How much does AFA certification cost?
This is one of the first questions any candidate asks, and the answer boils down to one key distinction: there are two different costs, which must not be confused. On the one hand, there are the exam fees, paid to the official body. On the other, there is the cost of your preparation, which is entirely up to you.
Exam fees, paid to the VBV
The exam is organised by the VBV, the official AFA examination body. These fees are paid directly to the VBV and are entirely separate from any preparation platform such as Caelys. They depend on the module:
| Module | Exam fees |
|---|---|
| General skills and knowledge | 400 CHF |
| Health and supplementary insurance | 100 CHF |
| Non-life insurance | 100 CHF |
| Life insurance | 200 CHF |
A candidate who sits all four modules and passes them all at the first attempt therefore pays a total of 800 CHF in examination fees. This is the minimum cost required to complete the certification.
The hidden cost: retaking a module
The figure of 800 CHF assumes that each module is passed at the first attempt. In the event of a fail, the cost can rise, and the difference varies greatly depending on the module.
In this case, the rules vary from one module to another. The General Skills and Knowledge module is the most expensive to retake in the event of a fail: retaking it requires paying the 400 CHF fee again. The most likely explanation is that this module unlocks access to all the others, so the organisation treats it separately. Conversely, a second attempt at the non-life module was passed without any additional cost.
The official FAQ states, in general terms, that retaking an exam does not incur any further charges. However, experience shows that this is not true for all modules, starting with the first one. So do not rely on a single rule: before re-registering, check the specific rules for your module with the organisation.
One important point, incidentally: these rules are subject to change. The certification scheme was overhauled in 2025 and 2026, and what is free or subject to a fee today may well change in the coming months. This page describes the situation as we currently understand it, for guidance only; it is never a substitute for the official conditions in force on the day of your enrolment, which are the only ones that are binding.
For Health and Supplementary Insurance, as well as for Life Insurance, the conditions for retaking the exam have not been confirmed to us in writing: never assume that a fail is free of charge until you have checked with the organisation at the time of your registration.
The lesson is simple: the real cost isn’t taking the exam; it’s failing it. A module that’s well prepared and passed at the first attempt saves you as much as a thorough preparation course costs.
The cost of preparation
Preparation, on the other hand, is a separate and optional investment: you’re under no obligation to practise, but any candidate who has failed will tell you that sitting the exam without a proper strategy often amounts to paying the exam fees twice.
At Caelys, you choose only the modules that apply to you, and the price is adjusted according to the number of modules. Full details are on the pricing page, with the option to take a single module or the full set at a discounted rate.
Key points to remember
- 800 CHF in exam fees for all four modules, passed at the first attempt.
- Failing is expensive, especially for the Skills module (400 CHF to be paid again).
- Preparation is a separate cost, but it’s what helps you avoid having to retake the exam.
Before registering for the exam, always check the current fees with the VBV: their figures are the authoritative ones, and amounts may change.