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Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) is a professional designation given out by the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association to establish an educational standard for individuals that specialize in the area of alternative investments (such as hedge funds, venture capital, private equity and real estate investment). In order to receive the designation, individuals must have at least one year of professional experience, a U.S. bachelor's degree and must pass two levels of curriculum that include topics ranging from qualitative analysis, trading theories of alternative investments, to indexation and benchmarking.
Because the realm and scope of alternative investments is dramatically different from conventional investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, a specific designation was necessary to distinguish those individuals who are best qualified in dealing with this class of investments. Similar to the Chartered Financial Analyst(TM) designation, possessing the CAIA designation provides individuals with access to jobs, member chapters and sources of education
CAIA Practitioners Benefits
The CAIA curriculum's focus on analysis, application and standards of practice creates the benchmark that institutions, investors and regulators recognize and welcome globally
Professional Discounts: CAIA members receive discounts to a number of professional services, including several top news services and research sources. Members also gain discounted access to a host of industry conferences and CAIA events.
Ongoing Educational Opportunities: The CAIA Association and its membership place high value on ongoing education. Earning the designation is the first step in a CAIA member's access to a host of professional development opportunities like Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP), Life Office Management Association (LOMA). Successful completion of the CAIA program exempts members from the Professional Risk Managers' International Association (PRMIA) exam
Career Opportunities: The CAIA designation can help open doors to a variety of professional opportunities by enhancing your industry marketability. Designees can be found in a variety of positions, including, Hedge fund, CTA, real estate and private equity fund management, Chief investment officers, Consultants to institutions, family offices, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, Investment analysts, Regulators, Due diligence officers, Investment bankers, Asset allocators, Capital introduction specialists, Fund administrators, Lawyers, Accountants
Requirements to obtain the CAIA designation

The right to use the CAIA designation is earned by (1) successfully completing the CAIA program (passing both the Level I and Level II exams) and (2) becoming a member of the CAIA Association. In order to qualify for membership in the Association, you must fulfill each of the following:

Pass the Level II exam within three years of passing the Level I exam
Hold a U.S. bachelor's degree or the equivalent, and have more than one year of professional financial experience, or alternatively have at least four years of professional financial experience
Submit payment for the annual CAIA Association membership fee
Agree on an annual basis to abide by the Member Agreement
Membership is the final requirement for individuals who wish to use the CAIA designation.

CAIA Exam Structure

The exams are offered twice each year, once in May and once in September. The exams are administered in computerized format at proctored test centers around the world. The Level I exam is composed of three sections. The format for the entire Level I exam is multiple-choice.

Section 1: Quantitative methods.
Section 2: Foundations of alternative investments and includes such topics as alternative investment asset classes, trading strategies employed by alternative investment managers, sources of returns to these asset classes and strategies, and background on legal aspects of alternative investments.
Section 3 : Standards for professional conduct.The format for the Level II exam is both multiple-choice and essay. The Level II exam covers;
the application of portfolio theory to alternative investments,
selection of assets, managers, and strategies,
oversight and due diligence of investment managers, and risk management.
Standards of professional conduct are included as a separate section.
CAIA Exam Registration

Level I and Level II exams are administered in computerized format at proctored test centers around the world. To view a list of current sites offering the CAIA exams:

Visit www.vue.com and select "Locate a Test Center" at the top of the page.
Under Area of Study, select "Financial Services"
Choose "CAIA Association" from the Testing Program drop-down menu and proceed.
CAIA Fees

Standard

Program Registration Fees: USD 400
Level I Exam Registration: USD 1000 (USD 900 Early Registration)
Level II Exam Registration: USD 1000 (USD 900 Early Registration)
First-year-only membership dues: USD 250
Subsequent annual membership dues: USD 250
For AIMA/CISDM Member Companies

Program Registration Fees: USD 400
Level I Exam Registration: USD 750 (USD 650 Early Registration)
Level II Exam Registration: USD 750 (USD 650 Early Registration)
First-year-only membership dues: USD 150
Subsequent annual membership dues: USD 250