Identify gaps, sharpen your approach, and stay ahead.
Take the Readiness QuizCPEP™ elevates your knowledge and employer appeal and brings you up to the same knowledge level that top Private Equity and Venture Capital firms expect. It accelerates the career growth of professionals already working in the private equity space. Better still, it prepares graduating finance, accounting and business students best for quick, impressive starts to their careers in this industry.
The CPEP™ exam usually assesses candidates' grasp of definitions, concepts, principles, analysis methods, essential best practices, decision contexts, and the application of this knowledge in analysis and decision-making across various roles in the alternative investments industry. This covers positions in the forefront, documentation, and leadership, spanning a wide range of work scenarios within the industry.
Among the most esteemed global Private Equity credentials, the CPEP™ charter ratifies and stamps your potential and promise of handling even the most complex of roles and assignments in the private equity domain.
If you're aiming to succeed in the fiercely competitive finance industry, whether you're an aspiring or experienced private equity professional, you must possess the knowledge and abilities required. CPEP™ is tailored to provide you with the expertise and practical skills in the private equity domain necessary to propel your career forward. Whether you're currently working, a student, transitioning to this field, or beginning a career in it, the CPEP™ presents an avenue for progress and the achievement of your professional aspirations.
Working professionals, MBA students, and holders of other premier credentials can all register for CPEP™. The four registration tracks open CPEP™ for aspirants with diverse educational and work backgrounds having a prior exposure to financial analysis, capital markets, accounting and investing.
MBA/ Master’s in Finance/ Accounting with at least two years of professional experience in investment banking, M&A, private equity, financial engineering, or a similar function.
Bachelor’s degree with a major in Finance or accounting with at least three years of professional experience in investment banking, M&A, private equity, financial engineering, or a similar function.
Students of MBA/ Master’s programs in business schools and institutions recognized by USPEC or by any of the other global accreditation bodies like the AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.
Currently working in any of the finance sub-functions with a Bachelor's degree and an active CFA, CIMA (USA), CMA, CIBP, FRM credential, or a similar global certification.
Latest handbooks, online examination facility, digital badge, printed certificate, lapel pin and shipping of all material - everything is included in the registration package of CPEP™.
All candidates of the CPEP™ get an exam-preparation kit containing the Mastering Private Equity Handbook and the Private Equity Casebook. These are the flagship learning and exam preparation resources containing exclusive content written for easy comprehension covering all dimensions of private equity knowledge and also for practicing applying important frameworks and concepts. No additional fee is charged for the learning resources from any candidate.
In addition to the official USPEC Handbooks, independent 3rd party content providers may offer candidates access separately to online resources to help them learn the latest in the field. The 3rd party content is not part of the CPEP™ package and is NOT prescribed as mandatory reading for the CPEP™ charter exam. The 3rd-party content is not connected to CPEP™ exams. USPEC is neither responsible for the quality of any 3rd-party content nor involved in its development or access. Candidates are free to choose if they want to study 3rd party content to expand their perspective or avoid it.
Examinees enjoy the convenience of choosing their preferred test location, be it in the comfort of their homes or within the office space, once they have adequately prepared. The first exam attempt is inclusive in the registration fee, eliminating the need for any additional payments.
Candidates who successfully pass their examination, receive a printed certificate, welcome letter, lapel pin and code of ethics booklet shipped to them in a credential kit.
USPEC provides a digital certificate of your CPEP™ Charter accomplishment, issued through our partner, CredBadge.
After successfully passing the CPEP™ exam, you will receive an email with your digital badge link to display your achievement. You can also access the link to your digital badge anytime by logging in to your myUSPEC dashboard.
Digital Badge not only maximizes your profile visibility through social sharing, but it also adds distinction to your profile, being individually verifiable by a prospective employer or client.
The first-time shipping of Learning Resource and Credential Kit is covered under the CPEP™ Charter fee. Duplicate certificates will be shipped on charges as applicable.
