When are FRM exams held in 2026?

The Financial Risk Manager (FRM) qualification, awarded by GARP, is earned by passing two exams — and because they're only offered a few times a year, planning around the calendar matters. This guide explains when the FRM exams are held, how the two parts are scheduled, the registration windows, and where to confirm the exact 2026 dates.

The two parts of the FRM exam

The FRM exam has two parts. Part I covers the foundations of risk management — quantitative analysis, financial markets and products, and valuation and risk models — and is made up of 100 multiple-choice questions. Part II applies those tools to market, credit, operational and investment risk, and is 80 multiple-choice questions. You must pass Part I before Part II is graded, so the order matters. For a fuller comparison, see our guide to FRM Part I vs Part II.

When are the FRM exams held?

GARP offers the FRM exams three times a year — in May, August and November. Both Part I and Part II are available in each of these windows. Part I is a computer-based exam offered across a window of days, while Part II is sat on set dates within the window. Because there are only three opportunities a year and they're months apart, missing your intended window means a meaningful wait — so register early and build your study plan around the date.

Can you sit both parts at the same time?

There's an important scheduling quirk: in the August window you can sit Part I and Part II on the same day, but in May and November you cannot. Even if you take both in August, your Part II result only counts if you pass Part I, so most candidates pass Part I first and take Part II in a later window once they know they've progressed.

Registration windows and deadlines

GARP opens registration for each exam several months ahead and runs it in tiers — an early window with the lowest fee, then a standard window at a higher fee. The earlier you register, the less you pay, and first-time candidates also pay a one-off enrollment fee. Each window has its own registration deadline that falls well before the exam itself, so check the cut-off for your chosen sitting rather than leaving it late.

Where to find the exact 2026 dates

GARP sets and publishes the precise exam dates, the Part I computer-based testing window, and the registration deadlines for each sitting. Because these are fixed by GARP and updated each cycle, always confirm the current schedule on the official GARP FRM exam logistics page before you commit, rather than relying on a date copied elsewhere. As a planning note, registration for the later 2026 windows typically opens well in advance, so you can lock in the lower early fee if you decide your sitting early.

How to plan your study around the windows

Each part of the FRM is a significant undertaking, typically demanding several hundred hours of focused study, so work backwards from your chosen window with plenty of runway. A common approach is to target Part I in one window and Part II in the next available one once you've passed. Our guide on the best way to prepare for the FRM exams walks through how to structure that preparation.

After you pass: completing the certification

Passing the exams isn't quite the finish line. You must complete both parts within four years of passing Part I, and to be certified as an FRM you also need to demonstrate two years of relevant professional work experience in financial risk. For the full picture of how the qualification fits together, see our FRM certification guide.

Frequently asked questions

How often is the FRM exam held?

Three times a year — in May, August and November — with both Part I and Part II available in each window.

Can I take FRM Part I and Part II together?

You can sit both on the same day only in the August window; in May and November you take them separately. Part II is only graded if you pass Part I.

How long do I have to complete the FRM?

You must pass Part II within four years of passing Part I, after which two years of relevant risk experience are required for certification.

When will I get my FRM results?

GARP releases results some weeks after each exam window; the exact result date for your sitting is published on the GARP website.

Where do I find the official FRM exam dates?

On GARP's FRM exam logistics page, which carries the current exam dates, the Part I testing window, and the registration deadlines.

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