More than 100,000 candidates around the world have enrolled for this year’s Chartered Financial Analyst exam, a record number that is double the figure of just four years ago.

This is the 40th year of the CFA exam. In Canada, 11,005 candidates have signed up for the exam, representing 11% of the worldwide total. Enrollment in Canada is up 9% from 2001. The CFA exam will be administered at various sites in 11 cities across Canada. The Toronto exam is the third largest in the world, following New York City and Hong Kong respectively.

This year, a total of 101,787 candidates have signed up for the exam, says the Association for Investment Management and Research, which sponsors and administers it. That’s a 15% increase over 2001 enrollment levels. Reflecting the increasingly international nature of the CFA credential, 28% of enrollees are from Asia, and 14% are from Europe.

This year’s exams will be given simultaneously at 253 test sites in 79 countries or territories, including Canada, on June 1 and 2. Passing a series of three, day-long, practice-oriented exams over at least three years is one of the major requirements for earning the CFA charter.