Becoming a Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) follows a clear path. Confirm you’re eligible, complete the CBV Program of Studies, gain hands-on experience, pass the Membership Qualification Examination, and apply for membership. Most students earn the designation in about two years studying online, on a flexible schedule, while they work.
The Steps to Becoming a CBV
Confirm you have a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution. A finance or business background helps, but isn’t required.
Set up your CBV Institute profile and log in to register for courses, make payments, and begin your journey.
Work through the required courses, delivered online. This is the core of your training in business valuation. In addition, all registered students receive free access to and must complete FMI’s Foundations Program.
Complete the required hours of business valuation experience. This can overlap with your coursework.
The capstone exam that confirms you’re ready to practise as a CBV.
Submit your membership application and earn the CBV designation.
The steps in detail
1. Check your eligibility
As set out in CBV Institute By-laws, you’ll need a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution by the time you apply for membership. A background in finance or business helps, but it isn’t required. Curiosity, critical thinking, and strong communication matter just as much. See Check your eligibility to confirm where you stand and to learn about prerequisite coursework and the alternative route if you don’t have a degree.
2. Create your profile
The first step is to create your CBV Institute profile. Once it’s set up and you’ve logged in, you can register for courses, make payments, and begin your CBV journey as a Registered Student.
3. Complete the CBV Program of Studies
The CBV Program of Studies is the heart of the journey. The program is a sequence of courses, delivered online, that builds your technical knowledge and professional judgment in business valuation. See the [Program of Studies] for the full course list, format, and schedule.
Additionally, registered students must complete the Financial Modeling Institute (FMI) Foundations Program to be eligible to write the Membership Qualification Examination (MQE). The FMI Foundations program ends in an on-demand, multiple-choice exam.
4. Gain practical experience
Alongside your studies, you’ll complete the required hours of hands-on business valuation experience. Experience earned while you study counts, so many students finish their hours around the same time as their courses.
5. Pass the Membership Qualification Examination (MQE)
The MQE is the capstone. It confirms you can apply what you’ve learned to real valuation problems and are ready to practise as a CBV.
6. Apply for membership
With your courses, experience, and MQE complete, you apply for membership and join the profession as a Chartered Business Valuator.
Ready to become a CBV?
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