HKSI exam registration: fees, dates and results for Papers 1, 7 and 8
You enrol for the HKSI Licensing Examination through the HKSI Institute Online Portal or mobile app, then schedule a computer-based session within 90 days of enrolling. At the Hong Kong centre, checked in November 2026, Paper 1 costs HK$1,800 and Papers 7 and 8 cost HK$1,620 each, more than the 2024 handbook listed. You see whether you passed on screen as soon as the session ends.
How to enrol
- Enrol on or before the enrolment deadline through the HKSI Institute Online Portal or the HKSI Institute mobile app. Offline (hardcopy) enrolment carries an administration fee.
- Choose the paper and the venue before paying: the Hong Kong Examination Centre or a Global Examination Centre (run by Prometric).
- Schedule your session. It must take place within 90 days of the enrolment date, and seats are first come, first served. If you do not schedule before the scheduling deadline, you are marked absent and lose the fee.
Papers 1, 7 and 8 run monthly at the Hong Kong centre. For exact dates and deadlines, use HKSI's examination schedule. HKSI also runs the exam in Chinese Mainland and Taiwan.
Fees in 2026
| Paper | Questions / time | Hong Kong centre | Global centres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 60 / 90 min | HK$1,800 | HK$2,250 |
| Paper 7 | 60 / 90 min | HK$1,620 | HK$2,070 |
| Paper 8 | 40 / 60 min | HK$1,620 | HK$2,070 |
Source: HKSI Licensing Examination page, checked 4 November 2026. All three papers at the Hong Kong centre come to HK$5,040.
Fees have gone up. HKSI's June 2024 Examination Handbook listed Paper 1 at HK$1,475 and Papers 7 and 8 at HK$1,330. Older articles may quote those figures, so check HKSI's page before you pay.
The fee includes a free eStudy Guide in English and Chinese, available until your exam date. Non-candidates pay HK$400 for it.
Rescheduling and withdrawal
- Rescheduling: free for Papers 1, 7 and 8, to another session within 90 days of enrolment, for the same paper and mode, up to six full days before your session.
- Withdrawal: also up to six full days before the session. You get the fee back minus a HK$500 administration fee, paid within 30 days.
On the day
Bring an original, physical government photo ID showing your name in English, such as an HKID card or passport. Mainland resident ID cards without an English name, and digital IDs, are not accepted. Latecomers are not admitted more than 30 minutes after admission starts.
Questions are in English and Traditional Chinese; the exam system's interface is in English. Calculators are allowed only in Papers 7 to 12 (approved models or the on-screen calculator). Paper 1 is not on the calculator list.
Key point: you must sit within 90 days of enrolling and book your session before the scheduling deadline. Miss it and the fee is gone.
Results
Results are PASS, FAIL or ABSENT. Computer-based candidates see their grade on screen straight after the session. The Notification of Results and a Performance Analysis can then be downloaded from the portal or app within a specified timeframe, and stay available for one year. The pass mark is 70% for each paper: 42 of 60 questions for Papers 1 and 7, and 28 of 40 for Paper 8.
To query a result, make a written rechecking request within 21 working days of the results release. There is an administration fee, and HKSI normally replies within 7 working days.
For retake arrangements after a fail, check the latest rules in HKSI's examination policies or ask HKSI directly.
HKSI publishes monthly pass rates for its Hong Kong centre. The 12-month averages from October 2025 to September 2026 were 49.98% for Paper 1, 67.01% for Paper 7 and 65.38% for Paper 8. About half of Paper 1 candidates do not pass at a sitting, so allow time and money for a possible second attempt.
After you pass: the licence application
Passing the exam is not the same as being licensed. You and the licensed corporation employing you apply jointly through the SFC's WINGS-LIC system. According to the SFC's application procedures page (checked November 2026), a licensed representative application costs HK$1,790 per regulated activity and a provisional licence application HK$800. The SFC's performance pledge is 8 weeks for a normal representative application and 7 business days for a provisional licence. Bank staff are registered through their bank instead.
Before you pay
Not everyone needs all three papers, and some people are exempt. Check which papers you need and exemptions first. HKSI estimates 40 to 85 hours of self-study per paper (2024 handbook). Plan around the 90-day window with a study plan, and use ExamDuck's timed mocks to get used to the exam pace.
FAQ
How much does HKSI Paper 1 cost?
HK$1,800 at the Hong Kong centre and HK$2,250 at global centres, as checked in November 2026.
How long after enrolling must I sit the exam?
Within 90 days of the enrolment date. If you do not schedule before the deadline you are marked absent and lose the fee.
Can I reschedule an HKSI exam?
Yes, free of charge for Papers 1, 7 and 8, to another session within 90 days of enrolment, up to six full days before your session.
When do I get my result?
Computer-based candidates see PASS or FAIL on screen right after the session. The Notification of Results is downloadable from the portal afterwards.
Can I get a refund if I withdraw?
If you withdraw at least six full days before the session, you get the fee back minus a HK$500 administration fee.