Certificate in ESG Investing
Certificate overview
Prepare yourself to meet the growing demand for ESG investing skills with an ESG certification. The Certificate in ESG Investing gives you the ability to incorporate ESG factors (environmental, social, and governance) into your investment decision-making process – capabilities that are increasingly sought after. With an ESG certification, you will play a vital role in prioritizing sustainability, ethical practices, and social responsibility – now and in the future.
Stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry
ESG investing is no longer simply a good idea, but a reality that has implications for all investment portfolios. If you’re working in the investment industry right now or aspire to, completing an ESG certification is a mark of your dedication. And we can help you achieve that.
The Certificate in ESG Investing is owned, administered, and awarded globally by CFA Institute, having previously been developed and awarded by CFA Society UK. Recognizing ESG in finance as a global priority, the ESG certification is offered in most countries. However, there are a couple of exceptions – please review the certificate availability below.
Why earn the ESG certification?
Specialized growth sector
Fill your knowledge gaps and improve your confidence in the rapidly expanding ESG investing sector.
Career advancement
Become the in-house ESG expert at your current organization or find a new role in the growing field of sustainable investing.
Global recognition
Leverage the global recognition of CFA Institute to unlock international career opportunities in ESG investing.
Expert insights
Build a strong, holistic foundation of knowledge with a curriculum designed by leaders in investment education.
Flexible schedule
Study online at your own pace and complete the exam either in-person or online within a six-month window.
Enhanced professional profile
Earn a digital badge and certificate that demonstrates your mastery. Share it on social media and professional platforms to enhance your online profile.
Where is the ESG certification available?
While the Certificate in ESG Investing is offered in most countries, it is not yet available globally. For example, we are not able to test candidates in Mainland China. This applies to in-person testing as well as online proctored exams.
To see if the ESG certification is available in your country, please review the complete list of test center locations before registering.
Who should register
- Investment professionals who want to learn more about how to analyze and integrate material ESG factors into their day-to-day roles.
- Professionals working in front or back offices and adjacent roles, including sales and distribution, wealth management, product development, financial advice, consulting, and risk.
- Professionals looking to improve their understanding of ESG factors.
We recommend you have prior knowledge of the investment process before taking the Certificate in ESG Investing. If you’re looking for more advanced knowledge and practical application of climate-related factors, take a look at our new Climate Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate.
Study tools to support your learning
The Learning Ecosystem is our comprehensive digital learning platform. Adaptive and mobile-friendly, it lets you learn at your own pace when and where it’s convenient for you.
Through the Learning Ecosystem, you can access a digital version of the curriculum, including the syllabus, self-assessment questions, and mock exams.
Testimonials from learners
If you’re working in the ESG space, or even if you’re not working in the ESG space, I think it would be a good program to get a crash course on ESG and how to think about it and why it matters.
It’s a great way to learn about the space. The content is very good and it’s quite pragmatic as well.
It doesn’t matter what you are doing in your job - you transform into the expert of the company, even if you are not experts because of this change alone. There are a lot of things I don’t know, but I’m in a better position to read about it and ask.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of the certificate and how it has helped me understand the very basic concepts in ESG.
Career benefits
Alongside traditional financial returns, the sustainability and ethical impacts of investments are becoming key concerns for stakeholders. The ability to understand ESG factors and integrate them into your decision-making gives you a powerful advantage – whether you are an investment professional or working in adjacent sectors like law or HR.
Comparing the Certificate in ESG Investing
Need help deciding which program of study will support your career goals? Discover how the ESG certification compares to other qualifications around the world.
Country |
Qualification |
|---|---|
USA |
Associate degree standard |
UK |
RQF Level 4 |
Canada |
OQF Level 7 |
India |
NSQF Level 6 |
Hong Kong |
HKQF Level 4 |
Singapore |
Singaporean Polytechnic Diploma standard |
Australia |
AQF Level 5 |
Brazil |
Curso Superior de Formação Especifíca |
China |
Preparatory Technician Certificate standard |
Japan |
Associate degree standard |
South Africa |
S.A. NQF Level 6 |
France |
NQF Level 4 |
Shareable credentials for global recognition
When you earn the Certificate in ESG Investing, you are acknowledged worldwide for your mastery of the topic, as well as your dedication to sustainability, ethical practices, and social responsibility.
Your digital badge and certificate show this dedication and aligns you with a global community of professionals striving for the same high standards.
ESG career paths
Earn the Certificate in ESG Investing and you open doors to a variety of career paths – from new roles in sustainability to becoming the in-house ESG expert at your current organization.
