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Do I need a passport to register for the CFA exam?

Short answer: Yes. A valid, unexpired passport is required to register and sit for all CFA exams worldwide. Local IDs such as CNIC, Aadhaar, or national identity cards are not accepted.

Detailed explanation

CFA Institute uses a single global identification standard. This means every candidate must present the same type of internationally recognized ID, regardless of where they live or take the exam. Only a valid international travel passport meets this requirement, which is why national cards and student IDs are not allowed.

Important note for Pakistan (and similar markets)

Local documents such as CNIC, B-form, NADRA Smart Card, Aadhaar Card, PAN, or driver’s licenses are not permitted at test centers. You must use the same passport during registration and on exam day. If your passport expires or is renewed, you must update it in your CFA Institute account.

Official source

🔗 CFA Exam Identification Policy

If any information here conflicts with the CFA Institute website, always rely on the official CFA Institute page.

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