SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C.

                                    FORM 8-A


               FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                     FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII
           ---------------------------------------------------------

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              MASSACHUSETTS                           See Exhibit 1
----------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
(State of Incorporation or Organization)  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois            60187
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       (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                (Zip Code)

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

            TITLE OF EACH CLASS               NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH
            TO BE SO REGISTERED               EACH CLASS IS TO BE REGISTERED

   Common Shares of Beneficial Interest,             NYSE Arca, Inc.
        $0.01 par value per share,
                    of
      EquityCompass Risk Manager ETF

   Common Shares of Beneficial Interest,             NYSE Arca, Inc.
        $0.01 par value per share,
                    of
          EquityCompass Tactical
             Risk Manager ETF

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A. (c), check the following box.-- [X]

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A. (d), check the following box.-- [ ]

Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates:
333-210186.





Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                      None
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                      TITLE OF EACH CLASS TO BE REGISTERED

                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

      The securities to be registered hereunder are common shares of beneficial
interest, $0.01 par value per share (the "Shares"), of EquityCompass Risk
Manager ETF and EquityCompass Tactical Risk Manager ETF, (the "Funds"), each a
series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the "Registrant"). An
application for listing of the Shares of each Fund has been filed with and
approved by NYSE Arca, Inc. A description of the Shares is contained in the
Prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(Registration Nos. 333-210186 and 811-23147), filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on January 18, 2017. Such description is incorporated by
reference herein.

ITEM 2. EXHIBITS

      Pursuant to the "Instruction as to Exhibits" of Form 8-A, no exhibits are
filed herewith or incorporated by reference.





                                   SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

                                      FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII

                                      By: /s/ W. Scott Jardine
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          W. Scott Jardine, Secretary

April 10, 2017





                                   Exhibit 1

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                                                              I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                           FUND                              IDENTIFICATION NO.
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EquityCompass Risk Manager ETF                                   30-0959060
----------------------------------------------------------  --------------------
EquityCompass Tactical Risk Manager ETF                          32-0512981
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