Curriculum
Official curriculum
The complete, published body of knowledge for your programme, including learning outcomes and the ethics standards examined in every credential.
Become a Meridian credential holder
Every Meridian credential is earned, not bought. This page sets out how candidates register, prepare, sit a proctored examination, and receive a record the market can verify.
The Candidate Journey
How it works
The path from enrolment to a conferred credential follows the same rigorous, transparent route for every programme.
Choose a credential
Select the programme that fits your role and stage. Review the structure, curriculum, and prerequisites for each on the certifications page.
Enrol
Complete a one-time enrolment to join the candidate body and gain access to the official curriculum and published examination standards.
Prepare
Study against the Institute's published curriculum. Use the official practice question bank and mock examinations to gauge readiness.
Book your exam
Register for an available window and choose your setting: a supervised test centre or secure online proctoring from your own location.
Sit under Meridian Sentinel
Verify your identity and sit under live human and AI invigilation, environment lockdown, and integrity scoring. Standards are held constant for all.
Receive a verifiable credential
On passing, your result is issued as a cryptographically signed record that anyone can confirm on the public register, with no login required.
Scheduling
Examination windows
Each programme runs on a published schedule. Register early to secure your preferred window and setting.
| Credential | Structure | Exam length | Windows | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMFA® Chartered Meridian Financial Analyst | Three levels (I, II, III) | ~4.5 hrs per level | Level I: February, June, October · Levels II & III: February, August | 2–3 years |
| CFMA® Certified Financial Modelling Analyst | Single build exam | ~4 hrs (live Excel) | Monthly | Self-paced |
| CFRS® Chartered Financial Risk Specialist | Two levels | ~4 hrs per level | May and November | 12–18 months |
| CFES™ Certified in Financial Ethics & Standards | Single exam | ~2 hrs | Monthly and on-demand | Self-paced |
Windows are held worldwide across the Institute's test-centre network and secure online proctoring. Exact dates and closing deadlines are confirmed at registration.
Fees
Enrolment and examination fees
Fees are illustrative and shown in GBP. The equivalent in USD is displayed at registration. Scholarships are available for eligible candidates.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| One-time enrolment (all candidates) | £275 |
| CMFA® — per level (early registration) | £695 |
| CMFA® — per level (standard registration) | £895 |
| CFMA® — single exam | £545 |
| CFRS® — per level | £625 |
| CFES™ — single exam | £245 |
Enrolment is paid once. Each examination is registered and paid for separately. Early registration for the CMFA charter closes ahead of the standard deadline for each window.
Scholarships
The Institute maintains a scholarship programme to widen access to its credentials. Awards reduce examination fees for candidates who meet the published eligibility criteria.
- ✓Merit and access routes. Support is available across all four programmes.
- ✓Applied per window. Awards are confirmed before you register for an exam.
Test Settings
Where you sit
Candidates choose the setting that suits them. The examination and its integrity standards are identical in both.
🏛️
Test centres in 90+ cities
Sit in a supervised, purpose-equipped centre. Seats are allocated within each window; book early in your chosen city to secure availability.
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Secure online proctoring
Sit from your home or office under the Meridian Sentinel system: verified ID, live human and AI invigilation, and environment lockdown. Read how it works on the security and proctoring page.
Whichever setting you choose, your identity is verified, your session is invigilated end to end, and the result carries an integrity score. This is what allows any employer to trust a Meridian credential on sight.
Preparation
Prepare with confidence
The Institute publishes what it examines. Candidates prepare against the same curriculum the examinations are built from.
Practice
Practice question bank
A structured set of practice questions mapped to the curriculum, so you can rehearse the format and calibrate your readiness by topic.
Rehearsal
Mock examinations
Timed, full-length mock examinations that mirror the live experience, so nothing about exam day is unfamiliar when you arrive.
Register
Start your registration
Registration opens the door to enrolment, the official curriculum, and your first examination window. During this phase, candidate accounts are set up by the Institute's candidate services team by email, and a full self-service portal is in preparation.
Contact candidate services to enrol and reserve a window. You will receive USD-equivalent fees and available dates for your chosen setting.
Common Questions
Candidate FAQ
Answers to the questions candidates ask most often before they register.
Are there prerequisites?
The CFMA and CFES have no prerequisite and are open to all candidates. The CMFA and CFRS are structured in levels sat in sequence. The CMFA charter is conferred only after all three levels, 4,000 hours of relevant experience, and a Code of Ethics attestation.
How long do results take?
Results follow each window once marking and the Board of Standards' psychometric standard-setting are complete. You are notified through your candidate record, and any credential earned is published to the public register on release.
What is the retake policy?
Candidates who do not pass may re-register for a future window and re-sit. Each attempt is a separate examination registration with its own fee. There is no limit that prevents a determined candidate from returning.
What ID do I need?
You must verify your identity before every examination with valid government-issued photo identification that matches your candidate record. Identity verification is a fixed part of the Meridian Sentinel system in both test centres and online.
Can I get a refund or defer?
Refund and deferral terms are set out at registration and depend on how far ahead of the window you request a change. Where deferral is available, your examination is moved to a later window rather than refunded.
How do I qualify for a scholarship?
Scholarships are awarded against published eligibility criteria and applied before you register for an examination. Contact candidates@mifstandards.org to check your eligibility ahead of a window.
Prove it. Then let anyone verify it.
Enrol, sit under the Meridian Sentinel system, and earn a credential the market can trust.