Job candidates in Asia are beefing up their resumes.
Almost 60,416 people in the Asia-Pacific region will take a Chartered Financial Analyst exam this month, up by almost 4,000, or 7%, over last year, according to enrollment data released by the CFA Institute, a nonprofit group that administers the certification.
In comparison, 52,131 candidates signed up in the Americas, roughly the same amount as last year.
"In Asia in particular, we've just seen a thirst for education and credentials," said Tom Robinson, managing director of education for the group. "There's a strong interest there in adding qualifications to a resume."
The Institue also reported a slight registration bump in Europe, the Middle East and Africa where 32,289 people signed up for the test, a 3% increase over last year.
Becoming a CFA requires passing three separate tests. The "level I" exam is offered each year in December and June. The level II and III tests are only offered in June.
Only 46% of those who took the level III test last year passed, the smallest percentage on record. Pass rates on the Level I test did not dip below 40% until 2004; in December, the success rate on that initial exam was 36%.
Test registrations have peaked in recent years, as the recession prompted finance workers to scramble for additional credentials.
There is some evidence, however, that demand for the certification is waning in the Americas. Level I registrations increased yet again this month, but there was a decline in candidates for the second and third exams, according to Robinson.
"You have had some people who have exited the profession, so perhaps they've decided not to continue the process," he said.
Write to Kyle Stock