Level 1 exam, the most direct method is asking them to share their official result email or the PDF report from the CFA Institute website, which they receive 5–7 weeks after the exam window. For public verification, passing Level 1 does not grant a, but, for older results, you can check if they have a digital badge via Accredible or request a verification letter from them.
How do you get your results? Level I CFA candidates are provided with a "pass" or "did not pass" message via email on the result date.
CFA® Exam results remain available for approximately one year after the exam date. After this period, candidates can verify their CFA® Program status by generating and downloading a verification letter from the Verification Letter section of their CFA Institute Account Profile.
Individual CFA exam results are only released to the candidate and will not be released to a third party. CFA Institute may, however, provide local chapters with lists of passing candidates.
Use this directory to verify an individuals CFA charterholder status or locate a financial advisor. Some members may not be listed as they have not opted in to being contacted. For further information please visit the member page of the CFA Institute website.
The Charter Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 Exam is recognised worldwide as a qualification specifically for finance and investment management. It is the entry point to the prestigious CFA charter. This charter is widely considered the golden benchmark in the finance industry worldwide.
The CFA Level 1 passing score is not fixed every year, but it usually stays between 65% and 70%. CFA Institute does not publish an official cut-off, but this range is considered the minimum benchmark to pass.
The simple answer here is no. Once you clear all three levels of the exam and you have obtained the CFA certification, it remains with you forever. So the CFA program is structured into 3 levels, the CFA Level 1, Level 2, and level three.
Once you pass an exam, you will receive an email from credentials@cfainstitute.org with a link to your certificate and/or badge. If you cannot find the email with your digital badge link, please login to your Accredible account.
Listing CFA Level One in the education section of the resume
Write "Chartered Financial Analyst." Include a hyphen and "Passed Level 1" next to it with the year you earned the qualification. Write "CFA Institute" in parentheses. Place this above your college degree information.
Failed CFA email example:
We sincerely regret to inform you that you did not pass the February 20XX Level X CFA exam. XX% of candidates passed the February 20XX Level X CFA exam. You can find out more about how to interpret your CFA results charts here.
Each level has its own identity and increases in difficulty. That's why many ask, which CFA level is the hardest? For many, it's a tie between Level II and Level III, but Level I is the steepest learning curve. Still, the CFA Level 3 hardest topics tend to challenge even the most experienced candidates.
Is CFA tougher than CA? A: The CFA and CA (Chartered Accountant) qualifications have different focuses and challenges. While both are demanding, many find CA to be more rigorous due to its extensive practical training and exams.
CFA Level I Pass Rate Stays at 43% for November Test
Candidates who put off taking the test have a smaller likelihood of success. Those who took the Level I exam in November with at least one deferral saw a 29% pass rate, compared with 49% for first-time candidates, the CFA Institute said.
The November 2025 CFA Level I results are officially out. CFA Institute released results to all candidates in January 2026 and confirmed a global pass rate of 43%. You can view your individual result through the official CFA Institute results portal.
Since 2014, the historical CFA pass rates for: Level 1 ranges from 22%-49%, with a 12-year average of 41%; Level 2 ranges from 29%-59%, with a 12-year average of 45%; Level 3 ranges from 39%-56%, with a 11-year average of 50%.
CFA Level 1 is widely considered a very difficult exam due to its broad curriculum, demanding study commitment (often 300+ hours), challenging technical content, and typical ~40% pass rates, requiring strong discipline to learn and recall foundational finance concepts, though it's often seen as the most manageable of the three levels because it focuses on learning and describing rather than deep analysis. Success hinges on consistent study, mastering core topics like Ethics, FSA, and Investments, and effective exam technique, making it a significant hurdle for many.
In-Depth Breakdown of the Most Difficult CFA Level 1 Topics & How to Tackle Them
CFA Exams Pass Rates
The CFA exams are perhaps the most challenging exams out there. They are often referred to as “bar none” the toughest exams—even harder than medical school or law school exams—with pass rates that hover around 50% and were much lower during the recent pandemic.
Will AI replace CFA professionals in finance jobs? No. While AI optimises efficiency, it does not replace intelligent decision-making, client engagement, or ethics oversight performed by CFAs.