No. Each level is recognised as its own standalone designation.
Details about what’s covered in each FMI Level can be found on the Learning Materials page. Here you will find the Body of Knowledge, Skills Checklist and Sample Exams for each level.
There are no educational or professional work prerequisites needed to register for Level 1. However, Level 2 and 3 can only be taken if the previous Level has been completed successfully.
Candidates can register online for an exam at the nearest testing location on our Registration Page.
For each FMI Certification Level, there is an exam fee. You can find out the cost to take the exam in your city on our Exam Locations page.
FMI Annual Dues also apply to candidates. Find out more about the FMI Annual Dues.
The FMI administers in person proctored exams two times per year (April and October). These exams are 4 hours long and candidates are required to demonstrate their ability to build an Excel based Financial Model. As such, candidates will be supplied with a computer with Microsoft Excel during the exam.
See Sample Exams here.
The FMI exams are offered in English only. FMI is aware that not every candidate’s native language is English. In the exam development process, FMI makes every effort to ensure that questions are written in a clear, concise form and avoids the use of colloquialisms or other terms and phrases that might confuse a non-native English speaker.
Candidates’ preparation times will vary based on their professional experience, academic background, and familiarity with the concepts tested on the curriculum. Based on previous participant feedback, individuals typically devote between 25 and 100 hours (depending on modeling experience) preparing for the exam.
The Candidate Responsibility Statement is an ethical oath required by all FMI Candidates.
The FMI is a Professional Body and it expects that all FMI Candidates and Certification Holders maintain high standards of personal and professional ethics and conduct. Therefore, all FMI Candidates and Certification Holders must abide by the FMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
To take an FMI Exam, you must register and pay no later than 5 days before the exam. Late registrations will not be accepted.
You will be required to make a credit card payment during the Exam registration process. If you are unable to do this, please contact us at info@fminstitute.com
If a candidate wishes to cancel their registration they may do so as long at they request this more than 5 weeks before the exam. The registration fee will be refunded less a $100 USD administration fee. Refunds are not permitted within 5 weeks of an exam. Information about Deferrals can be found under Section 3 of the FAQ.
Student discounts do not apply to Refunds and Deferrals. Requests for Refunds and Deferrals cannot be processed after an Exam.
No. Candidates cannot transfer a registration to another candidate.
No. Only one fee is payable for each Certification Holder to FMI. For example, if you have obtained AFM and CFM certifications, you will only be required to pay one annual fee each anniversary year.
FMI Certification Holders must pay annual dues or risk having their membership suspended and subsequently revoked by the FMI.
Computers will be provided in all Testing Centers. You will NOT be able to bring your own device. These PCs will be operating Microsoft Windows operating systems (not Mac / MacBook) and include Microsoft Excel.
Yes. You will need an original, non-expired form of government issued photo ID.
Please email all deferral requests to info@fminstitute.com. The following Terms and Conditions apply:
FMI seriously reviews each and every Exam violation that is filed by a proctor. Below is a list of violations that will result in a candidate’s Exam not being graded.
To request special accommodations, please contact us here or email info@fminstitute.com. Requests must be made at least 6 weeks prior to an exam sitting and supporting documentation must be provided prior to special accommodations being granted. Although the FMI is committed to making its exams accessible to everyone, unfortunately we cannot guarantee that all requests for special accommodations will be granted.
Click here for the FMI’s Grading Policies and Procedures.
A Candidate should bring the following items with them on exam day:
8:00 am Candidates arrive and check-in.
8:40 am Doors open and candidates are seated.
8:50 am Door are closed, the Exam is distributed and Exam instructions are read.
9:00 am Exam begins.
1:00 pm Exam is over, materials are collected and candidates are released.
Note: Some Exam sites may have a different start time. Please be sure to check your admission ticket.
Calculators will not be allowed in the exam room. You will have access to Microsoft Excel during the exam and thus any calculations you need to do can be done in Excel.
No. Phones or any form of communication device are not permitted in the exam room.
If you finish the Exam before the end of the allotted time, you may leave the testing room, but only after you have handed in all your Exam materials to the proctor. No one may leave during the last 30 minutes of the Exam session. Once you leave the testing room after completing a session, you may not return.
Note: Should you leave the testing room and inadvertently take the Exam materials with you, your Exam will not be graded. This is a violation of FMI’s testing policies.
All Exam materials, including the Exam booklets, answer sheets, spreadsheets/workbooks and admission tickets are the sole property of FMI. Completed Exams will not be returned or shared partially or fully with candidates. Your Exam materials must be given to the Proctor prior to leaving the Exam room for any reason, including trips to the restroom.
The FMI Designations should be used as follows:
Examples
As a Certified Financial Modeler of FMI, you can increase the visibility of your Financial Modeling Certification by placing the digital badge on your favorite professional or social networks, a blog, or website. Wherever you choose to place your badge, the information (image as shown below) will be displayed to validate your achievement. By displaying this digital badge, potential employers, recruiters, and other contacts will immediately recognise your skills and achievement.
Level 1
Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM)
Level 2
Chartered Financial Modeler (CFM)
Level 3
Master Financial Modeler (MFM)