Which jobs could you get with an ESG certification?
- ESG Analyst
- Sustainability Manager
- ESG Specialist
- ESG Product Manager
- Head of ESG
- Chief Sustainability Officer
Valued by employers
Some of the world’s biggest financial institutes employ ESG certificate holders. These include JPMorgan Chase, UBS, HSBC Holdings, Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Morningstar, Inc. By achieving the Certificate in ESG Investing, you’re aligning yourself with the priorities of today’s investment industry, and the main players within it.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the ESG certification has been designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of ESG factors in finance. You’ll explore ESG investing at a high level, examining sustainability contexts and global initiatives. You’ll then drill down into how ESG can be integrated and managed in portfolio construction, and how to report back to clients on ESG factors.
What you'll learn
When you complete the certification of ESG investing, you will have gained knowledge in a variety of key areas. It's this breadth of your new expertise that will take your career to new heights.
Foundational knowledge
Understand the underlying issues that constitute factors within each of the environmental, social and governance areas, the broader sustainability context and global initiatives, and the ESG market today.
Approaches and application
Discover different approaches to responsible investment and how environmental, social and governance factors can be considered, then learn how to carry out ESG analysis, valuation and integration.
Reporting performance
Explore investment mandates, portfolio analytics and client reporting, and gain the ability to analyze how ESG factors may affect industry and company performance, and security valuation across a range of asset classes.
Curriculum topics
Excellence in ESG investing starts with a solid foundation of knowledge. The Certificate in ESG Investing syllabus covers a comprehensive range of topics, from the size and scope of the ESG market to the key principles that underpin ESG investing. With a theoretical and practical understanding of ESG factors in investing, you can apply your new skills to a variety of roles in your career.
Learn about the different approaches to responsible investment and the consideration of ESG factors. This topic also explores the ESG market; its relevance, size, scope, key drivers and challenges, and risks and opportunities.
Topic weight: 8-15%
Take a closer look at environmental factors, systemic relationships, material impacts, megatrends and approaches to environmental analysis at country, sector, and company levels.
Topic weight: 8-15%
Explore social factors, systemic relationships, material impacts and approaches to social analysis at country, sector and company levels.
Topic weight: 8-15%
Understand governance factors, their key characteristics, main models and material impacts.
Topic weight: 8-15%
Learn about the purpose of investor engagement and stewardship, why they are important, the main principles, and how to apply strategies and tactics.
Topic weight: 5-10%
Gain an understanding of how to integrate ESG factors into the investment process, as well as the challenges associated with that. You’ll also look at how ESG factors may affect industry and company performance, and security valuation across a range of asset classes.
Topic weight: 20-30%
Learn more about the application of ESG analysis across a range of asset classes and the different approaches for ESG integration into the portfolio management process
Topic weight: 10-20%
Discover why mandate construction is important for the effective delivery of ESG investing. You’ll also look at the most common features of ESG investing that asset owners and intermediaries want to identify.
Topic weight: 5-10%
Tools to support your learning
To help keep your studies on track, we offer lots of different ways to engage with the curriculum. So you can learn in a way that suits you and fits with your schedule.
Learning Ecosystem
The Learning Ecosystem (LES) is a digital learning tool to help you study more effectively by:
- Personalizing your learning experience.
- Making the curriculum more engaging.
- Giving you convenient access to materials.
Using the desktop or mobile app, access a digital version of the curriculum, including the syllabus, self-assessment questions, and mock exams. You can also download PDF versions of the curriculum, including the syllabus, chapters, and glossary (print versions can also be purchased for an additional charge).
Mock exams
Once you’re ready to test your knowledge, try one of the mock exams in the Learning Ecosystem. These resemble the Certificate in ESG Investing exam experience as closely as possible, so you can assess your level of confidence and see what areas you need to revisit before the real exam.
Voices of success: Certificate testimonials
See how the Certificate in ESG Investing has benefitted previous candidates.
Exam preparation providers
In addition to the study support provided by CFA Institute, you can benefit from extra exam prep courses and materials from third party providers. CFA Institute Prep Providers agree to follow CFA Institute guidelines and standards in their offerings and communications with candidates.
Exam information
To help fit studying into your schedule, the CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing uses a self-study model. The certificate is one level, and you have six months to take your exam.
Exam fees
The registration fee for the Certificate in ESG Investing is USD 865.
Beginning 1 January 2025 the registration fee will increase to USD 890. This coincides with the release of the 2025 Certificate in ESG Investing that will include an updated curriculum with new case studies.
