CFOA Direct · Self-paced certification
The complete self-paced path to the Certified Futures & Options Analyst credential.
Instant access · No cohorts · Guaranteed exam registrationWhy CFOA Direct
Study anytime, anywhere. No fixed schedules, no cohorts, no deadlines.
Skip applications and waiting lists. Full access lands within 24 hours.
No prerequisites or level progression. You can take and sit the exam whenever you are ready.
TrendUp is the only ICFDT-authorized provider of official CFOA exam prep.
Complete the program and don't pass? We refund 100% of your training fee.
Every module is built to help you pass, and to think like a market practitioner.
How it works
No application required. Complete checkout and you're in.
Login details for all prep materials arrive within 24 hours.
Work through video lessons, quizzes and practice exams with no deadlines.
Sit the official CFOA exam online, with remote proctoring, when you're ready.
What you get
The guarantee
Complete the program and fail the exam on your first attempt, and we refund every dollar of your $590 training fee. We can offer that because we're confident in the material.
The refund covers the $590 training fee paid to TrendUp.
Compare your options
| Feature | CFOA Direct | TrendUp L-Program |
|---|---|---|
| Self-paced access | Yes | Semi-fixed dates |
| Video lessons & quizzes | Yes | Yes |
| Live cohort sessions | No | Yes |
| 1:1 mentorship | No | Yes |
| Career placement / SRP | No | Yes |
| Guaranteed exam access | Yes | Yes (if progressing) |
| Sponsored CFOA exam version | No | Yes |
| ICFDT authorized provider | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $590One-time, lifetime access | $1,497Standard rate, student discounts available |
Simple, transparent pricing
The exam fee is separate, so you only pay it when you're ready.
Your $590 gives you lifetime access to all training. You register and pay the ICFDT exam fee only when you decide to sit the exam, with no pressure to commit upfront.
Frequently asked questions
No. Unlike the TrendUp L-Program, CFOA Direct is open enrollment. You can enroll and start immediately.
CFOA Direct is a self-paced, exam-focused route for people who want to prepare for and pass the Certified Futures & Options Analyst exam on their own schedule, without deadlines, cohorts or recruiting components. It includes full access to exam prep materials, but not career support, live mentorship, or eligibility for the SRP or job portal.
The L-Program is a cohort-based experience with three structured levels (L1 to L3), mentorship, career development, live sessions and a sponsored exam attempt. It's designed to build both technical mastery and buy-side readiness, with top performers invited to the SRP internships and post-program opportunities.
No. CFOA Direct is a streamlined, self-paced prep program designed solely to help you pass the CFOA exam. It does not include mentorship or career placement support; those are part of the L-Program.
That said, top performers in CFOA Direct may be invited to an SRP bridge assessment, which can open the door to the SRP and further opportunities.
No. CFOA Direct gives you full access to all the training you need to pass the exam, without going through Level 1, cohort progression or mentorship.
Yes, it's 100% self-paced. You can study whenever and however you want. There are no fixed start dates, deadlines or time pressure.
After completing your prep, you'll schedule the 100-question CFOA exam directly through our prep platform. It can be taken online with remote proctoring, and you choose the date and time.
Top performers in the CFOA examination may be invited to an SRP bridge assessment, which can open the door to the SRP and further opportunities. This is by invitation only and requires an application and successful completion of the bridge assessment components.
No. When you complete the course you'll be able to register for the standard CFOA examination, not a sponsored version.
CFOA Direct includes support to handle common questions about the content.
Independent learners and busy professionals: people who want full control over their schedule, don't need mentorship or career placement, and want guaranteed access to exam training and certification.
No. Student discounts are only available for the L-Program, for eligible current university students and recent graduates.
The $590 program fee gives you lifetime access to all training. The $390 exam fee is paid separately to the ICFDT, so you only register and pay when you're ready to sit the exam. You're not locked into paying upfront, and you have the flexibility to prepare at your own pace before committing to the assessment.
We're confident our prep material is the best resource for CFOA certification, so we offer a money-back guarantee if you complete the entire CFOA Direct program and fail the exam on your first attempt. To qualify, you must complete all course lessons and quizzes before taking the exam, take the exam within six months of enrollment, and provide proof of failure from the ICFDT portal. The refund covers the $590 paid to TrendUp for the training program.
Yes. Unlike L-Program graduates, CFOA Direct candidates sit the full version of the CFOA exam, so the program offers high-quality training materials for all four modules.
You'll be sent an email with your login details within 24 hours of placing your order.
Start today
Fast access. Complete training. No prerequisites. Official ICFDT-authorized preparation, with a money-back guarantee behind it.