Course Exemptions

CBV Institute offers exemptions from specific courses in the CBV Program of Studies, based on prior accreditation and courses taken. The processing fee is $150 per exempted course, plus applicable tax. University courses are not subject to this fee.

Professional designations and certifications 

CPA Canada designation holders

CPAs who passed the CPA finance elective in the 2015-onward PEP program, or a university course for which CPA Canada has granted an exemption for this elective, are exempt from CBV Institute’s Level I course, on successful completion of an online ethics and CBV Institute Practice Standards quiz.

Individuals who have completed the two-part Valuation for Financial Reporting (VFR) certificate, jointly offered by CBV Institute and CPA Canada, receive an exemption from CBV Institute’s Valuation for Financial Reporting elective course.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) 

Individuals who have passed the Level I, II, and III exams of the CFA program and are members in good standing are granted exemptions from the two elective courses in the Program of Studies. 

American Society of Appraisers (ASA) 

Individuals with an ASA-BV designation are exempt from Level I – Introductory Business Valuation and Level II – Intermediate Business Valuation. For more information, visit ASA’s website. 

International Institute of Business Valuators (IIBV) 

Individuals who have passed iiBV 101 – Principles of Business Valuations and iiBV 102 – Income Approach and the International Cost of Capital are exempt from Level I – Introductory Business Valuation. Individuals who have also passed iiBV 103 – Business Valuation Comprehensive Case Study are exempt from both Level I – Introductory Business Valuation and Level II – Intermediate Business Valuation. For more information, visit IIBV’s website. 

Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) 

Individuals who have passed Level I and Level II of the CAIA program and are members in good standing are granted exemptions from the two elective courses in the Program of Studies. 

University and college programs

University of Waterloo — School of Accounting and Finance 

Individuals who have completed ACC 606 – Business Valuations as part of their Master’s degree in accounting are exempt from Level I – Introductory Business Valuation and Level II – Intermediate Business Valuation. 

McMaster University — Strategic Business Valuation (SBV) specialization 

Individuals in McMaster’s SBV specialization who successfully complete V700 (Strategic Business Valuation) and V704 (Advanced Strategic Business Valuation) may challenge the CBV Institute exams for Level I (Introductory Business Valuation) and Level II (Intermediate Business Valuation). 

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) 

Individuals who enroll in FNCE 4465 – Business Valuations and achieve a mark of 60% in both the final exam and the overall course are granted an exemption from the CBV Institute exam for Level I (Introductory Business Valuation). 

University of Calgary — Haskayne School of Business 

Individuals who enroll in FNCE 559.11 and achieve an overall mark of 60% are granted an exemption from the CBV Institute exam for Level I (Introductory Business Valuation). 

How to apply 

Check your eligibility, then provide proof that you meet the criteria such as a transcript, an email from the organization, or a copy of your charter or certificate of completion. Please upload your supporting documentation under the relevant Exemption Application on your CBV Dashboard or contact [email protected]. The $150-per-course fee (plus applicable tax) applies except where noted.