Last updated: 10 October 2026 · By Yashna Bhuwania (ARN-325085)
Quick answer: Register at NISM's certification portal, cert.nism.ac.in. Create an account with your PAN scan, photo, address proof, email and mobile, and wait up to 48 hours for NISM to approve it. Then log in, click Enroll, choose the exam (Series 5A for mutual fund distributors), pick a test centre, date and slot, and pay online. The admit card arrives after enrolment.
What do you need before you register?
Keep these ready as JPEG/JPG files, each under 1 MB:
- PAN card scan. NISM issues your certificate only after it verifies your PAN.
- A recent colour photograph. It is printed on your admit card and certificate.
- Proof of address. If you use Aadhaar, mask the number.
- Your education and employment details, plus an email and mobile number you can verify by OTP.
For exam day you will also need an original photo ID: PAN, Aadhaar, driving licence or passport.
How do you register for a NISM exam, step by step?
Part 1: Create your account (once)
- Go to cert.nism.ac.in and click Create new Account.
- Enter your personal details and upload your PAN scan and photo.
- Upload your address proof, enter your address and mobile number, and verify the mobile by OTP.
- Add education and employment details, review everything and click SUBMIT.
- Enter the captcha, give consent, and activate the account with the OTP sent to your email (check spam).
- Wait for approval. NISM verifies new accounts within 48 hours. You get a NISM registration number to use in all later correspondence.
Part 2: Book the exam
- Log in with your email and password and click Enroll, then Examination.
- Select the exam. Series 5A has separate English and Hindi options; pick the language here.
- Choose the city and test centre, select a date range to see free seats, and pick a slot.
- Click Pay Now and pay by credit or debit card, net banking or UPI.
- You get confirmation by email and SMS. Download your admit card from the portal (soft copy only) and print it or keep it on your phone.
Bookings close 48 hours before the exam date. Your enrolment stays valid for 180 days; if you do not take the exam in that time, the fee is lost.
Source: NISM's registration guide and candidate instructions.
How much are the NISM exam fees?
Fees for the exams a mutual fund distributor is most likely to take, as of 8 October 2026. Payment gateway charges are extra.
| Exam | Who it's for | Fee | Questions / time | Pass mark | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 5A: Mutual Fund Distributors | Anyone getting an ARN | ₹1,500 | 100 / 2 hours | 50% | None |
| Series 5B: Mutual Fund Foundation | Restricted to postal, retired govt/bank/teacher staff, | ₹1,200 | 50 / 2 hours | 50% | None |
| Series 5D: MF and SIF Distributors | Distributors who also want to sell SIFs | ₹3,000 | 150 / 3 hours | 60% | 10% |
| Series 21A: PMS Distributors | Distributors adding PMS | ₹1,500 | 2 hours | 60% | 10% |
| Series 8: Equity Derivatives | Those dealing in equity derivatives | ₹1,500 | 2 hours | 60% | 25% |
All five certificates are valid for 3 years. Source: NISM certifications list.
Can you take the NISM exam online?
No. NISM stopped remote-proctored exams on 1 January 2023 (notice). Registration and payment are online, but the exam is taken only at a NISM test centre. Only the eCPE renewal programme can be done from home.
Can you reschedule or cancel a NISM exam?
- Reschedule: yes, from your own login, at least 4 days before the exam. NISM's candidate instructions allow it once, so treat your second date as final. No fee is listed.
- Cancel: no. Fees are not refunded once you enrol, and you cannot switch to a different exam.
- Miss the exam: the fee is forfeited, with no refund or reschedule.
- Refunds happen only if your account was debited but enrolment failed, you were charged twice, or NISM could not hold the exam for technical reasons. Gateway charges are not refunded.
Source: NISM refund and rescheduling policy and candidate instructions.
What are the common NISM registration problems?
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| "This email-id already exists" | You registered before. Use FORGOT PASSWORD on the login page instead of a new account. |
| Account not approved after 48 hours | Check your email (and spam) for a message from NISM saying a document was improper. Re-upload it from Edit Profile. |
| PAN or photo rejected | You can replace them in Edit Profile only while they show "NOT VERIFIED". Upload a clear JPEG under 1 MB. |
| Payment deducted, enrolment not confirmed | Check My Transactions. If it shows unsuccessful, NISM refunds automatically within 6–7 working days. If not, email certification@nism.ac.in with your transaction number and receipt. |
| Admit card not received | Look under My Enrollments on the portal; admit cards are soft copy only. If missing, contact the helpdesk. |
| Name on ID doesn't match registration | Fix it before exam day. NISM can refuse entry for a mismatch and mark you absent, with no refund. |
NISM certification helpdesk: 8080806476 or certification@nism.ac.in.
What should you do after registering?
Start preparing. Our NISM Series 5A exam guide covers the syllabus weightage and a 30-day study plan. Dhan Saarthi also offers free 5A test prep and a mock test. Once you pass, apply for your ARN: see the ARN registration guide.
Sources
- NISM certification portal
- NISM: Registration and enrolment guide
- NISM: Certifications list (fees and pattern)
- NISM: Candidate instructions
- NISM: Refund and rescheduling policy
- NISM: Refund policy
Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully. Distribution services are offered through Khazana Fintech Pvt. Ltd. (AMFI ARN – 325085). Portal steps and fees are as of October 2026; check NISM before you register.