Need more details? Consult an Advisor today.
The fee is all-inclusive and covers the official exam-study handbooks, the credential kit - which includes the CPEP™ certificate and designation pin, along with a digital badge - and shipping expenses. It is important to note, however, that this fee does not account for any special local taxes, duties, levies, or any other applicable charges in the recipient's country. The fee is subject to change without prior notice. Refund requests made within 24 hours of making the payment will be subject to a processing charge of USD 80. No refunds will be issued for registration cancellation requests made after 24 hours of registration.
This fee does not cover the training fee charged by training companies, universities, or other institutions that offer CPEP™ exam preparation training. Independent content providers may offer additional online content and reading resources that are not part of the CPEP™ Exam Preparation Kit. These resources are not prescribed by USPEC. Furthermore, USPEC does not exercise control over the fees charged by independent providers and is not responsible for the quality of their content. Please note that USPEC is a standards and credentialing body and is not responsible for training delivery. We do not govern any aspect of training/education nor mandate or control the training/program fee charged for the CPEP™ exam preparation by any training company, Institution, or education provider.
The books, learning kit, certificates etc., shown here in the image are only for illustration, and their design, colors etc., may change without notice. The certificate and the designation pin are awarded only after the passing of the exam. 3rd-party additional content is NOT part of the standard CPEP™ exam registration package.
The IFIS™-backed CPEP™ stands tall as an industry-focused credential primarily because it has been insightfully developed after extensive research and consultations with dozens of experienced and accomplished Private Equity experts from around the world, including chief investment officers, principal partners, fund managers, and investment principals - the same people who eventually hire talents for their Private Equity firms.
CPEP™ exam covers 22 essential areas of knowledge and skills demanded of professionals in the private equity and alternative investing space. The CPEP™ exam assesses candidates understanding of essential definitions, concepts, principles, frameworks, analysis techniques, and industry best practices. It further evaluates their ability to apply this knowledge effectively in analysis and decision-making across a broad range of frontline, documentation, and leadership responsibilities.
90 Minutes
CPEP™ Exam is completely online and digitally proctored. You can take the exam anywhere, even at home or in your office. You'll need your computer to be ExamStrong™ compliant prior to taking the exam.
Online
50
Multi-Choice-Single-answer; Multi-Choice-Multi-answer
65% correct answers; though awards will actually be decided using an algorithm that accounts for scaling, relative scoring, and degree of difficulty parameters
Note: Submission of Assignment 1 and Assignment 2 is mandatory to appear for your CPEP™ Exam.
Read more About Examination Talk to an AdvisorThe CPEP™ program is fully self-paced, allowing you to pursue it alongside your academic, professional, or personal commitments.
Yes. Once you earn the CPEP™ Charter, it remains valid for a lifetime with no renewal requirements.
Yes. The CPEP™ exam is conducted entirely online and can be taken from your home, office, or any other suitable private location.
Candidates from any academic background may apply for the CPEP™ Charter if they meet one of the defined eligibility tracks. The program includes pathways for individuals who hold recognized professional credentials such as CFA, CIMA (USA), CMA, CIBP, or FRM, or who possess relevant academic qualifications or professional experience. Please read more about eligibility here.
Yes, professionals holding a Bachelor's or Master's degree along with an active credential from a recognized body are eligible for the CPEP™ program, subject to the applicable eligibility track.
Yes. The CPEP™ Charter is a globally recognized qualification in private equity and alternative investments and is valued by professionals working across leading private equity and venture capital firms.
It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions covering both conceptual knowledge and applied/analytical scenarios to be completed within 90 minutes.
The CPEP™ exam covers a comprehensive range of topics across private equity and investment analysis, including private equity fundamentals, deal sourcing and evaluation, financial modelling, valuation techniques, leveraged buyouts (LBOs), due diligence, portfolio management, and exit strategies. It also tests understanding of applied and analytical concepts through real-world scenarios. For more information, please click here.