HKSI LE Exam Fees: What Each Paper Costs
Updated · 4 min read
Licensing Examination fees are charged per paper, per attempt. Some employers reimburse them, but many new joiners pay up front, and a failed attempt means paying again. Here is what each paper costs, what a typical route adds up to, and the smaller charges people forget.
Fees change
Fee per paper
| Paper | Hong Kong examination centre | Global examination centres |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1, Fundamentals of Securities and Futures Regulation | HKD1,800 | HKD2,250 |
| Papers 2 to 6 and 18 (regulatory papers) | HKD2,000 | HKD2,450 |
| Papers 7 to 12 (practical papers) | HKD1,620 | HKD2,070 |
| Paper 19 (depositary services) | HKD2,000 | HKD2,450 |
| Papers 15, 16 and 17 (sponsors, takeovers) | HKD2,000 | HKD2,450 |
Global examination centres are run by Prometric outside Hong Kong and cost HKD450 more per paper at the rates above. The fee includes the eStudy Guide for that paper, downloadable from enrolment until your exam date.
Hong Kong centre or global centre
If you live in Hong Kong, the HKSI Institute centre is the cheaper option and Paper 1 runs there monthly. The global centres suit candidates based elsewhere who would otherwise fly in. Choose carefully at enrolment: HKSI’s free rescheduling applies only within the same mode, so moving between a Hong Kong session and a global one is not a simple reschedule.
What a full route costs
Which papers you need depends on your role and qualifications. Three common routes, at the rates above:
| Route | Hong Kong centre | Global centre |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 only (most new representatives with a relevant degree) | HKD1,800 | HKD2,250 |
| Papers 1, 7 and 8 (representative without a qualifying degree) | HKD5,040 | HKD6,390 |
| Papers 1, 2, 7 and 8 (Type 1, 4 or 8 responsible officer needing the RIQ) | HKD7,040 | HKD8,840 |
If you have a degree in accounting, business administration, economics, finance or law, or a qualification such as CFA, CIIA or CFP, the SFC Guidelines on Competence (October 2024) treat you as meeting the industry-qualification requirement for a representative licence. That can take Papers 7 and 8 off your bill. See do I need Paper 7 and 8?
Trap
Other charges to know
| Charge | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Withdrawal | Fee refunded minus HKD500 | Withdraw at least six full days before the session |
| Missed scheduling deadline, absence or lateness | Full fee lost | No refund or transfer |
| Rescheduling | Free | Same paper and mode, six full days ahead, within 90 days of enrolment |
| Statement of Results | HKD300 | Replacing a lost result, within seven years of the exam |
| Results rechecking | See HKSI fee schedule | Request within 21 working days of results; refunded if the result was wrong |
| eStudy Guide bought without enrolling | HKD200 members, HKD400 non-members | Only if you want the guide before you enrol |
Keeping the cost down
- Confirm with your firm which papers your licence application needs before enrolling for any.
- Ask whether your employer reimburses exam fees. Some firms do; check the conditions.
- Enrol only when you are four to six weeks from ready, so the 90-day window does not lapse.
- Use reschedules (free) rather than withdrawals (HKD500 deducted) if your date slips.
- Sit timed mocks before the real exam: a pass first time is the cheapest outcome.
For practice, HKSI Prep has a free mock and a one-time pass from HK$298 for a month, with no auto-renewal. See pricing or start with the free mock. For the enrolment steps, read how to register.
Takeaway
HKSI Prep is an independent study tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by HKSI Institute or the SFC. Fees are HKSI’s and can change; confirm on hksi.org.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the HKSI Paper 1 exam fee?
HKD1,800 at the Hong Kong examination centre and HKD2,250 at global examination centres, as shown on hksi.org (checked 11 October 2026). HKSI can change its fees; check before you pay.
How much do HKSI Papers 7 and 8 cost?
HKD1,620 each at the Hong Kong examination centre and HKD2,070 each at global centres, as shown on hksi.org (checked 11 October 2026).
Do I have to pay again if I fail the HKSI exam?
Yes. Each attempt is a new enrolment at the full fee for that paper.
Is the HKSI study guide included in the exam fee?
Yes. HKSI provides the eStudy Guide free on enrolment, available until your exam date. Bought separately it costs HKD200 for members and HKD400 for non-members (hksi.org, checked 11 October 2026).
Go deeper: the study notes
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