FAQs

Have questions about the CBV Program of Studies? Find answers on eligibility, registration, work experience, the MQE, and more, organized by topic below.

There are five requirements: 

• A post-secondary degree, CFA designation, or CPA designation. See the Education Requirement policy for details. 
• The CBV Institute Program of Studies: six courses completed with a mark of at least 60%: four mandatory (Levels I–IV) and two electives from a list of four. Courses run in three terms each year (Winter, Summer, Fall). The course fee is $960 per course. See the Program & Membership Fees page for details. 
• 1,500 hours of relevant work experience (see the Experience Requirements policy). 
• The completion of the Financial Modeling Institute (FMI) Foundations course, offered to Registered Students in partnership with the FMI. 
• The Membership Qualification Examination (MQE), a four-hour, case-based exam held once a year in September, written after completing the Program of Studies and within three years of doing so. You must pass to be eligible for membership. 
• The CBV membership application, submitted once all the above are complete. 

First create a profile on the CBV Institute website. From there, apply to become a Registered Student. Once approved, you’ll have full access to your Dashboard, including things like exemption applications and term registration.

When registration opens for a term, you’ll see an application on your Dashboard, such as “Fall 2026 term registration,” where you can enroll. Course selection and payment are processed through York University’s website as part of the same enrollment process.

Need help? Watch our step-by-step registration walkthrough video.

There is no time limit to complete the Program of Studies. Registered students typically finish the courses within two years, and you may register for more than one course per term. The MQE, written once a year in September, must be completed within three years of finishing the Program of Studies.

You have 48 hours from the time of registration to withdraw and receive a refund, less a $50 administrative fee. 

There are no entry requirements for the Program of Studies itself. When you apply for membership, you’ll need to provide proof of a university degree from an institution recognized by CBV Institute. 

No. This is an online, asynchronous/self-study program delivered through York University’s Moodle learning platform, so study at your own pace. Each term includes two webinars with a Q&A component. Attendance is highly recommended but not mandatory, and all webinars are recorded and posted to your course page. 

Once payment is processed, York University emails you confirmation and Moodle access within 48–72 hours, containing all program resources. Those resources include course materials, webinars, instructor discussion forums, and practice exams and solutions. 

Textbooks are recommended but not mandatory. The course notes summarize valuation methods, approaches, and topics with examples; the textbooks add depth on those same topics. The suggested approach is to start with the notes, use the textbooks as an in-depth reference, and post to the forum if questions remain. It is recommended that all registered students have access to the textbooks. 

That’s up to you and depends on your schedule. Note that the four mandatory courses are designed to be taken in order. In surveys, registered students report spending between 75 and 125 hours preparing for each course. 

Check your eligibility on the Course Exemptions page, then provide proof that you meet the criteria: a transcript, an email from the organization, or a copy of your charter or certificate of completion. The fee is $150 plus tax per course. Send all supporting documentation to [email protected]. 

Yes. When you log in to your CBV account, you’ll find a list of tutors on the Tutoring page. The CBVs listed offer tutoring for a fee, and you can contact them directly. CBV Institute is not a party to any tutoring arrangement, has not screened the CBVs listed, and takes no responsibility for the outcome of any arrangement. All exams are written online. 

It lets you test the exam environment. It includes a system check and authentication, downloading a “test” exam question booklet and Excel response sheet on Moodle, then uploading your response file. Using MS Excel (and no other version of Excel) is highly recommended. 

You need 1,500 hours of relevant experience. At least 750 must be “core valuation experience,” and up to 750 may be “non-core.” In general, core hours involve reaching a conclusion on the value of a business or on economic loss. See the Experience Requirements policy for how core and non-core are defined; it doesn’t matter where the experience is obtained. 

The 1,500 hours must be earned within a five-year window that includes the date you pass the MQE and cannot extend more than three years after that date. In other words, you can use experience from up to five years before you pass the MQE, and up to three years after (in which case you can only go back two years before passing). 

No. Your work does not need to be supervised by a CBV. A non-CBV supervisor may sign off on your experience to attest that you performed the work stated on your application. A CBV on the Accreditation Committee is assigned to review your application, which will likely include speaking with you and your direct supervisor. For questions, contact [email protected]. 

Read the Experience Requirements policy, which explains the type of work that counts and the time limits. Your experience must fall within a five-year window that includes the date you pass the MQE and cannot extend later than three years after the MQE. 

Your sponsor should be someone at your current or former organization with a direct working relationship to you who can attest to your work and sign off on your experience. If no one at your firm is a CBV, the Institute will assign a CBV to review your application as a co-sponsor. 

Many designated CBVs come from non-traditional backgrounds. Most registered students already perform valuation in some capacity. Because backgrounds vary, it’s hard to generalize, but registered  students without an accounting background (or who have been away from public practice) typically need more time to absorb tax-related concepts. 

Registered students typically take two weeks off work to study, and roughly 200 hours of preparation is common based on student feedback. The MQE is written once a year, on the third Wednesday of September. 

Three. A fourth attempt requires a formal request to the Director of Education. If a fourth attempt is denied, you’ll be required to retake the four mandatory courses. 

The Institute does not currently have resources to help students obtain work experience, but Registered Students are encouraged to attend CBV Institute events.

Yes. Post-secondary students can begin the Program of Studies before they graduate. Proof of a recognized university degree is only required later, when they apply for CBV membership. 

Yes. When a school’s courses are approved under agreement with CBV Institute, students can earn exemptions from select CBV Program courses. Students apply through the Course Exemptions page with supporting proof; the fee is $150 plus tax per course. 

CBV Institute works with schools to build Program of Studies content into existing finance, accounting, and business courses. Download the free professor guide for curriculum structure and integration ideas, or contact the academic outreach team to discuss a partnership. 

Yes. You can invite a practicing CBV to guest lecture and share real-world valuation experience. Contact the academic outreach team to arrange one. 

The BV Challenge is a national case competition where students work through real valuation scenarios and connect with professionals. It’s a hands-on way to build interest in the field. 

The Prosper Scholarship supports Indigenous students pursuing the CBV designation, covering course and exam fees. For current fees and any student discounts, see the Discounts & Scholarships page. 

CBVs work across fields including investment banking, private equity, consulting, litigation support, financial reporting, and corporate finance, where valuation expertise is in demand. 

Contact Kevin Floether, Director, Marketing & Communications, at [email protected], or the education team at [email protected].