Fees displayed don't include local taxes. If we need to collect such taxes, they'll be added during the payment process. Please refer to our Tax Policy for more information.
Exam rescheduling fee
A USD 30 rescheduling fee will apply if you wish to reschedule your exam appointment. Please note you cannot reschedule within 72 hours of your exam appointment.
Funding for Hong Kong SAR residents
After successfully completing the Certificate in ESG Investing, eligible Hong Kong SAR residents can apply for a government subsidy of up to 80% of the course fee, or 100% if studying full-time. Learn more about the funding scheme and find out if you’re eligible.
Exam format
The Certificate in ESG Investing exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Here's how your exam appointment time will be allocated during the exam.
Exam page |
Time allocated on screen |
|---|---|
Candidate confirmation details |
3 minutes |
Non-disclosure agreement |
2 minutes |
Introduction and tutorial |
16 minutes |
Exam content |
140 minutes |
Survey introduction |
1 minute |
Survey section |
9 minutes |
Finish |
1 minutes |
When to schedule your exam
Once registered, you'll have up to six months to study for and sit your exam. We recommend beginning to study before scheduling. Then, depending on your study pacing, schedule your exam at least one month prior to your desired exam period.
At a minimum, allow two working days after receiving your registration confirmation to schedule your exam.
How to take the ESG certification exam
There are two different ways to take your ESG certification exam.
Online Proctored Testing (OPT)
You may take the test at home if you meet certain strict vendor requirements.
Before registering, please check if the remote examination or a physical test center is available in your area (ProProctor remote proctoring is currently not available in all markets).
| In-person Site Testing (IST) | Online Proctored Testing (OPT) | |
|---|---|---|
| Testing procedure |
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| General testing requirements |
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Proper environment
Equipment & internet capabilities
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| Questions to answer before you register and/or schedule |
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| Questions to answer before test day |
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Test drive the different experiences
If you're wondering which ESG exam experience is right for you, you can take an exam simulation – also known as the test drive experience. This is 30 minutes long and includes 10-12 questions from the ESG mock exam.
The test drive experience costs USD 30. This fee is non-refundable and is paid at the time you schedule your test drive appointment. You will not receive exam results for your test drive appointment.
Getting your results
Your exam results will be provided on-screen at the end of your exam, and a copy will be emailed to you. Exams are graded as either “pass” or “did not pass,” along with detailed performance feedback if you did not pass.
Your results will be available on the Prometric website within 24 hours of exam completion and in your CFA Institute account within 14 days.
Policies and procedures
Our policies and procedures protect the integrity of the Certificate in ESG Investing and make sure the exam process is fair for all candidates. It is your responsibility to read and understand all policies set forth by CFA Institute. When you register as a candidate, you must agree to abide by the policies listed here (please note that they are updated from time to time).
Access exam policies and procedures
We want you to be informed when you study with us. Here are the policies that you will need to know.
Review the rules for scheduling your exam and what happens if you arrive late.
See what types of government issued photo ID that we accept.
Learn what items are permitted in the testing room.
Exam disability accommodations
We are committed to making the Certificate in ESG Investing exam as accessible as possible. If you need to request an accommodation, please review the disability accommodations page below for information on how to submit a request and what documentation you need to supply. Please note that you must submit your request within 30 days of registering.
Certificate in ESG Investing
- Certificate - 1 exam
- Foundational level
- 100 hours to complete
- Self-paced online learning
- Learning materials included
- 20 PL Credits (2 SER)
Frequently asked questions
After registering, you have six months to study the curriculum and complete the exam. We recommend studying 100+ hours before attempting the exam.
Prior knowledge of the investment process is helpful, but there are no prerequisites. This is a foundational certificate for anyone looking to improve their understanding of ESG issues.
The Certificate in ESG Investing builds foundational knowledge and a broad understanding of the issues across topics including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. The Climate Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate is an advanced certificate for anyone who already has foundational knowledge and skills in financial statement analysis and valuation. It teaches practical application of climate-related factors to conduct analysis, valuation, and portfolio construction.
For more than 75 years, CFA Institute has provided investment practitioners with the knowledge they need to advance their career. Our certificates are renowned globally as the gold standard so you can be confident our curriculum will give you the skills you need to stay ahead.
The Certificate in ESG Investing provides holistic coverage of ESG Investing with a curriculum that is updated every year with the latest research and trends. Plus, with the self-paced format you can study on your own time and schedule the exam at a time that fits your schedule.
Explore Certificate in ESG Investing
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