To be eligible for the CEFS program, you must have completed high school (or its equivalent in your country) and possess a solid understanding of high school-level math and English. Additionally, you are responsible for ensuring that you meet any age-related requirements for online learning under your country’s laws.

No. Work experience is not required for registration or for earning the CEFS certificate.

Yes, you can. While students at partner institutions or those with IAEBM Academic Fellows on campus may have easier access to information and support, CEFS is open to all qualified individuals. You are welcome to contact us directly for guidance on registration, scholarships, or other program details.

English is the official language for all IAEBM programs and communication. However, we believe language should be a tool—not a barrier. Our primary focus is on economic, financial, and business knowledge, not English proficiency itself. We strive to make our programs accessible and flexible for learners from diverse language backgrounds. Specific language accommodations may vary by country or region. For details, please contact our Support Team at info@iaebm.org or inquire with your IAEBM Academic Fellow.

In most cases, a solid understanding of high school-level English, based on your country’s national education system, is sufficient to succeed in the program.

Yes. Language accommodations vary by region and are prioritized for widely spoken languages among our students. For example, we aim to provide translations for registration and certification documents; administrative communications; student inquiries and responses, and so forth. We typically do not offer translations for lecture slides (PPTs) or test and quiz questions. However, students are allowed and encouraged to use dictionaries or modern AI translation tools on their own to better learn the course contents if needed. Again, the program’s focus is on mastering content in economics, finance, and business—not English fluency.

As a non-profit organization, IAEBM does not endorse or partner with any commercial AI tools. Students are free to decide whether to use AI for language assistance and to choose whichever tool best suits their needs. For informational purposes only, faculty and staff at IAEBM may use various AI tools for translation support, including ChatGPT, Deepseek, Copilot, Gemini, Yiyan, and others. Please note that IAEBM has no financial affiliation with any of these platforms. Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure accurate understanding of all English-language materials in the CEFS curriculum.

Yes. IAEBM offers funding supports and scholarships, with a focus on students from underrepresented or underserved groups—such as U.S. community college students, First Nations students in Canada, and international students in developing countries. Scholarship availability and criteria may change over time, so we recommend contacting us directly or reaching out to an IAEBM Academic Fellow at your university for the most up-to-date information.

If you’re registering through our official IAEBM website, you will need a credit card that supports payment in U.S. dollars. If you’re enrolling through a special channel that is country- or region-based (e.g., using a special registration code), alternative payment options may be available. Please consult your IAEBM Academic Fellow or contact our support team for details.

Once your registration is approved, your payment is received, and you’re issued login credentials to your online learning system, you’ll have seven (7) calendar days to try the program. If it doesn’t match your learning needs or goals, you may request a refund of your net payment, minus any processing or currency conversion fees (typically under 5%). Refund requests made after this period will not be accepted unless required by law.

Yes. Registration is open year-round. However, during peak periods—such as the start of academic semesters—processing times may be slightly longer.

In general, yes. Students are expected to complete the CEFS program within six months of registration. Our records show that over 90% of students successfully complete the program within this period. If you need more time, you can always contact your teaching assistant to discuss possible extensions.

Typically, the total study time to finish the program, complete the tests, and get the certificate ranges from 30 to 90 hours, depending on your prior academic background. For more details and suggestions, please see the Expected Timeline page.

All required materials are provided in our online Learning Management System (LMS). Once you register, you’ll receive a username and password to access the platform. No additional textbook purchases are necessary, though you’re welcome to use other resources if you find them helpful.

Good question. Absolutely yes. Every student is assigned an Academic Advisor and one or two Teaching Assistants (TAs). Your Academic Advisor is responsible for managing your curriculum and making course requirements, reviewing your test performance, and making the final decision on awarding your certificate. Your TAs are available to answer questions about the learning materials, help you prepare for quizzes, and assist with any administrative tasks. If you have questions or need assistance, you should contact your TAs first. If an issue falls outside TA’s scope, they will refer you to your Advisor or other IAEBM staff.

In the CEFS program, students’ evaluations are based on their scores of multiple tests or quizzes, rather than one single Exam at the end. Specifically, to earn the CEFS certificate, you must complete six Modules consisting of 30 course Units, each with a quiz. You must meet both of the following criteria: (1) an average score of 80% or higher across all 30 quizzes; (2) a minimum score of 60% on each quiz. If you do not meet these requirements on your first attempt, your Academic Advisor will contact you to discuss options for a one-time make-up opportunity.

All tests and quizzes are conducted online, are open-book, and are self-paced. While specific formats and policies may be updated from time to time, the focus remains on applying concepts, not simple memorization. Full details of the test policies and requirements will be available in your course materials upon registration.

No. You may take those online quizzes at your own pace. However, we recommend creating a study plan and distributing your quiz completion evenly throughout your planned study time to stay on track.

Each quiz allows only one attempt. After you complete all course units and quizzes, your Academic Advisor will review your overall performance. If you do not meet the certificate requirements, you will be given one make-up opportunity. Your Academic Advisor will discuss available make-up options with you. In most cases, your Advisor or TAs will help you review the areas where you struggled and provide additional quizzes to help you fulfill the certificate requirements. Thanks to the dedicated support of our Advisors and TAs, the final dropout rate in the CEFS program is very low—typically under 5%.

All certificates issued by IAEBM are typically written in English, with select elements—such as our institutional motto—presented in Latin. While the official certificate is in English, we may offer language options on our certificate-verification webpage and can provide an official translated copy upon request. For more information or assistance, please contact our customer service team at the time you complete the program.

Both. However, the timing for receiving each format is different. Once the IAEBM Academic Board confirms that you have met all program requirements, you will receive an electronic certificate via email within five business days, and your certificate will be available for verification through our official verification system. A printed certificate will also be mailed to you free of charge during the next IAEBM Assembly in your country or region. The schedule of Assemblies is as follows: United States and Canada, held seasonally; China and the European Union, held twice a year; Most other regions, held annually. Please note: In some cases, the Assembly for your country may be conducted in a neighboring country. For example, New Zealand is covered by the Assembly in Australia, and most South American countries are covered by the Assembly in Argentina.

The CEFS certificate is valid for life. Anyone can verify your certificate on the official IAEBM website at this link, using your name and certificate number—unless you’ve chosen to opt out of the public verification system.

Many past CEFS certificate holders have received recommendation letter from their IAEBM Academic Advisors after they asked for it, which proved helpful for graduate school or job applications. However, please be understanding that writing such letters is not part of IAEBM’s official service or the contractual duties of our advisors. While you are welcome—and encouraged—to reach out to your advisor with such a request, please understand that it is at their discretion and cannot be guaranteed.