CFA Institute reports that 149,954 candidates have registered for this weekend’s Level I, II and III CFA exams, administered in 169 countries on June 2 and 3.

The exam weekend follows an important week for CFA Institute, as the organization celebrated the 50th anniversary of the CFA Program by opening/closing 26 stock exchanges worldwide.

More investment professionals than ever aim to earn the CFA charter, a commitment to uphold the industry’s highest standards of investment practice and to serve investors and the global economy. The number of program candidates this fiscal year (December 2011 and June 2012) rose by five per cent over last fiscal year, with a total of 219,642 exam registrations. For this exam cycle, registration was up three per cent from last June.

Regionally, Asia Pacific continues to be the largest source of candidates, with 63,839 registered for the June 2012 exam, accounting for 43 percent of the total. The Americas saw the registration of 53,106 candidates, 35 percent of the total, and 32,796 candidates registered in Europe, Middle East, and Africa), accounting for 22 per cent of the total.

“CFA Institute recently kicked off its year-long celebration of 50 years of the CFA Program, and we have called on our members to take personal responsibility to restore investor trust and reconnect with the public interest,” said John Rogers, president and CEO of CFA Institute.

The CFA curriculum is grounded in the practice of the investment profession and is methodically updated with knowledge, skills, and abilities (competencies) that are relevant to the profession.