PAY ONLY IF YOU PASS • $0 DUE UNTIL YOU PASS
Licensed International Financial Analyst (LIFA)

Earn the LIFA credential — pay only if you pass.

Ideal for CFA® exam candidates, GMAT® students, and MBA prospects and participants seeking a practical, rigorous credential.

Three exam levels. Transparent subject weightings. Schedule when you’re ready. No registration or enrollment fee — you only pay if you pass.

Who LIFA is for

Designed for CFA® exam candidates, GMAT® students, and MBA cohorts

LIFA complements your professional path—whether you are studying for the CFA exam, targeting a high GMAT score, or enrolled in an MBA program.

CFA® exam candidates

Use our published LIFA exam subject weightings to reinforce ethics, financial statement analysis, fixed income, equity, and portfolio management fundamentals.

See Level I topics →

GMAT® students

Quant reasoning matters. LIFA emphasizes probability, statistics, and problem-solving that align with quantitative thinking you build for the GMAT.

Register & scholarships →

MBA grads & students

Bridge classroom theory and applied markets knowledge with a credential focused on corporate finance, economics, international markets, and ethics.

Compare credentials →
Program overview

Built for you — and focused on mastery

The LIFA Exam Program measures professional excellence across a broad investment curriculum, delivered through three exams. You choose study resources; we publish the topics and weightings so you can plan with confidence.

Fees

No registration or enrollment fee. Pay only if you pass.

Enroll online with no up-front payment. If you pass, the Level I exam fee is charged; scholarships may reduce it for eligible candidates.

Register →
Scheduling

Take the exam when you’re ready

Online, multiple-choice exams are available year-round. If you need to try again, a 60-day waiting period applies with a limited number of attempts.

See policies →
Results

Fast, transparent outcomes

LIFA exam results are typically available within seven days. Pass/fail reporting and clear subject weightings help you target study time.

Curriculum guide →
Level I curriculum

Learning modules and subject weightings

Full Level I guide →

Level I learning modules

Ethics
Economics
Corporate Finance
International Markets
Quantitative Analysis
Financial Statement Analysis
Fixed-Income Investments
Equity Investments
Derivative Instruments
Alternative Investments
Portfolio Management

Candidates choose their own study sources; the guide outlines topics to master and suggested strategies.

Level I weightings

Ethics — 20%
Economics — 10%
Corp Fin — 5%
Intl Markets — 5%
Quant — 10%
FSA — 20%
Fixed-Income — 7.5%
Equity — 7.5%
Derivatives — 5%
Alternatives — 5%
Portfolio — 5%

Weightings are reviewed annually.

Policies

Clear rules that respect candidates’ time and effort

Full policy details →
Attempts & waiting

60-day wait; limited attempts

After a Level I attempt, you may retake after 60 days, with a cap on total attempts to promote meaningful progress.

Format

Multiple-choice, online

Each exam is a single ~2-hour session delivered online under standardized conditions. Questions are answered in order.

Transparency

Published weightings & pass-rate approach

Subject weightings are public. Pass/fail results are communicated promptly; precise scores are not disclosed.

Compare

LIFA vs. other finance credentials

About the CFA Program →

Structure

Both LIFA and CFA are three-level programs assessing core investment knowledge and ethics; LIFA publishes Level I weightings and offers year-round scheduling.

Scheduling & access

LIFA offers online testing 365 days/year with a 60-day retake interval. Policies are designed to give candidates flexibility while maintaining rigor.

Fees & policies

LIFA has no registration or enrollment fees and charges the exam fee only upon a pass; scholarships available for eligible candidates.

Ready to become a LIFA charterholder?

Register in minutes. No registration or enrollment fee. Pay only if you pass.

Register now
FAQ

Common questions from CFA® exam candidates, GMAT® students, and MBA participants

How does LIFA complement CFA® exam prep?

LIFA emphasizes ethics, financial statement analysis, fixed income, equity, and portfolio management—areas that reinforce foundations valued by CFA candidates.

Is LIFA helpful while studying for the GMAT®?

Yes. LIFA’s quantitative analysis and economics modules align with the problem-solving and data reasoning mindset sharpened for GMAT study.

Can MBA students take LIFA during the program?

Absolutely. Many MBA students pursue LIFA to demonstrate applied markets knowledge alongside their degree coursework.

When can I schedule my LIFA exam?

Exams are available year-round online. If you need to retake, there’s a 60-day wait between attempts.

Get in touch

Questions about the LIFA Exam Program?